Co-Founder and creator of Maiz Tacos, Good Burger and Luma’s Cakes, Luma Makhlouf has her work cut out. The 32-year-old Jordanian chef tells us why it’s all worth it

Where did you grow up? I was born in Amman, but I grew up in Chicago. I was there until I was 21.

Did you eat your veggies? Oh, I sure did. My mum is a splendid cook and made us the most delicious Arabic food every day, packed with loads of veggies.

When did you know you wanted to be a chef? I actually knew when I was a child, but my parents kind of pushed me in another direction, which they’d admit to. But it all worked out in the end.

What is your favourite food memory? Gosh, I have so many. But mostly I just loved watching my mum create these insane, decadent spreads. She would host the most marvellous meals. I used to look forward to coming home every day and seeing what she had made for us.

How difficult was your training? It’s funny, I did not go to any fancy schools around the world because working with food wasn’t my full time job for such a long time. So I can say I am officially UAE-trained as I learned all my culinary know-how here in Dubai at ICCA.

What inspires you? Honestly, the World Wide Web. I love that you can find inspiration in less than a minute on so many different verticals. I love learning on YouTube from people who are doing really innovative things with food.

Favourite piece of kitchen equipment or gadget? My thermometer is super important to me, but a sharp knife is key. I just can’t get in the groove of cooking without one.

Best piece of advice you would give a home enthusiast? As cliché as it may sound, do not give up. It takes time to build and craft your skills, so hang in there.

Best cooking tip for a novice just getting into the business? Reach out to people you admire and ask for help. If you have the opportunity to intern in a kitchen – take it! Money cannot buy that kind of experience.

What’s a popular dish at Maiz Tacos and what’s your spin on it? Our birria is our number one dish at the moment. It is slow cooked beef (goat in Mexico) and served with the beef broth. We have turned it into a cheesy crispy taco, and serve the consume on the side to dip it in.

What products should we be buying in the UAE to best make authentic Mexican Food? At Maiz Tacos we import all of our Mexican ingredients because they are not so easy to find. But you will find Mexican avocados and even tomatillos in Choithrams across the region. They are real game changers for Mexican food.

Five ‘must-have’ items in your basket… Chilis, rice, salt, tomato, lean protein – choosing only five is torture.

Funniest kitchen incident? Just last week I was experimenting with three recipes at once and I was juggling a bunch of things when I realised I had left the stove on. A chopping board was the poor victim. It's good to know that even the pros make mistakes!

Who in the food world do you most admire? The late Anthony Bourdain. A genius in the kitchen.

Favourite foods to cook with? I just love creating any recipes with whatever proteins I have in the fridge.

What do you think is the most challenging ingredient to work with? Tarragon.

What do you like to eat when you’re at home? Any Palestinian food. It reminds me of home.

Are there any foods you just don’t like? I don’t like yoghurt. The texture is just not for me.

Favourite cookbooks? I have way too many, but right now I’m really enjoying The Palestinian Table.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Growing our brands and creating many more.

What is going to be the next big thing in the food world? Ghost Kitchens. You are now able to build multiple brands in a very short space of time all under one operational cost.

What do you do for fun? I love trying new restaurants with my friends and spending time with my family.

Where is your favourite place in the world? Mykonos, Greece. Just stunning.

What do you most love about your job? My biggest passion is getting to serve my food to my customers; getting to really know them, and begin building a community around food and beyond – it’s all so dreamy.

If you had just one wish, what would it be? That would be for my father to meet my daughter.

What would be your ‘Last Supper’ meal? Your ‘Death Row’ meal, as the late Anthony Bourdain puts it? Maklubeh, a Palestinian rice dish layered with fried veggies and chicken and then flipped upside down. It's delicious.

Maiz Tacos is a home-grown concept that started as a food truck in 2018 roaming the streets of Dubai. The bricks and mortar restaurant has now opened in JLT. serving dishes at affordable prices for all the family.

www.maiztacos.com