A family infused in flavour
HYDE PARK – The Just Teddy – Petals from Paris cookbook will take readers on a journey around the globe with ‘mental imagery’ of the Zaki family’s travels, which inspired them to create their glorious menu.
In an effort to inspire the community in the kitchen, the Just Teddy family at Hyde Park Corner is set to launch their own cookbook on November 25.
The Just Teddy – Petals from Paris cookbook will take readers on a journey around the globe with ‘mental imagery’ of the Zaki family’s travels, which inspired them to create their famous Just Teddy – Fine Boulangerie and Pâtisserie menu.
According to Jeff Zaki, Just Teddy was born out of a shared love of food between himself, his father Teddy, mother Natasha and sister Jordyne.
“A Lebanese household runs on food, [it is] the binding agent of our culture and an expression of love. Food is just everything that we know, it is part of our daily lives,” he said.
He recalled a fond memory with his family gathered together in the lead up to Christmas when his father prepared his coveted and well-guarded secret Christmas cake.
“We would bake our Christmas cakes, gingerbread cookies, puddings and so much more.
“We would all have a task to do, whether it was the stirring of the cake batter, the cutting of the cookies or the rolling of the dough – we all came together as a family.”
Jeff added that while the family’s pastry journey was not all icing and strawberries, he believed that they had something special which they had an obligation to share with the community.
This is where the store at Hyde Park Corner and now a 240-page cookbook extraordinaire originated from.
“We feel like it is a beautiful story, a story of massive lows, such as surviving Covid-19, and massive highs and this is all stated in the book. I think that that is beautiful because something that is too perfect doesn’t have value to me.”
The Just Teddy – Petals from Paris book is available from November 25. Books can be purchased from www.justteddy.shop or at Just Teddy – Fine Boulangerie and Pâtisserie store at Hyde Park Corner.
Details: www.justteddy.co.za
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