Being a chef is a hard job and working hard means that you hopefully get a great reward after. This has definitely been the case for me. I met Loyd Grossman in my restaurant Baity Kitchen a few years ago. He was a regular there on the weekends. I loved that he loved my place. I also love him as a person and for all the work he has done and continues to do. His sauces are the best out there!

He called me one day out of the blue to ask me what the hell happened to my restaurant as he was there and it was closed. I explained to him what had happened and left it at that.

A few months later, he got in touch with me regarding a piece that Waitrose and Spinneys were doing and I was asked to do a 5 page spread. It was great to showcase the food of Eid in a big publication in the Middle East.

We also collaborated on something a couple of times for a new website that was coming out called Grokker and I immediately said yes. I made several things and he loved them all. That was the most important thing for me. I cooked, Ijeh,, Sayyadiyeh and chicken freekeh salad, which can al be found on my app, Palestine On A Plate.

So the other day when I launched my app, I received this amazing message on Twitter from Loyd which totally turned my day into a great one. Its great to have support from anyone and especially from someone you respect a great deal.

Thank you Loyd!

With Love, From Palestine

Loyd Grossman and I