What does it mean to preserve culture through cuisine? In this candid conversation, host Raja Haddad sits down with Basil Yassin — the culinary creator behind Yava and Tonton Bakes, two of Dubai’s most talked-about dining concepts.

From Musakhan Pretzel to caramel-dipped mini croissant pops, Basil blends Palestinian heritage, creative experimentation and bold entrepreneurship to build food experiences that are anything but traditional.

🤟 Basil opens up about:

• Leaving a corporate career to pursue hospitality

• Using Palestinian ingredients to tell a different kind of story

• Why team culture is the true “ingredient” behind great dining

• The struggle to prove identity in a city that moves fast

• Riding the wave of social media — but not letting it define him

• The future of his brands — and the dream of a beachfront boutique hotel 🎧 Whether you love food, culture, business or just a good story about taking risks and staying rooted, this episode will inspire you to create — and keep moving forward.

📍 Visit Yava & Tonton in Wasl 51, Jumeirah — and taste the story for yourself.

📺 Subscribe for more episodes featuring the creative forces shaping the Middle East.

#BasilYassin #YavaDubai #TontonBakes #ForwardMovesPodcast #DubaiRestaurants #PalestinianCuisine #CreativeEntrepreneurs #CulinaryInnovation #MiddleEastCreatives #FoodIdentity #Gastronomy #Entrepreneurship #HospitalityIndustry #FoodCulture #DubaiFNB #FounderStories #PodcastShow

Send us a text

Support the show