Gail Leonard is a self-confessed food obsessive hailing from Yorkshire, but currently living in the Fez Medina where she started her company Fez Food less than a year ago. Her skills for seeking out small artisan producers and amazing ingredients translate into culinary adventures all over Morocco and range from wine tasting in the hidden wineries of Meknes, to tours of ancient olive presses, artisan couscous co-operatives and contemporary cheese farms. Me , mates, meat

GAIL LEONARD

The Fabulous Foodie Femme of Fes

Gail with her daughter Francesca

Situated off Talaa Kbira is the quirky, creative and busy domicile/office of Gail Leonard, owner and founder of Fez Food.

Fez Food is the latest manifestation of Gail’s incredible imagination and unique blend of talents. Gail has tossed her traveler’s experience, business acumen and exuberant appreciation for exploring the possibilities life into the food cart of her mind and has come up fresh ingredients for an experiential, culinary-based business. But her business is more than a clever idea; it also acknowledges and pays homage to a fundamental component which strongly binds Moroccans to their culture … Food!

Fez Food offers culinary experiences which invites visitors and residents alike to explore the depth and breadth of the traditional Moroccan food experience and acquire a direct and focused experience into Moroccan culture. It’s having devised this path into the culture that really enervates Gail.  Researching and organizing local makers of honey, wine, cheese, olive oil and jams, and then packaging them into one-of-a-kind daytrips and week-long adventures has provided Gail with incredible insights into a fundamental expression of culture and she’s ready to share them with the world.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Faces in the Medina – Gail Leonard


Gail Leonard, fabulously 40, previously ran a drug and alcohol agency in Yorkshire following a lot of research around the world, most notably 10 years in Berlin and a year in Tokyo whilst studying.

Loving the buzz of such extreme cities, she came to Fez for the first time in 2004 with her then partner. When I asked her “why Fez?” her eyes lit up.

“I Immediately fell in love with Fez because of the mystery and madness that the city offers at every single turn!”.

Now embarking on a whole new adventure she has set up FezFood to promote cooking lessons and foodie adventures in the Fez region. What better way to access the local authentic culture, than by exploring the food and drinks that sustain it! Her first client is Clock Kitchen, café clock’s new cooking school, other ventures include trips to the Middle Atlas to hand roll couscous, tastings and tours of Meknes wineries and more delights are in progress. “I’m always on the lookout for people offering new culinary adventures in the region,” Gail says.

Her favourite street food – chalouine (or hoummus quiche!) hard to find but worth it!
Favourite cafe – Café clock (”The staff do a great job at looking after my toddler Francesca whilst Mummy gets stuck into researching the cake!”)
Favourite restaurant – Fes et gestes for great Moroccan fare
Favourite getaway – anywhere by the sea with great food!
Favourite dish to cook – tanjia.

What was so special about tanjia?

“The first time I felt properly embraced by my local community was the time I cooked tanjia. The whole street got involved in helping me with shopping, spices, translation at the community oven (Feran) and finally at the hammam furnace. Amazing!”

Given the forty-plus days in Fez, I could not avoid asking how she remains so cool and energtic.

“My secret for surviving the heat? Eating the best ice cream in Fez at The Villa and total immersion therapy (in Francesca’s princess paddling pool !)