Roaya Saleh
local HOW WILL THIS EXPERIENCE CHANGE THINGS FOR VILLA MAMAS?
This is a huge milestone for Villa Mamas considering we planned and successfully executed the project in quite a short span of time. All thanks to the great team we have. We look forward to doing more pop ups internationally.
ANY SURPRISES FOR 2016?
We're planning for a second pop-up in London this December. Apart from that, Villa Mamas now has an official app you can download. I’m also working on the release of my cookbook, which will happen sometime this year, and the opening of Mama Gourmet, which is a whole new restaurant, attached to Villa Mamas.
#Villa Mamas London Pop-up Bahraini chef and restaurater, Roaya Saleh, started Villa Mamas in 2012 with a dream to share her family recipes with foodies on the island. Known to support Panos Panagis local farmers by using local produce, Villa Mamas is the 'first full service traditional Bahraini restaurant' and will host its second pop-up in London this December. HOW DID LONDON HAPPEN?
The idea to have an international presence has always been part of Villa Mamas’ expansion dream. It was very important for us to test the market first and find out people’s reactions. Hence the idea for a 5-day pop-up at Truc Vert restaurant in Mayfair.
WHAT WERE THE STAR DISHES AT THE POP-UP?
Usually pop-ups have small menus as they're
76 Bahrain Confidential September 2016
for a limited number of days but in this case we created a detailed menu; for breakfast we served; Eggy Tomato, Potato Egg, Mahyawa, Zaater Bread, Balaleet and Karak Tea; starters included Eggplant Explosion, Quinoa Salad and Mathrooba; lunch featured Chicken and Prawn Machboos, Lamb Shank, Margoog and Chilirooni; and dinner was Um Ali and Mahalabiya.
Roaya Saleh in London
VILLA MAMAS' ACCOLADES
Villa Mamas won ‘Best Family Restaurant’ and ‘Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Bahrain’ awards in 2015 and ‘Best Restaurant in the GCC’ in 2016 by a reputed food and travel magazine in the region. This year it has been nominated in four categories!
For more info, visit villamamas.com or subscribe to the YouTube channel which has Arabic & English subtitles @villamamas