"Food brings people together as a way of staying connected to loved ones, home, and memories and this is certainly true in Zaatari refugee camp. The simple ritual of cooking and eating provides a greater understanding of Syrian culture in Zaatari."

"The recipes in Zaatari are glorious. Their styles and flavours belong to Arab cooking traditions inherited from an old and glittering civilisation. What makes Zaatari extraordinary and poignant is that the food and stories come from a refugee camp in Jordan and we also get an intimate insight into the misery, culture, and joyful vitality of the camp through the voices of its inhabitants. Passed down the generations from mother to daughter, cooking keeps the people of Zaatari camp connected to the towns and villages of the Syria they fled."

"What a captivating book! Zaatari represented a source of emotional attachment for me, evoking the concept of home. It is an essential read for individuals with an appreciation for food; cultural diversity; and narratives of hope, inspiration and humanity. Zaatari serves as a forceful reminder of the remarkable capacity of food to enact change and promote unity, even in situations of adversity. I recommend this book to all those seeking to acquire knowledge of our Syrian cuisine and the culture associated with it."

"Zaatari: Culinary Traditions of the World's Largest Syrian Refugee Camp is more than a cookbook; it's a tribute to resilience, culture, and the unifying power of food. Fisher's dedication to preserving and sharing these culinary traditions is both inspiring and humbling."

"The book provides a fulsome portrait of the camp, its people, their histories and cultural traditions. A rich, bright tapestry emerges. Food is the primary theme, but not the only one."

"This is a comprehensive volume that richly rewards the reader, be they cook, anthropologist, historian, geographers, art lover or just plain armchair traveller."

Publisher: Goose Lane Editions

Pub date: 2024-01-30

Length: 272 pages