How does one birthday cake turn into a career bringing food, fashion and Dubai’s chefs together?
Lidija Abu Ghazaleh shares how her Serbian upbringing in Montreal shaped her love for cooking, why she chose a different path after modelling, and how hosting dinners in Dubai eventually led to a catering business.
She takes Chef JKP through the early days of Lydia’s Kitchen, including a rejected request to film at COYA that eventually opened the door to chef collaborations. They also discuss why she rebranded to Devour by Lidija and what it took to self-publish Devour, a cookbook featuring 107 recipes.
From a broken oven just before the photoshoot to recipe testing, reshoots and two and a half years of work, Lidija shares the challenges behind the finished book. She also reflects on Dubai’s changing dining scene and why creators shouldn’t wait until they feel ready.
WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE
✔️ The Serbian food traditions that shaped Lidija’s childhood in Montreal ✔️ Why she moved away from modelling and built a career in fitness ✔️ How hosting dinners in Dubai turned into a catering business ✔️ The birthday cake that led to corporate catering opportunities ✔️ Starting Lydia’s Kitchen and getting access to professional kitchens ✔️ Bringing food, fashion and culture together through chef collaborations ✔️ Why Lydia’s Kitchen evolved into Devour by Lidija ✔️ The challenges of self-publishing Devour and bringing 107 recipes to life
CHAPTERS
00:00 Why Food Has Always Been More Than a Career for Lidija 08:53 Modelling, University and Choosing Her Own Path 15:17 From Personal Training to Hosting Friday Dinners 26:00 Moving to Dubai and Building a Life Through Food 33:13 How One Birthday Cake Became a Catering Business 38:19 Starting Lydia’s Kitchen and Getting Into Professional Kitchens 54:49 Why Lydia’s Kitchen Became Devour by Lidija 01:07:51 Creating a 107-Recipe Cookbook and What Comes Next
FEATURED GUEST
Lidija Abu Ghazaleh Creator, Devour by Lidija Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devourbylidija/
Cookbook: https://devourbylidija.com/
SEASON 13 PARTNER
This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship.
Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East: https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/
AUDIO PARTNER
RØDE: https://rode.com/
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