Born and Raised in Lebanon for 21 years, the land of cedar trees, olive trees and Mediterranean Sea. Home to the most generous and hospitable people I know. My work with Saj bread is a way to say thank you to my native land and people and bring their gifts to the world while infusing the generous spirit of the Appalachian land and people into our offerings. 

For many years, I have dreamt of having the Saj bread making culture in the US, a way to preserve our ancestral recipes and share our rich culture with the world.

Making bread to me is a meditation, a living prayer that the water carries out to the bellies and hearts of the people and when it’s made with love and intention, they are nourished, healed and magic unfolds.  

I travelled with my bread maker through Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia both solo and with a family of friends making Saj for thousands of people at concious gatherings and events where we connected and shared the inherent Lebanese culture of hospitality, warmth, safety and generosity. Music, Arts and expression. People resonated, they wanted more and we experienced magic along the way as the village grew. After all, Habibi in Arabic, means “sweet friend” and an instant ice breaker with strangers that quickly become friends.

We were graced with the next natural step, a food truck in downtown Asheville, with a beautiful garden and outdoor seating area to service the community that engaged with us and welcomed this rich cultured food to thier homes.

So many hands, hearts and mentors supported this journey and it’s too long of a list to name them here, first and most importantly the Habibi team who travelled and worked hard to make this happen and the Habibi investors that are longtime high-school friends that believe in my vision in bringing this culture to life.

This is the start of our adventure and experiencing culture, excited to be here.

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