Sara Aqel

Chef Sara Aqel's culinary philosophy is deeply rooted in a community-driven, produce-led approach that reclaims and elevates Levantine cuisine through a modern Mediterranean lens. Her vision for Dara Dining in Amman is not merely to create meals, but to foster experiences centered on hospitality, storytelling, and cultural identity. She believes in cooking from the heart, sharing a love for food and feeding, and making Amman a destination renowned for its culinary ambition, envisioning a future where people fly to the city "for dinner." This ethos is a bridge between the city’s rich past and its vibrant future, reflecting a triumphant return to roots, seasonality, and community. Sustainability is not a marketing tool but an intrinsic value woven into every aspect of Dara Dining. Aqel collaborates extensively with a tight-knit network of small-scale farmers, local artisans, cheesemakers, and beekeepers across Jordan, aiming to source almost everything locally. This commitment means menus are dynamic, evolving roughly every two and a half months to reflect seasonal availability. When local sourcing isn't possible for certain proteins, she prioritizes neighboring countries before looking further afield. This practice extends beyond ingredients to the very fabric of the restaurant, including handcrafted ceramics from a women's collective in Iraq al-Amir, conscious hiring practices, fair working hours, and fostering mental and physical well-being. This generational approach reflects an inherent Jordanian identity where food waste is minimized, and resources are repurposed creatively. Her cooking is an artful blend of Mediterranean cuisine with Italian influences and traditional Levantine flavors, informed by global experiences from Hong Kong, Dubai, Miami, and Paris. Under the mentorship of chefs like Massimo Bottura, she learned the importance of creating freely and without boundaries, respectfully challenging culinary norms. While honoring traditional memories, Aqel's innovative approach aims to de-complicate dishes, allowing a "star ingredient" to truly shine, especially in her vegetarian offerings. This balance of nostalgia and modernity ensures that familiar ingredients are refined, and regional diet is translated into an international culinary language, all while embodying the warmth and generosity of Arab hospitality. Chef Sara Aqel's signature approach is defined by a precise yet personal style that artfully blends contemporary Mediterranean techniques with deep Levantine roots and Italian influences. She prioritizes "less is more," de-complicating dishes to allow star ingredients to shine, ensuring flavors come through authentically without being overthought or muddled. Her cooking emphasizes fresh, seasonal produce, often highlighting specific herbs and spices from her Jordanian-Palestinian upbringing—such as cinnamon, cardamom, and sumac—alongside Silk Road ingredients like soy sauce, Aleppo pepper, and duck. Plating and flavor profiles are characterized by simplicity, hearty textures, and warmth, always with a careful balance of sweet, salty, and tangy notes. Her most legendary signature dishes include: * **Gnocchi e caviar:** A dish celebrated for its simple flavors, hearty textures, and warmth, showcasing her talent in gnocchi making. * **Feta al Forno:** A top seller recognized for its captivating blend of sweet, salty, and tangy za'atar notes. * **Fish in Vine Leaves:** An homage to an old Gazan tradition, featuring daily sourced fresh fish from Aqaba wrapped in vine leaves and often served with seasonal gnocchi. * **Toasted bread and olive oil with wild za’atar:** Described as capturing the very essence of the Levantine region's landscape and culinary culture.

Career

• Chef at The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hong Kong
• Chef at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (La Capitale restaurant), Amman Governorate, Jordan
• Chef at Jumeirah Group/ Burj Al Arab/ Almuntaha Restaurant, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Chef at Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura at W Dubai - The Palm, Dubai, United Emirates
• Head Chef at Fi'lia at SLS Dubai, Global
• Executive Chef at Fi'lia at Ennismore (SLS Dubai), Global
• Executive Chef at Dara Dining by Sara Aqel, Amman, Jordan

Mentored by Massimo Bottura, Her Mother.