I’m Aida—a Palestinian from Gaza, a cooking teacher, and someone who will probably still be talking when it’s time for you to go home. I was born in Gaza in 1987, during the First Intifada. I moved to Japan in 2006, and after 20 years here, I carry both places into my kitchen. For the past 15 years, I’ve been teaching cooking, and I’ve taught English too. Meeting people, talking and sharing what I know have been a big part of my life. I’m funny, chatty and direct. I want you to feel welcome enough to ask questions, get involved and laugh with me. Come hungry, because we have cooking to do—and plenty to talk about. Palestinian food is personal to me. These are flavours connected to where I was born, to my family and to a place I want you to know. In my class, we’ll cook together, eat together, and talk about the dishes and the lives around them. You’ll get to know Palestine through someone who calls it home. You don’t need to be an experienced cook. Bring your curiosity and your appetite. I’ll help you make food you’ll be excited to share at your own table. I want you to leave full, happy and ready to cook these dishes again. And when someone asks where you learned them, I hope you’ll say, “From Aida. She’s from Gaza.” That’s how I want you to remember Palestine. Come and join me in the kitchen.