Maha al Tinawi

Maha’s food is infused with memories and love for her father, who taught her and her brother how to cook when they were growing up in Damascus. She describes her father as her role model in life, work, and education — Maha studied Sociology and Administrative Development at Damascus University and wrote several research papers and a book on contemporary intellectual studies. Maha moved to Istanbul in 2014 and works as a social consultant, but is still tied to food and plans to open a food truck specializing in Syrian food. As Maha prepared the following dishes for the LIFE cookbook, she remarked that she felt her father’s soul in every step she takes — and that her food tastes all the more special thanks to him.