Today we’d like to introduce you to Waleed Asadi.
Hi Waleed, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When Covid hit in 2020 I was trying to find ways to keep myself busy in the house. Since we couldn’t go out to eat I thought why not try to learn how to make the foods I liked. I started cooking a lot and got better and better as time went on.
I also have a great love for photography and videography. I started taking pictures and videos of what I was making and posting them online. When lockdown ended my life went back to normal but I found myself missing the days I was chronically cooking and documenting each meal. I told myself that in 2024 I was going to start it up again and here I am 10 months later doing exactly what I hoped to do.
Today I am sharing all the foods I love, mostly of my Palestinian background, and showcasing the restaurants I love most in the SD and OC areas.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The biggest hurdle is myself. It takes a lot of effort to cook let alone cook and video at the same time. I’m trying to make sure the meal I’m making comes out beautiful and at the same time make sure the camera is exposed properly and find interesting angles for each step of the recipe.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance food videographer. I run my own social media (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Substack) where I share the recipes I make in written, photo, and video format. So whichever style you like to follow best, I make it available to you!
I specialize in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food, mostly of my Palestinian background. And that is also what I’m most proud of. We live in a time where Arabs are greatly misunderstood, I feel that my page is a great way to showcase that we are loving, caring, and family oriented people just like everybody else.
What sets me apart is my video style. I aim to breakdown each recipe into simple easy to follow steps. And when you watch me do it, you can see exactly how and why I do each step the way I do. I strive to inspire others to try cooking at home!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson has honestly been to believe in myself and not give up. We are always so easily deterred from putting effort into things we don’t see an immediate result from. Instant gratification has been my generations biggest hurdle. I need to always remind myself that I’m doing this because when I’m old and gray, I want to look back and see myself and my cooking evolve over the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: waleedasadi.com
- Instagram: @waleedasadi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@waleedasadi
Image Credits
Waleed Asadi
