Chef Amirah
Amirah Nata Abdul-Hakeem is a real foodie at heart. She is very passionate about food, whether it is cooking, talking with friends, wandering the markets of NYC or testing the newest culinary gadgets. Chef Amirah loves to cook and share her knowledge of food with others. Amirah is a culinary lover with an entrepreneurial spirit whose passion is to create an five start culinary experience within any kitchen environment. Perhaps it is her heritage and mothers magical family meals that inspired Amirah—at an early age—to become a chef. After attending Culinary School, Amirah worked in family-style restaurants in Brooklyn, and Manhattan learning about quality ingredients and attention to detail. Chef Amirahs creativity and culinary knowledge of blending foods cultivates client loyalty. Chef Amirahs clients are always impressed by her creativity, use of locally ingredients and sophistication in presentation."I believe that people should open there mind to great food people don’t have to be rich to enjoy a Five star meal.
Halal Food & What It Means
In Arabic, the word halal means permitted or lawful. Halal foods are foods that are allowed under Islamic dietary guidelines. According to these guidelines gathered from the Qu'ran, Muslim followers cannot consume the following:
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pork or pork by products
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animals that were dead prior to slaughtering
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animals not slaughtered properly or not slaughtered in the name of Allah
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blood and blood by products
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alcohol
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carnivorous animals
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birds of prey
These prohibited foods and ingredients are called haram , meaning forbidden in Arabic.
Halal is One of the Most Humane Methods of Animal Slaughter
We Muslims are taught through the Qu'ran that all animals should be treated with respect and well cared for. The goal is to slaughter the animal, limiting the amount of pain the animal will endure. When an animal is slaughtered, the jugular vein is cut and the blood is allowed to drain from the animal.
