I immigrated with my parents and seven siblings to the United States from Jordan in 1978 searching for a better life and more opportunities.

As a teacher in Jordan at the time, I was hesitant to leave my job and immigrate as I knew little about life in the US then. My mom packed comforters & pots and pans for the flight, making it clear that we were facing the unknown, but we would be warm and well-fed :)

My chemistry degree allowed me to hold a few jobs weeks after arriving to the states. I began teaching mathematics at a private school and working in a brass manufacturing company, not a bad start!

After obtaining my graduate degree in Mathematics Education, I started teaching at a local community college in 1989. I have continued to teach Algebra at our local community college in Spokane to this day while building my side passion of sharing food & culture.

Aside from my teaching, I have a boundless passion for cooking. My passion for cooking developed a long time ago when my husband opened a restaurant in 1991. My late husband and I tried to modify some Jordanian recipes to the liking of American taste buds. At our restaurant, “Mediterranean Delight” in the historic Paulson building in Spokane, WA, we served Middle Eastern homemade recipes including soups and salads, tabouli salad, and homemade falafel among many other delicious signature dishes.

Our popular pastry dessert, Baklava, was homemade by me weekly for the restaurant and quickly received high praise by friends, family and restaurant customers alike. Still my most popular & favorite recipe savored by many in our community.

Sharing traditional food from my home country is a form of sharing and keeping my culture alive in a rapidly changing world. Hospitality and sharing food with close friends and family are strong values in the Jordanian culture that I feel are essential to staying connected to what hold closest in our hearts.

Nearly every week I share family dinners with my children. As they became more and more interested in cooking, I was encouraged to create a YouTube channel, “KAMILIA’S KITCHEN” so my children can easily access our family recipes: With over 100 recipes and growing, from hummus to kubbeh, stuffed grape leaves, and so much more. I welcome you to my and hope you try out my recipes in your own home with your family and friends and keep the tradition going!