Description
Mechwar w Sofra Ep.6 | Discovering Qornet Chehwan. Sharing Julitta’s Table. Italian Roots & Desserts
.
Presented by Puidor, Episode 6 of Mechwar w Sofra takes Anthony Rahayel and Chef Jean to Qornet Chehwan — discovering its old village streets, churches and chapels, local gathering places and some of the people and stories that give the area its character.
Then we arrive at Julitta Nohra’s home.
Julitta’s story brings a completely different culinary heritage to Mechwar w Sofra.
Both her mother and grandmother came from Italy, and through them Julitta inherited a deep connection to Italian cooking, traditional recipes and desserts passed down through generations.
Today, those Italian roots are still very much alive in her kitchen.
Chef Jean joins Julitta to prepare Osobuco and Lemon Hello Tiramisu — two dishes that open the door to family memories, techniques learned over the years and the Italian traditions that have travelled from one generation to another.
Meanwhile, Anthony continues discovering Qornet Chehwan before everyone eventually comes together around Julitta’s table.
This time, our journey through Lebanon leads us somewhere unexpected.
A Lebanese village.
An Italian family heritage.
Recipes passed down through generations.
And a table where two cultures feel completely at home together.
Presented by Puidor
.
.
Italian roots, Lebanese hospitality, and a table full of family favourites! In Episode 6 of Mechwar w Sofra, Anthony Rahayel explores Qornet Chehwan and the surrounding Metn villages before joining Julitta for a homemade Italian lunch.
This journey is personal. We return to the neighbourhoods where I grew up, revisit familiar flavours, discover local heritage, and finish around a generous table with someone I’ve known for years.
A BREAKFAST FULL OF MEMORIES
We begin with manakish at a bakery connected to my childhood: fragrant zaatar, a special cheese mixture, and memories of Armenian lahm bi ajin. It’s a delicious reminder of how a familiar bakery can bring years of stories back in one bite.
MEET JULITTA, OUR NONNA
Julitta’s mother was Italian, and Italian cooking remains a favourite with her children and grandchildren.
Today, she welcomes us into her kitchen to prepare slow-cooked osso buco: veal shanks with tomato sauce, carrots, celery, and wine, cooked gently until tender.
There’s also pasta, a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, and a lemon tiramisu waiting for dessert.
EXPLORING QORNET CHEHWAN & THE METN
While lunch cooks, we head out to discover the area.
At Saint Joseph School in Qornet Chehwan, we take a closer look at a remarkable French-made bell. Then we visit Ain Aar’s old square, admire traditional houses, and talk about the region’s silk-making heritage.
In Beit Chabab, we stop for ice cream, including a fig flavour that leaves a lasting impression. We continue towards Bikfaya, sharing memories of family outings, school days, and growing up in this part of Lebanon.
AN ITALIAN-INSPIRED TABLE
Back at Julitta’s home, her daughter Natasha prepares the table using everyday ingredients as decoration: pasta, vegetables, bread, and grissini.
She shares simple ideas for creating a welcoming setting with colour, texture, and thoughtful details.
JULITTA’S FINISHING TOUCH
Before serving the osso buco, Julitta shares her finishing touch: chopped parsley and lemon zest, with garlic added separately for those who enjoy it.
Then it’s time to sit down together, taste the tender meat and pasta, and enjoy a Caprese salad with either pesto or a Lebanese twist—pomegranate molasses.
A LEMON TIRAMISU FINALE
For dessert, Julitta replaces the usual coffee-soaked biscuits with a lemon version using Darina lemon drink, mascarpone, whipped cream, and lemon zest.
It’s a bright, creamy ending to a day of memories, village discoveries, and home cooking.
Mechwar w Sofra is created in collaboration with Boecker. This episode’s kitchen also features tomato products from Bou d’Or, Domo whipped cream, and Darina lemon drink.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome to Mechwar w Sofra
01:51 A first look at the osso buco
02:50 Childhood memories and manakish
04:46 Arriving at Julitta’s home
05:28 Meet Nonna and discover the menu
06:24 Lemon tiramisu and Caprese preparations
08:39 A remarkable bell in Qornet Chehwan
10:48 Julitta’s Italian roots
11:45 Ain Aar’s old square and silk heritage
13:09 Beit Chabab and fig ice cream
15:09 Bikfaya and memories of the Metn
17:21 Natasha’s Italian-inspired table setting
18:42 Final lunch preparations
21:48 The osso buco finishing touch
23:26 Sharing Julitta’s table
25:35 Lemon tiramisu and final impressions
27:14 Behind-the-scenes moments
Which would you try first: the osso buco, the fig ice cream, or Julitta’s lemon tiramisu?
#MechwarWSofra #AnthonyRahayel #NoGarlicNoOnions #QornetChehwan #ItalianFood #OssoBuco #LemonTiramisu #Lebanon #مشوار_وسفرة #قرنة_شهوان #انطوني_رحيل #لقمتنا_بتجمعنا
Le2metna Btejma3na — لقمتنا بتجمعنا.