Recipes, Memories, and Mama’s Touch: The Kahawaty Cookbook Has Arrived

We recently caught up with Jessica Kahawaty at the launch of Kahawaty Jewels, the dazzling fine jewelry line she launched alongside her father. And just when we thought she couldn’t inspire us more, here comes the next chapter: a cookbook.

Yes, a cookbook. With her beloved mother by her side, with whom she created Mama Rita, a cloud kitchen serving delicious Lebanese food in the UAE, Jessica is now bringing family, heritage, and Mediterranean flavors to our kitchens. Through Mama Rita: Family Recipes from the Mediterranean, published with none other than Penguin Random House, essica Kahawaty is proving she’s not just a model or influencer, but a serial entrepreneur with stories (and recipes) worth sharing.

Out this September with Penguin Random House, Mama Rita is a love letter to three generations of home cooking. Co-authored with her mother, Rita Kahawaty, the cookbook brings the warmth and flavor of their Lebanese-Australian heritage into over 75 vibrant recipes, many of which formed the foundation of their Dubai-based food delivery brand, also named Mama Rita.

It’s more than a cookbook—it’s a celebration of family, culture, and food that feels like home. Shot on location in Lebanon and filled with personal stories and beautiful photography, the book bridges nostalgia with modern comfort.

So What’s Inside? You’ll find dishes like Not Soggy Fattoush (we love the name), Soulful Chicken Shawarma, and Grandma’s Vegetarian Lasagna (definitely the first dish we'll try), all written with the clarity and heart that home cooks crave. We're not talking haute cuisine experiments but rather soul food, done the Kahawaty way.

Each recipe is a tribute not just to the flavors of the Mediterranean, but to the bonds between mothers and daughters, generations and geographies. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a Deliveroo regular, Mama Rita promises recipes that feel like a warm hug (with a side of toum).

Jessica: A Modern Multi-Hyphenate

With a résumé that includes humanitarian work, fashion campaigns, and now two thriving family-run businesses, Jessica Kahawaty is becoming a serious blueprint for meaningful entrepreneurship. Where some chase hustle culture, Jessica brings intention; and a lot of style.

From her digital audience of over 1.5 million to her hands-on role in Mama Rita and Kahawaty Jewels, she’s building a brand that is as personal as it is aspirational. Her entrepreneurial ethos? Family first, purpose always, and a little bit of garlic never hurts.

Mama Rita: Family Recipes from the Mediterranean
Out: September 4, 2025
Format: Hardback
Price: £30
Pre-order now on this link