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JIWAN X DARA DINING: A ONE-DAY CULINARY COLLABORATION
23 January, 2026
Michelin-recognized Jiwan welcomes Chef Sara Aqel for an exclusive four-hands tasting menu that blends Levantine tradition with contemporary culinary artistry.
On 23 January 2026, Jiwan, the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand–recognized restaurant within the National Museum of Qatar, will host Dara Dining by Sara Aqel. The Amman-based restaurant ranks #18 on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants. The chefs will present an exclusive one-day four-hands dining experience.
Dara Dining will travel from Amman, Jordan, to Doha for this culinary exchange. The collaboration celebrates shared Arab flavours and culinary memory. It also highlights the communal table as a place of connection.
Welcoming Dara Dining to Qatar
This collaboration marks Chef Sara Aqel’s Doha debut. She leads Dara Dining as Chef and Managing Partner. Chef Julien Guilloret, Head Chef of Jiwan, will welcome her to Qatar. Together, the chefs bring distinct culinary identities to a thoughtfully crafted menu.
The menu reflects regional heritage and contemporary expression. The National Museum of Qatar provides a rich cultural setting. Within this space, Jiwan continues to champion regional dialogue through food.
Tradition in Modern Dialogue
The Jiwan x Dara Dining collaboration builds on familiarity rather than reinvention. The chefs place recognizable flavors into a modern conversation. They do so through shared technique, storytelling, and respect for ingredients.
The chefs aim to create a dining experience that feels warm and comforting. They also invite curiosity and discovery through refined presentation and thoughtful composition.
A Shared Tasting Menu
Guests will enjoy a tasting menu where each dish stays true to its creator. Served together, the dishes form a cohesive culinary narrative. The menu prioritises balance and harmony.
From Chef Julien Guilloret’s kitchen, guests will experience Jiwan’s modern interpretations of tradition. These include the signature harees, prepared from whole wheat slow-cooked with chicken, spices, and ghee.
Chef Sara Aqel presents Dara Dining’s contemporary Levantine expressions. One highlight, Khubbeizeh, features a wild-growing green native to the Levant. She pairs it with labneh jareshia.
An Invitation to Gather
The Jiwan x Dara Dining pop-up will take place for one day only. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner seatings on 23 January 2026. The experience invites guests to gather, share, and connect. It expresses a collective Arab culinary heritage through two distinct yet harmonious voices.
