Our mission

The Hummus Academy is a non-profit initiative dedicated to celebrating hummus as a cultural heritage and a concept that connects people. Our philosophical, historical, and culinary approaches aim to build a more conscious, ethical, and delicious future that serves the planet and all living beings.

How do we do it

We use food for storytelling and community building, exploring diverse food cultures through events, workshops, and publications. While hummus is our starting point, our vision extends far beyond it.

Meet the Team

  • A man with a beard and dark hair, smiling and wearing a green sweater over a collared shirt, standing against a light-colored background.

    ​​Sobhi Khatib

    Chair of the Academy board and Head of Storytelling

    Sobhi is a consultant and educator on storytelling & communications, diversity & inclusion, strategy and innovation. Currently, he works with Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Oxford HR

  • A woman with curly black hair laughing and posing with one hand behind her head against a brown background.

    Umayya Abu Hanna

    Head of Research

    Umayya is a writer, cultural broker and journalist. Umayya’s new book researches histories of Palestine, including its cuisine, starting 1,5 million years ago

  • Mary Ann Jaraisy

    Treasurer of the Academy and Head of Design

    ​MaryAnn is a Graphic designer, cultural and event producer, co- founder of the iconic Sudfeh restaurant and cultural center in Nazareth. She is a potter, clay master and organic farmer

  • Portrait of a young man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt, posing in front of a modern architectural background with blue vertical panels and structural elements.

    Mohammad Badran

    Secretary of the Academy and Head of Anthropology

    Mohammad is an anthropologist, social designer at Open Embassy, community mobilizer at MB Capacity Development and Founder and Director at Syrian Volunteers in the Netherlands

  • A woman with long hair smiling at night, with colorful bokeh lights in the background.

    Dana Durr

    Head of Film and Music

    Dana is an animator, filmmaker, designer, singer-songwriter and musician. Dana studied and worked in four countries, graduated as an animator in London and The Netherlands and has internationally acclaimed films

  • A man in a tuxedo smiling at the camera, evening setting.

    Abdelkader Nassiri

    Advisory Board and Head of public affairs

    Abdelkader is a Moroccan- Dutch creative social justice activist and PR and communications manager. He has worked in media, the cultural sector, and currently at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. He is a program maker, ​networker, and event organizer