Loading Dock Talks with Chef Preeti Mistry

Barbacoa with Norma Listman & Saqib Keval

Episode Summary

Through the story of their barbacoa recipe, Norma Listman and Saqib Keval talk about the philosophy behind their cuisine, how they approach experimenting with traditional recipes, and their responsibility as chefs in society.

Episode Notes

In this episode, Preeti talks with Chefs Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, the duo behind Masala y Maíz and Marigold in Mexico City. The chefs share their unique culinary backgrounds and the melding of their heritages — Mexican, South Asian, and East African — into their cuisine. They discuss the process behind their lamb barbacoa recipe, a melding of Norma's Mexican family tradition with Saqib's South Asian flavors and spices. The discussion also explores the significance of maintaining cultural integrity while innovating with traditional recipes, avoiding the pitfalls of fusion for the sake of novelty. They also discuss the broader responsibilities of chefs in society, touching on labor rights in the restaurant industry, creating a supportive work culture, and the importance of political engagement through food. 

 

More about them: 

Norma's Website

Saqib's Website

Their restaurants Masala y Maiz | Marigold