Women’s History Month Celebration at Le Skewer

Saturday, March 16 from 6-8 PM, Le Skewer in Brentwood is hosting a Women’s History Month event: “Celebration of Spirit.” I’m so honored to be part of the special program organized by Pablo Garzon who will provide music with his Serenatta Romantic Latin Ensemble. I’ve been a fan since interviewing Pablo for HispanicNashville.com years ago and appreciate the effort he and Le Skewer owner Ghada Fawaz have put into the planning which includes a special menu prepared by Chef William Zaitz.
Jill Melton, founder and editor of Edible Nashville, a magazine telling the story behind Music City’s local food movement and green living and Viki Mammina, local artist who will display her work and unveil a special painting for the occasion, will speak about their journeys as women of passion and purpose. I will share from my adventures of living two years in Morocco where I encountered amazing women from the past, present, and future, such as Josephine Baker and the precious girls of Project SOAR.
Ghada wants this night to be about women recognizing their strength. Recently I stopped by Le Skewer to talk with her over the most delicious, relaxing lunch. The sea-blue hues, Spanish guitar, and comfortable conversation made me feel I was in a cafe on the Mediterranean again. It seemed I’d known Ghada forever, probably because parts of our paths have been similar. For a long time she was a single mom, too. We credit our faith for surviving and thriving. We both tried to raise strong girls. And when we were girls–her in Beirut, Lebanon and me in my hometown in Kentucky–we loved to watch General Hospital.

Girl Power (Photo courtesy of Ghada Fawaz)

Ghada says she’d always dreamed of having a place of her own. Like a lot of women, she had to wait until her children were older to pursue it. She is the only daughter in a family of three brothers and says her father wore the same five suits ten years to give his kids a good education. She learned to cook by watching her mom whose recipes are the foundation of dishes served at Epice and Kalamata’s restaurants owned by her brother.
She says it is her husband, Executive Chef of 35 years, Will Zaitz, who helped her understand food–how to combine flavors. She assists him in bringing Middle Eastern flavors to their fresh cuisine. She says, “He is part of my success and I appreciate it.”
She started her restaurant in 2008 during the recession and says with all the recent change– construction of new eateries and so many choices–it’s hard in her industry to keep up. But as you’ll hear below, she’d determined to do just that–to make Le Skewer a destination–and, no doubt, she’s doing it. Listen below to Ghada’s story in her own words…