Greg Malouf Spice Mezza

“Why didn’t anyone think of this before? Middle Eastern food has always been delicious, but for the most part it goes on unchanged from generation to generation. … Greg Malouf, an Australian of Lebanese ancestry, has cast a new eye on every Middle Eastern dish he cooks. … The food is transformed, but somehow it retains the integrity of the original recipe. Everything comes to the table looking like a piece of art, and it ends up tasting even better than it looks. … Every restaurant in Morocco offers pastila, layers of thin pastry stuffed with pigeon. Mr. Malouf substitutes rabbit for the pigeon, and devises as flaky and tasty a pastry as has ever emerged from an oven. The result is one of the most magnificent dishes I’ve eaten. I’ve dreamt about it ever since.”

Stan Sesser, Personal Journal

The Asian Wall Street Journal, February 18, 2005

Greg Malouf has inspired a generation of young chefs and transformed the Melbourne restaurant scene with the flavours of his heritage. His dishes capture the essence of the Middle East, all presented with exciting contemporary flair.

Born in Melbourne, Australia of Lebanese parents, after serving his formal apprenticeship in several of Melbourne's finest restaurants, he went on to work in France, Italy, Austria and Hong Kong. Drawing on his cultural heritage, his European training and extensive travels, Greg has forged a unique style of cooking that has become known around Australia as ‘Modern Middle Eastern’.

With his former wife, Lucy Malouf, Greg has co-authored four award-winning food books, Arabesque (1999), Moorish (2001), Saha (2005), Turquoise (2007) the latest endeavour, Saraban (2010) is a unforgettable journey through the culinary landscapes of ancient Persia and modern-day Iran. Each has been widely-acclaimed and praised for showcasing the traditional ingredients and dishes of the region while also offering a window on Greg’s unique modern Middle Eastern cuisine.

Greg has also released a range of wet and dry Middle Eastern spices under the Malouf’s Spice Mezza label, designed to inspire the adventurous home cook and become a part of their everyday repertoire. The range is available in both a retail and food service range.