  University Hosts Iraq’s First
Celebrity Chef PROVIDENCE, R.I.— May 2, 2007 — As the cooking host for Good Morning Iraq, Khaldoon al-Khazaali, 24, is accustomed to giving culinary demonstrations, but this one was unique. It was his first time cooking for an in-studio audience, rather than a television camera. It was also special because he was performing for a non-Arab audience with the assistance of a translator, thousands of miles from the state-run Iraqiya TV studio set in Baghdad where he tapes his show. Despite these differences, and this being his first visit to the United States, al-Khazaali appeared right at home as he prepared two dishes, Shaikh Mah Shee (Stuffed Eggplant) (60K PDF) and Kibbah Batata Máa Khubz Arabi (Potato Patty with Arabic Bread) (60K PDF) in front of nearly 200 students, faculty and staff of Johnson & Wales University (J&W).
view Chef Khaldoon's demonstration J&W officials invited al-Khazaali to visit the school’s Providence campus as a cultural ambassador, and to demonstrate classic and updated versions of Iraqi cuisine. “Our culinary program was a natural connection, but we also welcomed Chef Khaldoon as much for the unique cultural perspective he offers,” said university President John Bowen. “We are always seeking opportunities that reflect our diverse student body, which represents 89 countries. In this case, the focus of Middle Eastern cuisine is especially timely as developments in the Middle East are at the forefront of public discussion,” added Bowen, who returned recently from India where he served as part of a U.S. delegation led by Education Department Undersecretary Karen Hughes. With six broadcasts a week since 2005, al-Khazaali used every opportunity to present his viewers with new interpretations of traditional Iraqi foods or to teach them Western cuisines. In all, he presented more than 700 unique recipes that he acquired from his formal training at the Baghdad Institute of Tourism & Hotel and from the numerous foreign cookbooks that he read and mastered on his own. Prior to his starring role on Good Morning Iraq, he was a chef at the five-star Al-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, which is now part of the Green Zone. His celebrity status has reached across Iraq and even into neighboring countries. Fans greet him most anywhere he goes. According to Middle Eastern media analysts, entertainment television is hugely popular in the Arab speaking world, including Iraq. When asked why he came to J&W, al-Khazaali replied, “Much like my show, I enjoy introducing new foods to people. Cooking is about exploring new boundaries. It’s a unique form of art, one that is seen, and also experienced through taste. It’s something I enjoy sharing with others. That, and I would like to learn how to make pizza, hamburgers, and pastries to take back with me.” “Chef Khaldoon is clearly a talented cook, and a careful study of his craft,” said Karl Guggenmos, J&W dean of culinary education. “Besides that, having Khaldoon come here was a great opportunity for our students to participate in a multi-cultural and intellectual exchange with a talented young chef with a unique worldview.” All translation throughout al-Khazaali’s demonstration was provided by Badr Fayez, a J&W graduate student from Saudi Arabia, who also holds a bachelor’s degree from J&W’s College of Culinary Arts. Johnson & Wales — America's Career University® — was founded in 1914. It is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, food service, education, hospitality and technology. Preparing students for successful careers is the cornerstone of the University's educational philosophy. A benchmark of the University has been its 29 consecutive year employment record — within 60 days of graduation, 98 percent of its students from the 50 states have jobs in their chosen career field. With an enrollment of more than 16,000 students, Johnson & Wales maintains campuses in Providence, R.I., North Miami, Fla., Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C.
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