How Community Chefs Feed 4,000 People During Ramadan In Egypt | Big Batches | Insider Food

For nine years, the neighborhood of El Matareya in Cairo, Egypt, has been hosting one of Egypt's largest iftars, the evening meal eaten to break the fast during Ramadan.
On the 15th day of Ramadan, 200 volunteers from El Matareya help cook the food in the streets and in their homes.
In the streets, chicken and rice are cooked on grills, and in homes, dishes like mahshi and kebab halla are made by hand.
All of the food is served on 500 tables that stretch a kilometer down the road.
The event has become so popular that people from other neighborhoods stop by to enjoy the festivities and get a free meal.
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How 4,000 Iftar Meals Are Made in El Matareya, Egypt | Big Batches | Insider Food

[@effervescentsloth5132]

“But this time I don’t put in a lot of spice, because some people don’t like it and I don’t want to hurt them.” The look on her face made me chuckle. Such a wonderful person.

[@LindseyLouWho]

Beautiful display of community and humanity. Thank you to El Matareya and its humble citizens for sharing this with Insider, and with us.

[@cloudlounger6903]

❤

[@robz7369]

Once a great civilization, living like rats now such a shame

[@renshawfreese47]

Where are the women

[@confused_af]

​@@renshawfreese47u are blind. 0:32 see there is women

[@gafak47]

away from you..batty boi@@renshawfreese47

[@recklessgeneration2361]

Um is not her first name, it's more of a honorific title given to her on the count of her first born child Mustafa, so Um Mustafa in shorts means "Mother of Mustafa ".

[@cloudlounger6903]

Thanks....I think⁉️🤨

[@momoproblems0]

I was just gonna comment this. Insider all you had to do was ask 1 Arabic person to verify the script, like come on lol

[@ClemensDE]

preparing all this amazing food while being hungry. big respect

[@cloudlounger6903]

I'm hungry watching it....

[@mamamiaherewegoagain6959]

Well, coming from a muslim who prepares the food for iftar for their family, when you're preparing it you don't really notice the hunger. Really the only unfortunate thing is not being able to taste the food as you prepare it, and being unsure whether it tastes good. so you really need to know the recipes by heart. Actually that goes for all activities. When you're fasting you don't really notice the hunger unless you're not doing anything. Aside from fasting, ramadhan is a time for prayer, reflection, family, and charity, so if you're practicing it fully there's really no time or chance to feel the hunger.

[@rodeo9837]

Amazing culture and humanity. This is real community. I love the at-home preparations by these great matriarchs

[@adelsweify]

As an Egyptian, I tell you that you are welcome in Egypt

[@chuckvanderbildt]

What a wonderful way the tradition of iftar must be, to foster gratitude.

[@U.K.N]

Yes , it forges bonds of brotherhood and friendship in rich/middle income and in poor areas

[@issacodah]

well its a religious event not a tradition to be more precis , like muslims fast 1 month every year the month called Ramadan

[@Hans.Dewitt]

​@@issacodahRamadan is a religious event, but getting together and breaking fast together with the community in the streets like this is a tradition.

[@issacodah]

@@Hans.Dewitt well he called iftar a tradition so i was just correcting, gathering for iftar like this is a tradition

[@nerd26373]

This is fascinating to see. Egyptian cuisine doesn't get much hype, but I feel as though it deserves more international attention.

[@tuhuttmesiii48]

The problem of Egyptian culture in general is that they allow changing names, so you find a specific Egyptian food or habit that is attributed to "Eastern" or "Arab".

[@jessep8281]

How will they be able to promote their culture when the first thing they do once you arrive is harass and confiscate things from you lol

[@mrmr80doba]

I am afraid that people who lives next door neighbors always stealing our cuisine and claim its thier owner.. So if you see any arabic Levant bla bla food. Make sure it's egyptain

[@devendarjain7037]

it's literally boiled rice stuffed into vegetables! What's there to hype about 🤣🤣

[@arwasaadawy3346]

@@devendarjain7037 no the rice usually isn't boiled, the put it after turning off the fire. Mahashi is delicious and it deserve the hype if made right. you need to try it and the koshari I know they don't sound amazing but good ones are. there is many versions of Mahashi in Egypt and. many other countries I personally prefer my grandmother Mahashi.

[@georgek1357]

As an Egyptein, I truely appreciate this video because it captures Egypt's image in the right way and does it justice

[@ciecat6015]

The whole experience is surreal. The closeness of their community, the spirit, the get together.. it's amazing to see😮

[@maryserrano6448]

I truly appreciate seeing how other Countries celebrate their holidays. I enjoy seeing how their communities come together in cooking and having fun.

[@65WZ]

I didn't know that, makes me want to attend next Ramadan. أكرمكم الله، وتقبل الله صالح الأعمال.. الله يديم عليكم الروح الطيبة والمحبة، ويكثر خيركم

[@Aescoffier]

If everyone could get along like this more the world would be a better place

[@hadyahmed9819]

مصر ام الدنيا❤🇪🇬💪🏼

[@MohamedMokhtar]

Thank you, Al-Mataria. Every year, we have a large group iftar during Ramadan

[@jzain39]

I feel very proud of being an Egyptian and seeing our country being portrayed as beautifully❤

[@AS__J]

Your country trully beautiful

[@qhuizatlantis8484]

Beautiful country bad government

[@arshthakur8925]

Would like to sit on the same table as u and my other brothers. 😍 in sha. Allaha

[@jaideepsingh2405]

I will go back to 5:54 whenever I'm having a bad day. What a benign smile.

[@ProwalkTour]

Hello, my dear friend! Your video is not just a walk; it's a virtual travel experience. your content makes me feel like I'm right there. Your effort and attention to detail are commendable. Big thumbs up and subscribed for more amazing adventures! Looking forward to exploring more through your lens! Greeting from IRAN 🇮🇷. ❤

[@MichaelSacamos]

To everyone who sees this comment, keep pushing in life and never give up. Can't wait to see you successful one day and May God bless you!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@cloudlounger6903]

Visiting Egypt in the mid-90s was a very thoughtful and friendly experience. America needs THIS kind of 'pride' and fellowship, not .....well, you know....😢

[@buzonpham]

Love Insider Food from Vietnam ❤

[@ScottieBMan]

Wonderful how everyone comes together! Need stuff like this in USA ✌🏻

[@mustafakhanjiwala5582]

Faboulous Gesture. Indeed A Great Initiative and Initiative of Oneness. Alhamdolillah Shukranllilah.

[@AS__J]

Masha Allah,i love this,i love watch they can be happy and enjoy the food together🥲🥲🥲

[@izzati4947]

Missing old days in Mansoura❤ went for masged hopping during ramadhan , mahsyi😢

[@thandekadhlamini9101]

This is beautiful seriously 😢❤ Masha'allah

[@jessiimamii5113]

I didn't add spice because I didn't want to hurt them 🥺 BLESS THIS PURE SOUL

[@clips2319]

When you see these ladies cooking, you know the food is going to be just perfect.

[@feeesh4324]

I love that when Umm is making the stuffing for the vegetables, she says that she doesn't add too many chilis as some people don't like it spicy and she doesn't want to hurt them. She is such a considerate soul and I hope she is doing good :D

[@katherineex]

her name is not Umm, she wants to protect her privacy so she names herself Umm Mustafa? I believe? i forgot his name. anyways she names herself that because she was a son named Mustafa and Umm Mustafa means "Mustafa's Mom" in Arabic

[@4n4Queen]

no , um is not her name. Um is More likely a honorable titles.

[@mrmayor7828]

Incredible, absolutely incredible. 500 tables!

[@fernandorestelli]

Beautifully shot!

[@ekfkdlfvkdnwl4281]

subhanallah, this is amazing, i need to come here one day!

[@henryviape1201]

Bro that started out listing the food he liked and then immideatly followed it up with concluding its all good is a man after my own heart.

[@gabrieldta]

This is humanity at its best! =)

[@gokhancakmak1410]

This looks like a very nice feast, dolma is also good thank you :)

[@asifkabir7484]

I am coming next Ramadan inshallah 😊.

[@DapurBiru]

Delicious ❤

[@MissHoneyOnline]

Aww, that was so beautiful!

[@sabeenshahjehan8522]

So happy to see this ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Mindfookfilms]

It's a beautiful video.

[@abdohawas3604]

as egyptian thanks for insider to show good sides of our country 😍

[@DeenBot20x]

Amazing ❤❤❤❤❤

[@majd_shoots]

At 3:55 she said, “While umm is doing this” - every Arab who understands English is balling their eyes out from laughing 😂😂😂😂😂

[@WESPOTTHEM]

Ah man a full day of fast and cooking such tasty looking food, must be a patience test of these volunteers

[@himangshusingha8971]

Amazing

[@mercy1441]

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen!

[@funnyinfinity665]

this is so beautiful

[@villagetale12]

Hi 🧑‍🎤♥️I'm Iranian girl🧑‍🎤😍❤️ village cooking is relaxing and nice 😍❤️ thanks for your support 🌹🌹

[@TONI__KROOS]

How are things in iran?

[@HFC786]

MāshāAllāh

[@abdelrahmansaad4061]

El matareya the One and only 👍

[@celvinmendonca8468]

@best ever food review has a different perspective of Egypt!

[@ThexBorg]

What a fantastic celebration. I'd love to help and participate.

[@umsami]

Masha'Allah. One of the wonderful Ramadan traditions.

[@Hollietvshow]

Yummy❤❤❤❤

[@paulezay3599]

Look good

[@chadvix5861]

Calling Um Mustafa just Um is so funny, lmfao. Great video nonetheless.

[@SNEHASISH77]

i want to eat toooooo , ok gonna visit Egypt

[@mrmr80doba]

It's Egypt

[@soheilaamany1753]

Great . In Chenlam, I made stuffed mushrooms. Come and see😮

[@hussainalaa2361]

❤️

[@masoudahmad4348]

How i miss the month of Ramadan

[@germany456]

My gf is from Iran and now I’m so interested in Islam and anything with it like Arabic. She said my Arabic is better then her old brothers lol

[@sirazummunira3042]

Wish we had something like this in my country 😭

[@jennglow4647]

😮

[@mickl9567]

Egypt seems like a peaceful cities with lots of honest citizens , despite the darker sides of it , but at least safe for peoples to visit

[@Tortall2012]

I’m not Muslim so I don’t know if it would be allowed (or appropriate) but when the chef commented that the hardest part was making the meal while fasting because he isn’t able to taste it. My immediate thought was what if they had a member of a different religious community taste the food as it is cooked so the chefs are able to make sure it is properly seasoned. As I mentioned before I am not Muslim and I know very little about what goes into meal preparation for breaking the fast for Ramadan, so this idea is from an outsider perspective.

[@AbdulxEmara]

My mother used to ask our neighbor (a Coptic Christian) to taste our food for the whole month

[@arshthakur8925]

Good idea. Brother. Really appreciate your thought brother Bismillaha. May allaha guide you

[@Aeybiseediy]

Its actually permissible to taste the food while fasting. Just need to use tip of tongue and don't swallow the food. Also rinse your mouth afterwards.

[@arwasaadawy3346]

my family let my diabetic brother taste the food(as some people with health condition are forbidden from fasting), and kids and women in there period don't fast. its easy to find someone to taste the food.

[@Lolomail22]

U csn come next year and you will be welcomed insha Allah

[@melodyparra2960]

So much delicious looking food but how do they do the dishes and clean up that’s a lot of washing and scrubbing

[@MuhammadMohsin6060]

Hard thing about fasting and cooking is that you unconsciously taste things while making them and to control that is really the hardest part.

[@villainess9092]

blessing for all of my muslim brother & sisters

[@arshthakur8925]

Same to you brother

[@zodiacsama7693]

​@@arshthakur8925are you muslim?

[@armanahmed1358]

The tools that has been used to empty the inside of the vegetables, what is it called? Can someone tell me?

[@sadekmostafa123]

it called vegetable Corer

[@dabhai26]

I missed indonesia food mostly beef cow

[@iboken39]

*Um* actually isn’t in her first name , parents in in middle-east and North Africa are usually called by ( um/abo - then their first born name ) which translate into (mother/father of - first born name-) .

[@laxmikushwaha8333]

✝️🙌🏽✝️

[@XxxpainxxX111]

What is the chicken called? I wanna look up the recipe

[@Shams396]

They had two Shish tawook you need to search the Egyptian recipe not Lebanese and the other is chicken panne it’s a breaded chicken breast

[@JohnSmith-me4ik]

Though the Lebanese one is just as good

[@SufficientDaikon]

"middle eats" made a recipe recently, highly recommend

[@Jeyekomon]

6:20 All that single-use meal packaging...

[@burnlogic8407]

How did you get permission to film in Egypt? If I remember correctly the Egyptian authorities are pretty strict when it comes to filming for television or news media.

[@gamalmohammed2306]

Now they much open and they support more tourists

[@RiadhFelhi]

@أكلة عدنان

[@oreally69]

I love arabic food! That rice looks insanely good 🤤

[@Monibak]

You mean middle eastern food Arabic is a language

[@oreally69]

@@Monibak No, I mean arabic food. Middle east is a place.

[@Monibak]

@@oreally69 well, you're wrong Arabic is a language and Middle Eastern food is a thing unless you mean food from Arabs which would be Arab Food

[@oreally69]

@@Monibak No, I am right. Middle east is a region. It's in the middle of the east. And they have awesome arabic food. Okay, arab food. Deal on that conclusion?

[@mrmr80doba]

It's not arabic. It's egyptain

[@Amnok]

공동체를 중시하고, 감사할 줄 알며, 성적인 절제를 유지하는 집단이 미래의 헤게모니를 잡을 것이다

[@HelloAmDog]

My introverted self could not

[@unpampered]

Where do the adult women break the fast? I didn't see any on the street or at the tables.

[@elmadf3gy2020]

*IT'S NOT FOR MUSLIMS ONLY EVEN CHRISTIANS OF EGYPT DONATE AND CELEBRATE THIS DAY , EGYPT AND ARAB COUNTRIES HAS A LONG HISTORY OF TOGETHERNESS BETWEEN ALL RELIGIONS SADLY WEST DOESN'T WANT THIS TO GO ON AND THEY TRY TO DIVIDE THEM*

[@LandstreicherIndien]

Nice to know that. But then why is the population of Christians declining in Egypt for many years?

[@ahmedelprince9]

⁠​⁠@@LandstreicherIndien because living expenses in Egypt right now is super high compared to the salaries given. Christians have the privilege to ask for asylum in European and North America’s countries, and therefore they go for it. I am muslim and I have nothing but love for my Christian brothers and sisters.

[@mustafawail6493]

I'm a Muslim and Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims and we break our fast at maghrib

[@Aeybiseediy]

@@LandstreicherIndien ask them why ask the muslims?

[@degerbrocken2688]

I will join One Time 😊

[@7AK1-M]

As an Egyptian, it pains me very much to spend the month of Ramadan outside Egypt. The difference between Egypt and America is that the Egyptians confront you with food and cooperation, while the Americans confront you with weapons and show how they invincible

[@Helm_hammer]

You get a ring in your food if you are lucky at 0:18

[@johnb820]

Tell sonny Egypt is safe to film in now.

[@3asem5000]

It's save to vist without camera, still not save to film. Don't lie

[@SufficientDaikon]

not yet

[@tariqmostafa]

by the way this iftar was banned from AL cici at the beginning he is afraid of any crowd that might start the revolution against him and his gang that called army

[@AbdoTawdy]

Just to clearfy, who making mahshe (stuffed vigtables), that is not her real name, just like a nick name, the nick name is um mustafa which mean (mom of Mustafa) which usually woman in Egypt be called with (mom of her child name) as in Egypt traditionally somehow hiding the mother names

[@johnpaullaxa5486]

Are they really making it or they have cooks on their house? Its the middle east every house holds has helpers

[@abdelrahmana.abdelgawad6635]

the middle east is too large to use such a blanket statement, but anyway no house helpers aren't that common in egypt and people usually do cook their own food except maybe the wealthier folks but they make up a really small percentage of the population

[@johnpaullaxa5486]

@@abdelrahmana.abdelgawad6635 so these people are not wealthy huh.

[@MohamedAshraf-yy3nm]

​@@johnpaullaxa5486yea they are just normal egyptian

[@centrino007]

@@johnpaullaxa5486actually most are poor

[@tcmixman]

Every Muslim needs a Christian taste tester during Ramadan food prep 😋

[@misterbig9025]

For some reason Best Ever Food Review team had so many problems while making KZbin video in Egypt and discouraged anyone to go there.

[@OrlandoBP]

Porque hay un bot contactando por WhatsApp para que le dé me gusta y suscripción a esta mamada?

[@_Vancelvany_]

it's great but can't help but notice that there's barely any women in the streets, Claudia wasn't even there lol still behind the times in terms of equality from my POV must be good food but man, it's a sausage fest

[@mayapun5181]

Allha hubar

[@ropyelking4488]

25000 ضيف

[@Scho-penhauer]

But I heard that president Sissy banned this event this year!

[@edbasset5754]

MB media

[@ultrasonicradiation]

Looks like if the event gets any bigger, there will be a human stampede.

[@manchesterunited8390]

But how they cook bomb, You gotta show us that too😂😂

[@manchesterunited8390]

Insider food is from which country? Their Narrator has a painful accent man, They has taken pandering to whole New level😂😂

[@diogenes.]

Um is not her name 😂, oom means mother , like if your name is mike , your mother would be called " om mike " like a form of respect not to call her by name..

[@royjohnson465]

I hope aluminum pots are not used, stainless-steel pots are healthy and the best, because aluminum pots are not healthy.

[@sobysunny-oc6bv]

How Egyptians became from Pharaohs to Muslims. Quite Strange?.. Anyone can help in telling some history please

[@militarycomparisons]

the prophets send to you to lead you to the true way and the god is only one and all prophets worship same god this is simple answer

[@ghassencsetwow]

tell me single ethnic group that kept his relegion from thousands of years ago

[@fff8841]

​@@ghassencsetwow maybe Hindus

[@ghassencsetwow]

@@fff8841 nah it was Vedic relegion before that

[@user-or1rm1ol3q]

Just like most. Of the world became Muslims and christians it happens sometimes

[@IRON9LORD]

She thinks the name of the woman us Um 😪

[@emca1597]

I thought it was difficult to film in Egypt? due to their paranoid government, I'm surprised the filmers weren't stopped bt local police

[@SufficientDaikon]

it's a coin toss really, they got unlucky which really sucks

[@edbasset5754]

If you film next to a government or a security building, the will make your life difficult. Otherwise, they don't care. From a personal experience.