My grandfather was a Lebanese chef from Kfarsghab, a mountain village in northern Lebanon, whose passion for food and his home country has always deeply moved me. After leaving Lebanon, he began his culinary journey in Australia, where he owned a restaurant on Bondi Beach before eventually bringing his talent and traditions to the United States. He later spent many years cooking in Philadelphia, unknowingly planting the roots for the path I follow today. My mother, who held her father’s recipes close, passed them on to me with the same care and reverence he taught her. Through her, I learned that food is something we carry, something that connects us across time and distance.

I grew up in the Middle East, surrounded by the scents and spices that define Arab culture and its food, while also experiencing a rich blend of global influences that expanded my perspective and palate. Those formative years shaped my understanding of cuisine as more than sustenance—it is an expression of culture, connection, and community. I carry that expression through Philly Hummus Girl, blending authentic Arab flavors with a modern elevation and inspired twists. My work honors the generations who came before me and in putting Arab representation back into mezze - where our stories and flavors have always belonged.

— Chef Miranda