Dervish Mazza

Hand prepared with love, DervishMazza is an authentic tastes of the Middle East/ Mediterranean...

Born in Cairo, Mo grew up in a loving household where his mother’s cooking, and the surrounding Egyptian culture, etched his worldview. Every morning, his grandfather prepared fūl—a savory stew of fava beans—for the workers at a local textile factory. This nurturing morning ritual of savoring fūl awakened his palette and set his culinary course. His first job was at a French bakery down the street from his childhood home. Later on, Mo's passion for cooking was molded by years in France and nearly two decades at renowned kitchens in New York City. Upon settling in Minneapolis, he founded DervishMazza, an intimate hospitality concept that offers the very best of Mo’s cuisine and warm hospitality, dinner events, private catering and take-out.

Mo presents a Smörgåsbord of Middle eastern/Mediterranean specialties, many being vegetarian and vegan, from the finest locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. He has a weakness for Lebanese pomegranate molasses and anise liquor, dried hibiscus flowers from Egypt, and French feta cheese. A meal at Mo's typically begins with an Arak aperitif, whetting the appetite for an eclectic spread of Mazza* deftly paired with wine and cocktails. In his free time, he cooks for Minneapolis-based charity Eat for Equity as well as developing side projects, like Saha, a custom ginger elixir.

*Definition: MAZZA An assortment of dishes served as appetizers, accompaniments to main dishes, or a complete meal in itself.

An age old culinary tradition of Middle Eastern cuisine from Morocco to Persia.