KEY POINTS

  • Mia Khalifa likened “Lebanese” to chef José Andrés' restaurant Zaytinya
  • Andrés and his nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen fed the Lebanese people after the massive explosions in Beirut
  • The ex-porn star has nothing but good words for Lebanon even though she’s banned from entering the country

Mia Khalifa acknowledged chef José Andrés for helping Lebanon and shared that she would respond, "like Zaytinya," whenever she’s asked, “What’s Lebanese?”

Andrés has just visited Beirut to help feed the people there following the massive explosions in the city weeks ago. The chef is the founder of the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen that distributes individually packaged, fresh meals to communities that need support. His effort didn't go unnoticed to Khalifa who has been actively raising funds for Beirut.

"Merci ktir, chef the Lebanese have always looked at you like a pioneer for representation in the food industry. Growing up in the DMV when people would ask me 'what’s Lebanese?' I would simply answer proudly ‘like Zaytinya!’" Khalifa wrote.

Zaytinya is a restaurant in Washington DC that offers innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. It is a product of Andrés' deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel.

Zaytinya is among the most popular restaurants in Washington since it opened in 2002 and constantly ranks as a top DC dining destination. It was also awarded with a Bib Gourmand in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Michelin Guide to Washington DC.

The chef praised the Lebanese people for their resilience after the massive explosion in Beirut. In a tweet, he announced that he was leaving, but he will return and World Central Kitchen will be staying for more days.

"People of Lebanon! People of Beirut! Thank you for showing the world that nothing will stop you, that all is possible if We work together! @WCKitchen will stay in Beirut few more days...#ChefsForBeirut but dreams of bigger projects here. I’m leaving now but I will be back," he wrote on Twitter.

In related news, Khalifa was banned from entering Lebanon due to her stint in the porn industry. However, she has nothing but kind words for her home country.

“I’ve been banned from my home country but I’ll never stop telling everyone who will listen how it’s the most beautiful, delicious, and heart warming place in the world," she wrote on Twitter.

Mia Khalifa x
Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson was met with hundreds of responses when he asked, "Who is Mia Khalifa." Instagram/Mia Khalifa
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