About the Cook
“I have had the good fortune of being raised by an amazing woman who was well-known for her cooking in Lebanese communities. Everyone who sat at her table was not only well fed, but well nourished and long held memories of her food continue to be shared.
Growing up with a mom like that meant there was always food in the kitchen and ALWAYS made from scratch. My mother made homemade yogurt and bulgar wheat from scratch because there was nowhere to buy these staples needed for some of the traditional dishes that she lovingly made.
My love for cooking comes from my mother who is my mentor and teacher. I especially enjoy cooking Lebanese food and really believe that it is the best food to eat and I can assure you that I have been trained to cook by the very best.
The bounty of the Okanagan harvest has been inspiring and exciting for me and I would love to share with you the joy of cooking or eating Lebanese style.
“ Sahtayn! “ To your good health many times! “
Betty Cherkaoui
Saj Common Kitchen – Tales from the Lebanese Larder
An article by Jamie Maw– March 11, 2014
Field Guide Journal
Healthy eating attitude at new restaurants
Article by Maxine Dehart– August 23, 2014
Kelowna Capital News
Betty Cherkaoui of Lebanese Cuisine & Saj Common Kitchen
By Wendy McLeod– September 5, 2014
InIn Focus | Kelowna Now
Soup Sisters
Betty is a Soup Sister kitchen partner, hosting monthly events at Saj Common Kitchen, providing nourishing soup to local shelter. Read more here– Soup Sisters
Chefs in the Classroom
Betty inspires children through participating in the Okanagan Chef’s Association’s “Chefs in the Classroom– Edible Education” program. Read more on the OCA website.
About Saj Common Kitchen
Saj Common Kitchen provides rental of an approved commercial kitchen to chefs, aspiring chefs, food artisans, caterers, cooking teachers, restauranteurs, and production crews .
This kitchen operates 24/7, 365 days a year and is used by farmers market food vendors, personal chefs, event and corporate caterers, chefs doing recipe testing, cooking classes for professional chef training, or gourmet, ethnic and traditional home cooking, as well as small private functions.
It is our vision to offer a clean, functional approved kitchen to food entrepreneurs to grow their business and become successful.
Space is available on a first come basis– to book your space, call Betty at 250-864-3491.
What we offer:
- A kitchen to start or expand your food-related business without the huge expense of building and equipping your own commercial kitchen
- Commercial ranges and ovens, convection oven, charbroiler, walk in refrigeration, freezer, mixers, permanent storage, portable stainless tables, large stainless island and counter space, plenty of shelving, some small wares, rolling racks, 24 baking sheets and seating for 20
- Full-time, part-time and single usage, as well as use for private functions
- Set-up for teaching cooking classes, testing recipes, making products for sale, catering, etc.
