Middle Eats
After a pilgrimage to the Middle East, it hit me how much Australia was missing out on the beauty and depth of that culture. I had been to the Sydney Eid events and realized there was so much more we could do to connect Australians with this incredible culture. That's when Middle Eats was born—a platform to bring people together through food, music, art, and understanding.
I took a leap of faith and created a Facebook event, expecting around 500 attendees. But boy, was I in for a surprise! Over 6,000 people flocked to my COMMUNE venue in Waterloo. The Facebook event reached a staggering 700,000 views, with 20,000 clicking "attending." We had to close the queue after just 45 minutes because the place was packed. Some called it the best night of their lives, while others were disappointed they couldn't get in.
The following year, I decided to organize a series of ticketed Iftar dinners. Each night highlighted a different Middle Eastern culture, with talented cooks from Egypt, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Picture this: a long table for 50 people set up in the laneway at COMMUNE, adorned with festive lights, creating an atmosphere that transported us to a Cairo street. We shared meals, laughter, and truly experienced the spirit of the Middle East.
Buoyed by that success, I took on the challenge of organizing the second Eid in the City event. This time, I was more prepared and learned from past experiences. It was a ticketed and meticulously planned event. All 2,500 tickets sold out within four days of announcing it. The event went flawlessly—no hiccups whatsoever. But let me tell you, that first event was a true taste of the Middle East—beauty, amazing food, and a bit of controlled chaos.
The following year, something amazing happened. I was invited to hold the event in Sydney CBD during Vivid, and Auburn City Council offered to close the street in front of the Auburn Mosque for me to host it there as well. It was an overwhelming response to the idea I had sitting in the desert only a few years before. Unfortunately, due to COVID, the plans had to be put on hold for now.
Middle Eats is all about bringing cultures together, forging connections, and creating unforgettable memories. Join us on this incredible journey of discovery, celebration, and unity.
