In this in-person episode recorded on location in Honolulu, I sit down with Chef Mourad Lahlou, the visionary behind Aziza, Mourad, Leila, and Miro Kaimuki. Known for pioneering modern Moroccan cuisine and earning Michelin stars along the way, Chef Mourad opens up about his personal and professional evolution—from self-taught beginnings in the U.S. to reimagining Moroccan flavors in Hawaii.We talk about his bold move from San Francisco to Honolulu, his collaboration with renowned chef Chris Kajioka, and how local ingredients and a slower pace of life are influencing this new chapter. Chef Mourad shares his thoughts on tradition, creativity, nostalgia, and the power of family-style dining to connect people across cultures.
What you'll learn from Chef Mourad Lahlou
3:39 – Shifting focus from San Francisco to Hawaii4:05 – What inspired the move to Honolulu6:19 – Closing Mourad and letting go of Michelin7:15 – The cultural roots of Leila8:37 – How Aziza has evolved over the years9:16 – Cooking with a sense of place10:10 – Serving food in a more “honest” way10:36 – Moroccan tradition meets Hawaiian ingredients11:47 – A chef’s brief dance with molecular gastronomy13:00 – Public support for Aziza through its many lives13:52 – How his palate—and judgment—has matured15:28 – His creative process for crafting new dishes16:24 – The role of nostalgia in Moroccan cooking17:40 – Couscous: More than a side dish20:08 – The journey of a self-taught chef23:02 – The woman behind the name Aziza23:27 – The birth of Mourad27:11 – Common misconceptions about Moroccan cuisine28:24 – What most Moroccan restaurants get wrong30:08 – Battling regulations over the tagine31:41 – Dishes he's most excited about at Leila33:13 – Why sharing food matters more than ever33:40 – His two favorite dishes on the Leila menu34:43 – Ingredient sourcing: SF vs. Honolulu36:19 – The magic of collaborating with Chris Kajioka41:42 – Culinary fusion at Miro Kaimuki44:08 – Menu staples and seasonal creativity45:29 – The irony of fine dining chefs doing soulful food49:31 – His favorite food spots around Honolulu50:35 – Guilty pleasures: Cheese and simple comforts53:07 – The emotional meaning of cooking at home57:31 – The biggest lesson he’s learned in his journey59:09 – Dream culinary collaborators1:03:50 – The worst advice young cooks hear
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Links to other episodes with the chefs from Hawaii
Don't miss out on the chance to hear from these talented chefs and gain insight into the world of culinary techniques. Check out the links below for more conversations with chefs from HawaiiConversation with Chef Roy YamaguchiInterview with chef Chef Chris KajiokaInterview with chef Sheldon SimeonConversation with Chef Vikram Garg
Links to most downloaded episodes (click on any picture to listen to the episode)
Chef Sheldon Simeon
Chef Andy Doubrava
Chef Chris Kajioka
Chef Suzanne Goin
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Restaurant Aziza
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