From College Dropout to Renowned Restaurateur: The Journey of Hisham Abdelfattah

Join Hisham Abdelfattah, owner and executive chef of El Halal Amigos and partner at Willow Street Pizza, as he shares his incredible journey from a young dishwasher to a renowned chef. This episode explores the challenges, triumphs, and inspirations behind his unique approach to making Halal Mexican food and beyond.

🔗 Find Us

• Available on all major podcast platforms: https://journeytellers.org/

• Muhammad Hadi Yusufali: https://mhadi.co/

• Ali Almathkur: https://youtube.com/@alialmathkur/

👀 Follow Hisham's Journey

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef__hisham/

• El Halal Amigos: https://www.instagram.com/elhalalamigos/

🙌 Credits

• Hosted by ​⁠Muhammad Hadi Yusufali and ​Ali Almathkur

• Featuring Hisham Abdelfattah

• Filmed in Kisa Studios

⏰ Chapters

0:00 Introduction

2:06 Background and Beginnings

6:43 Experience with Mexican Culture

10:52 Journey to Islam

15:02 Schooling and Path to Culinary Academy

17:38 Pursuing Your Passion

21:43 Motivation

22:29 Creating the Restaurant and Struggles of Covid

29:18. Opening the Restaurant

33:06 Importance of Philanthropy

37:38 Challenges of Halal

41:51 Benefits of Halal

44:30 Willow Street Pizza

50:19 Hiring Staff

54:07 Making Halal Fun

56:37 Behind the Name El Halal Amigos

58:46 Cooking Shows and Fame

1:00:43 Persistence and Following Dreams

1:02:50 Understanding Struggle

1:06:13 Social Media Presence

1:11:09 Palestine and Coming Together as Muslims

1:26:48 Rapid Fire Questions

1:31:25 Key Points and Takeaway