Al-Amīn al-Hajj Mustafa an-Nakīr | |
---|---|
الأمين الحاج مصطفى النكير | |
Born | |
Occupation | Chef |
Known for | Meshwi, Tangia |
al-Amīn al-Hajj Mustafa an-Nakīr ( Arabic: الأمين الحاج مصطفى النكير) is a Moroccan chef specializing in barbecue. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] He worked as the chef of the former King of Morocco Hassan II, inheriting the position of palace chef from his forefathers. [4] [6] He specializes in and is famous for meshwi lamb and the traditional Marrakshi dish called tangia. [7]
He describes the barbecue culture of Marrakesh as having originated in the Sahara, having been passed down by ancestors and having retained its traditional and distinct style. [8] His grandparents practiced the craft of barbecue at a jōṭia (جوطية an open, periodic marketplace) near the current location of the carpet shops. [8] There had been a dedicated alleyway for the grilling of heads, as head meat with sfenj was popular breakfast food at the time. [8] Tanjia was the traditional food of the craftsmen. [8]
He has a restaurant in Marrakesh called 'end l-amīn (عند الأمين lit. 'At the Amine's,' or Chez L'Amine in French). [9]