I was accompanied by Minister Lena Metlege Diab and MP Andy Fillmore to taste the delicious stylings of Chef Michael!

Chef Michael has worked in the restaurant industry for over a decade, and for those of you who do not know: Smyrna is a beautiful city in Turkey!

Back in 2002, he owned the restaurant ‘Anatolia.’ I remember it well because Turkish food is my favourite type of cuisine. My mother’s family is from ‘Diyarbakir,’ a city in Turkey — and my father is from North Iraq (Mosul) where the food is very similar to Turkish cuisine.

I remember Anatolia being the first Turkish restaurant in the province, and being so excited to eat there. I also remember a special Valentine’s Day when I organized 18 couples and we filled the restaurant. Chef Michael brought a belly dancer for our group… it was a very memorable evening

Tonight’s meal was spectacular… we were served delicious traditional dips, such as: hummus, beet purée & tzatziki… chicken & lamb kebabs, as well as Chef Michael’s incredible beet salad (just to name a few).

And to top it all off — we listened to the gorgeous voice of Elsy Makhlouf. Elsy is a phenomenal singer who sings in over 5 languages! It is always such a pleasure to hear her stunning vocals.

I wish Chef Michael all the best, and I hope many people will go out to try his absolutely delicious meats and appetizers!

Let’s support another business that has had the courage to open during this pandemic.