BIOGRAPHY

Majid Chekroun found his inspiration for the love of spices and cooking from his mother's great culinary heritage (she has cooked all her life and is still turning out delicacies at the age of 82!) and from his Grandfather who was a Moroccan spice merchant. Majid is passionate about giving participants a taste of what real Moroccan food tastes like and showing them how easy it is to prepare.

I was born in the very cosmopolitain city of Casablanca where my childhood was impregnated with rich aromas, spices and very tasty Moroccan food. I spent my school holidays at my grandfather's warehouse and shop, playing amongst the bags of spices; the beautiful colours and aromas are engraved in my memory.

As I got older I enjoyed travelling to the most remote, ancient and authentic cities of Morocco. Marrakesh was always one of my favourite places to spend holidays. It’s ancient Jamaa Alfna sook, with it’s snake and monkey charmers, the air filled with the aromas of the food stalls have contributed to develop my sense of good Moroccan cuisine. I also loved visiting Essaouira where eating freshly caught & grilled sardines at the famous port was always a must.

I loved camping in remote parts of Morocco, being invited into houses of families in the remote Atlas mountains and at the edge of the Sahara desert in Morocco, made me realise how rich and diverse Moroccan cuisine is. I left Morocco to undertake University studies in Bordeaux thanks to a five year scholarship. There I was exposed to the delicacies of the cuisine of the South West of France, the famous confit de canard, cassoulet etc. I started to cook authentic Moroccan food more and more to remind me of home and my childhood.

The idea of creating Moroccan Spices and the desire to be involved with the food industry comes firstly from a deep passion for Moroccan cuisine: authentic, simple and tasty. Then to perpetuate my grandfather's passion, who travelled with his two brothers across Morocco as a spice merchant all his life. And last but not least, its a great way of keeping my son in touch with my heritage. Moroccan Spices is above all a wonderful opportunity to contribute and share my heritage with my fellow Australians.