Taste of Syria comes to Jewish London for good cause

A Jewish charity working with refugees has teamed up with the restaurant in London’s main Jewish community centre to serve up traditional Syrian-Jewish dishes to raise money for aid.

World Jewish Relief and has partnered with Zest in JW3 to offer a fully-kosher menu serving Syrian meat dishes cooked on an outside grill, with £1 from each meal going towards the charity’s support work.

From Monday 6 March to Sunday 9 April, evening diners will be able to enjoy lamb kofta, Muhummara marinated chicken wings and saffron and orange marinated chicken as well as vegetarian alternatives in a dome structure in JW3’s piazza.

Complimentary cardamom coffee and mint tea in the dome will also be served, and the restaurant will operate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, with no reservations taken, while for those not fond of Syrian fare, Zest will be open as usual.

WJR chief executive Paul Anticoni said the partnership with Zest would raise vital funds for the millions who have had to leave their homes and families.

“The devastation in Syria is far from over,” he said this week. “There are almost five million registered Syrian refugees, fleeing untold horror.”

JW3 boss Raymond Simonson said the Jewish history of fleeing persecution had led to “increased empathy with the Syrian refugee situation because there are shared experiences between people’s family stories and what’s going on now”.

He added: “We are proud to work with WJR on this unique kosher, meaty pop-up restaurant on the JW3 Piazza… Our chefs are excited to create a new menu inspired by the flavours of Syria.”