Sold-out Dearborn dinner for Palestinian relief had people hoping to get last-minute seat

Frigid air stung the cheeks of individuals walking into Dearborn’s Bint Jebail Cultural Center on Monday night. It was 30 minutes before the event’s start time and those who missed the opportunity to pre-purchase a ticket for Chefs for Palestine, a fundraiser to benefit the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund and the Palestinian American Medical Association, had arrived early in hopes of securing a spot as a walk-in for the sold-out strolling dinner.

Organized by chef Amanda Saab in collaboration with the Amity Foundation, Chefs for Palestine brought together 23 food vendors, five small business — including fashions inspired by Palestine — and 20 raffle baskets donated by various food and miscellaneous businesses from across metro Detroit.

“Grateful, hopeful and inspired,” Saab said, when asked to share her response to the banquet hall that soon filled with attendees of all demographics in support of the cause. Saab, a Dearborn native with familial roots in south Lebanon and the first Muslim woman to wear a hijab on Fox’s “MasterChef,” fought back tears as she took in the room, which had a digital Palestinian flag waving behind her that cast a red and green glow on her profile.

“The feelings are big, and I’ve been shutting them down for today because I knew I needed to focus on this. But just looking at the room and the crowd and the chefs and the people that are here gives me hope for the world. I know that the majority of people care and don’t want what’s happening to continue to happen,” she said.

In contrast to the night’s hopeful sentiments, there were big feelings of despair that inspired Saab to organize the event. It started with a sleepless night of tears, she said, that motivated her to use her baking talents and lean on her culinary community to act.

“There’s one thing that I know how to do and that’s feed people and bring people together, so I made the call. This is what came out of a Facebook post asking my community of chefs and friends and event coordinators and florists and hairstylists for help. I’m recognizing the power of this very vibrant, big community.”

Max Sussman, a participating chef, said he was on the roster representing his Jewish community.

“I’m here as a Jewish person because growing up, I was taught to care about doing good in the world, and it’s really clear to me that this is one of the most important places to be right now,” he said, adding that politics and food have always intersected.

As a father of two, he said, the cause hits close to home.

“I don’t know how you can see what’s going on and not really be inclined to help, especially with it being a fundraiser for a children’s relief organization,” he said as his youngest child, an 8-month-old, bounced on his hip. “The number of children killed — and it’s not just about children, but it is hard to think that some kids’ lives are worth different because of who they are. That’s really hard to see."

On Monday evening at Bint Jebail, children lined up at La Fork for sweet crepes filled with fresh strawberries and drizzled with chocolate syrup or at Saab’s own station, where squares of two-tiered chocolate cardamom cake topped with crushed pistachios and dried rose petals lined a corner table. A slice into the cake pressed out velvety tahini buttercream speckled with sesame crisps and jam.

There were savory dishes representing various cultures, embodying Saab’s intent to unify individuals through food. Chef Omar Anani, who is currently on a six-month sabbatical from Detroit restaurant Saffron DeTwah, served up bite-size mousakhan, a Palestinian chicken dish. Anani’s version featured lean, shredded chicken with tangy onions and spices on a crisp flatbread round.

Chefs Reniel and Charles Billups of Flavors of Jamaica in Pontiac spooned rice and peas onto guests' plates, and chef Ji Hye Kim of Miss Kim in Ann Arbor prepared crispy Korean fried chicken for the occasion.

“This is what food communities do,” Kim said. “We come together to support each other and support causes that we believe in — and we bring food. I’m really glad to be a part of it.”

Throughout the night, event organizers and activists chanted “free, free Palestine” to hush the room and encourage guests to give their attention to speakers. Some, such as Faris Alami, told stories of hardships in Gaza while others, such as Joshua Feinstein of the Jewish Voice for Peace, offered support on behalf of the Jewish community. The intent, they reminded attendees, was to enjoy the food that brought event-goers together but to also focus on learning about the Israeli-Hamas conflict and the devastation that has ensued.

Chefs for Palestine has raised nearly $42,000 of its $50,000 goal toward humanitarian aid in Gaza. In addition to contributing donations, event organizers encouraged those in attendance to urge Michigan representatives to support an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who has helped lead an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire resolution, eventually took the stage with a black-and-white stole draped around her neck.

Said Saab: “We say we’re the family of Shem, which is the region of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine — we’re all one people at one time, so that’s our connection. These are my cousins, my brothers and sisters in humanity, and whenever there’s injustice, I know that I have to use my voice.”

Visit zeffy.com to donate to Chefs for Palestine.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Chefs for Palestine fundraiser in Dearborn draws 23 food vendors