Q: What do you do at Sidon?

“As the kitchen manager, I directly manage the Sidon restaurant team, which connects across the business. We have many moving parts in order to keep the freshest products available to everyone. I spend most of my time at the restaurant itself preparing food and overseeing operations.”

Q: How long have you worked here?

“I’ve been here for about 4 years; I started at the end of 2020.”

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

“I take pride in helping to provide a unique experience for both our customers and our staff. The Sidon team cares deeply about the quality of the food and service we provide. I feel blessed and proud to work for an independent business rooted in traditional cultural values. We believe that in today’s zeitgeist, this is a large part of what makes us different and inspires our continued growth. Every day has been a learning experience for me.

Q: What is one of the most memorable moments you’ve had at work?

“This is kind of bittersweet, but I went through a difficult time when my grandfather passed away. However, when I returned to work, I was welcomed with so much support from the team, even from people with whom I wasn’t very close.”

Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give a new employee joining the team?

“Commit yourself to learning the culture and immersing yourself in the community. There are a lot of moving parts here, so have some patience and you will see how everything comes together.”

Q: What’s your favorite way to spend your days off?

“I spend my days off learning more about the things I love. I’m very passionate about agriculture, especially mycology. I have a garden I tend to year round. I’m also a tea lover; I make teas from scratch and love to experiment with new ingredients. Overall, I love feeling connected to nature.”

Q: What inspires you?

“I am constantly inspired by the strength of Lebanese culture. We are in Ohio, an ocean away from Lebanon, but the community here keeps the culture thriving. Even though it’s not my culture, I am proud to learn from and represent it.”

Q: What is your favorite item on the menu?

“My go-to meal is an arugula salad with a lamb kabob skewer on the side. They compliment each other so well!”

Q: Why should people dine at Sidon?

“We offer a unique experience for Toledoans and visitors alike. We have an extensive menu that touches on so many parts of the Lebanese cuisine; there’s always something new to try. We stay true to our values and don’t try to fit in. We are also deeply invested in the local community; we source ingredients and supplies locally as often as we can.”