Sameh Wadi is a Palestinian American chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and lifelong spice obsessive.

 

He first opened Saffron in 2007, earning acclaim for his playful, deeply personal approach to Middle Eastern cooking. Now reborn in Northeast Minneapolis, Saffron brings that vision into a new era through wood-fired cooking, bold flavors, and Palestinian hospitality.

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Sameh is also the chef and owner of Twin Cities mainstays World Street Kitchen and Milkjam Creamery. He believes that if something doesn’t bring you happiness, it probably isn’t worth your time—which explains the many hours he spends watching dog videos on Instagram.