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Iraq’s top celebrity chef

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The BBC’s Natalia Antelava spends a day with Chef Feraz, Iraq’s top celebrity chef.

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LISA MULLINS: Despite Iraq’s central role in this story Iraqis probably did not pay a lot of attention to the Valerie Plame case and these days many Iraqi TV viewers are more likely to tune into lighter fare. The country’s most popular TV show is ‘Good Morning Iraq.’ And one of the highlights of the show is Iraq’s top celebrity chef. The BBC’s Natalia Antelava recently spent the day with Chef Feraz in Baghdad.

NATALIA ANTELAVA: It’s early morning in Baghdad and the smell of fried onions and meat fills the television studios – a sure sign that ‘Good Morning Iraq’ is live on air.

[MUSIC]

This show is Iraq’s top television program – the way that many people here start their day. And some tune in for just one reason – to learn the culinary secrets of Iraq’s best known chef. Everyday the round face of Chef Feraz pops up on screens across the nation. Today he’s cooking lamb.

CHEF FERAZ: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

TRANSLATOR: Usually I cook Iraqi food but sometimes I decide to cook a western dish. But I put some Iraqi and eastern touches on that dish.

ANTELAVA: Chef Feraz started his career in one of Baghdad’s restaurants back in the times of Saddam Hussein. He still remembers his first boss – a Scottish chef who taught him all about cooking.

CHEF FERAZ: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

TRANSLATOR: The guy was so tough that we feared him just like we feared Saddam Hussein because he was very tough.

ANTELAVA: It wasn’t easy for Chef Feraz to accept this job. TV celebrities have been killed and kidnapped here in the past and two of the chef’s predecessors fled Iraq.

CHEF FERAZ: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

TRANSLATOR: What I do lifts the mood. I make people a little happier.

ANTELAVA: The chef’s advisor on the show is the glamorous presenter Luna. Her input is important. Women dominate kitchens here. But Luna says she hopes Chef Feraz will manage to get Iraqi men to help.

LUNA: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

TRANSLATOR: Chef Feraz is so charming and funny that even men watch his show.

ANTELAVA: But while in charge of his on-air kitchen, at home Chef Feraz admits to being just another man.

CHEF FERAZ: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

TRANSLATOR: In Iraq men don’t go into the kitchen. At home I don’t go into the kitchen to even make a cup of tea.

ANTELAVA: So you cook all day at work but you don’t cook at home at all? You don’t help your wife in the kitchen?

CHEF FERAZ: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

TRANSLATOR: Absolutely not.

ANTELAVA: The food is ready and after the broadcast ends everyone joins Chef Feraz in his kitchen for a taste.

Mmm. Very nice. Mmm.

[MUSIC]

For many in Iraq this show isn’t just about cooking. It’s also a lighter, nicer way to start the day.

[MUSIC]

MULLINS: That’s the BBC’s Natalia Antelava in Baghdad.

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