More than just a Moroccan cooking workshop, the event organized by Agora Aveiro at  Histórias ao Lume space as part of the “I love Aveiro: Cooking for Solidarity” event turned into a journey through flavors, traditions, and personal experiences.

This time, we will step away from the kitchen to get to know the man behind the recipes -a charismatic and passionate home cook, artisan, and father - who has made Aveiro his home. Kamal Wadifi’s journey from Marrakech to Aveiro was driven by something deeply personal: family and the hope for a better future.

“In 2016, after my daughter was born, my Portuguese wife and I decided to move to Aveiro. It was a life-changing experience. The main reason was to give my daughter a better future. I love living in Aveiro - it’s peaceful, close to the sea, and people are kind and welcoming.”

Kamal currently works as an Arabic content reviewer and language expert for a tech company, but his passions extend far beyond his profession. The pandemic pushed him towards creativity, leading to the birth of Anili, a slow-fashion project dedicated to hand-sewn denim garments, crafted with restored vintage sewing machines. This same creative spirit drives his love for cooking, a passion deeply rooted in his family heritage. He explains:

“I discovered the art of cooking under the loving guidance of my mother and grandmother. Their rich culinary traditions instilled in me a deep appreciation for the flavors and aromas of our culture. Cooking, for us, was always about joy, family, and sharing meals with loved ones.”

This philosophy of cooking as an act of love and connection was exactly what Kamal brought us to the Moroccan cooking workshop in Aveiro. Participants had the chance to explore the vibrant flavors of Morocco through three classic recipes:

• Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemon – A fragrant, slow-cooked dish infused with spices, lemons, and olives. It gets tons of flavor from spices, preserved lemons, olives, and onions. It can be cooked on the stovetop in an authentic tagine or roasted in a baking pan in the oven, depending on what equipment you have at your disposal.
• Zaalouk (Eggplant Salad) – A traditional Moroccan dish made primarily from eggplant and tomatoes, flavoured with garlic, olive oil, and various spices such as cumin, paprika, and chili pepper. It’s typically served as a side dish or salad and is often enjoyed with bread.
• Moroccan Roasted Pepper Salad – A refreshing side of roasted bell peppers, tomatoes, olive oil, and vinegar.

Each dish told us a story, every spice helped us travel a little further. For the workshop participants, this experience was more than just following recipes - it was about understanding the meaning behind Moroccan cuisine, how the mix of spices, slow cooking, and shared meals represent something deeper than just nourishment.

One last question to Kamal was if there was anything that he didn't like about Aveiro.

“What worries me sometimes is the town is growing rapidly, I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, more cars, more traffic... I hope this growth brings prosperity and good opportunities for the people of this city that I genuinely love and care about.”

And we couldn't agree more with him.

“Cooking for Solidarity” is part of “I Love Aveiro” project and is organized by Agora Aveiro in partnership with concept store Alma de Alecrim, Histórias ao Lume, and CLAIM Aveiro. It is co-financed by the European Solidarity Corps programme of the European Union. It also had the support from the Municipality of Aveiro and IPDJ - Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude, I.P..