Samaya Boueri Ziade

Samaya Boueri Ziade is the Chef/Owner of Sawa, the modern Lebanese restaurant that celebrates the joyful togetherness that defines the Lebanese dining experience, located in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Originally born and raised in Lebanon, Samaya grew up within Beirut’s passionate hospitality culture, where the table and family are one, and food is not just a meal, but also represents care, safety, connection, and togetherness—the very essence of Sawa (which also means “together” in Lebanese Arabic). Now a Brooklynite, with a family of her own, Samaya aims to bring that sense of connection and share her love and knowledge of Levantine cuisine through Sawa. Prior to opening Sawa, Samaya worked in the travel industry, and eventually found herself drawn to the world of cooking after having two children. She began to take culinary classes and collaborated with other chefs to hone her skills and immerse herself in the culinary scene, eventually leading her to hold pop-up dining experiences throughout Park Slope. After witnessing multiple crises affecting the Lebanese people, from the failing economy, the 2020 Beirut explosion, and of course the global COVID-19 pandemic, Samaya was inspired to start Sawa in collaboration with her brother and restaurant partner George Boueri, and Chef de Cuisine Soroosh Golbabae (formerly of Eyval, Sofreh and Gramercy Tavern), to bring people together and to underscore a sense of solidarity and community.