Nigel Slater's Middle East: Lebanon

In a brand new series Nigel Slater embarks on a Middle Eastern food adventure, exploring some of the oldest and grandest cuisines in the world.

His first stop, Lebanon, exemplifies Levantine cuisine but is also influenced by its position on the Mediterranean. The flavours, colours and fragrances of the region have travelled the globe, but Nigel sets out to eat and cook with the people who make the dishes every day - home cooks. He also explores the landscapes and ingredients which define the recipes and dishes that have been passed on through generations.

Nigel starts his journey in the capital Beirut at the end of Ramadan, where he is invited to celebrate Eid with a local family, before travelling west to the Beqaa Valley close to the Syrian border and South to Nabatieh near Israel.

On his journey, Nigel explores the resilience of the country and its people, their survival and preservation through decades of war, and sees how this is reflected in their pride in their culture - and most importantly in their food.

Pictured: Nigel Slater in front of the Mohammad al Amin mosque, downtown Beirut Lebanon

Publicity contact: EK