Eid is more than a celebration – it’s a tapestry of flavours, traditions and love woven around the table. For our team, the meals prepared and shared are not only about taste, but about the stories and memories they carry. Here, they share some of their favourite dishes to feast on, and the meaning behind them.
Hannah Forbes, Designer
My favourite Eid dish is the dessert Gulab Jamun. It’s such a simple dessert, but it means the world to me. My gran’s sister used to make it just for me, all year round. She even went so far as to hide it away from the other relatives so I could take it home. Whenever I visited, we’d sit together with tea and Gulab Jamun, bonding over family stories. That’s why it will always be my favourite Eid treat. It’s so much more than something sweet – to me, it’s love. It represents time, effort and care. Even though I don’t eat Gulab Jamun unless it’s made by her, twice a year, it remains a beautiful reminder of how much love can be poured into something so small.
Kauthar Adams, Copy Editor
Since I can remember, my mom has made chicken pie for Eid morning. It’s a tradition my family looks forward to every year – having pie for breakfast. It almost feels like a treat for fasting the whole month. There’s always enough left over for lunch and supper (along with all the other food), because our tummies still have to get used to all the daytime eating. If we’re lucky, there’s even enough left for school or work the next day.
Taahirah Wallie, Advertising Sales Co-Ordinator
Eid is a special occasion that we get to enjoy with friends and family. For me, it represents gratitude, togetherness, and celebration. The house is filled with laughter, stories and the comforting aroma of home-cooked food.
On our Eid table, you’ll find traditional meals such as fragrant biryani, seafood dishes like crayfish curry and prawns, and tender corned beef. And of course, we can’t forget the sweet taste of dessert that follows.
It’s not just about the food, but the feeling that comes with it. These meals carry our Cape Malay traditions, recipes passed down through generations, and the love that goes into preparing each dish.
Malika Johnson, Managing Editor
Growing up, Eid was such a special time in our home. I remember the excitement I felt seeing all the delicious treats laid out on the table for visitors who came to greet us. Those treats were meant for our guests, but as a child I was forever sneaking back for little nibbles throughout the day.
My mum would cook up a storm every Eid, filling the house with the most incredible aromas. Everything she made was delicious, but the dish that always stood out for me was her crayfish curry. It quickly became my absolute favourite and something I looked forward to year after year.
Now that I have my own family, I’ve carried on that tradition by making crayfish curry for them on Eid. It’s a dish that brings back so many fond memories of my childhood and reminds me of the warmth, generosity and togetherness that makes Eid so special.
Aneeqah Emeran, Digital Editor
My favourite Eid tradition is a breakfast spread for our family and friends. Every year, my mom makes a large steak pie in a sheet pan that’s cut into squares and shared around the table, along with homemade bread served with corned beef and corned tongue. Throughout the morning, there’s tea brewing and juices being poured as family and friends stop by to celebrate. It’s not part of our main Eid lunch, but it’s one of the most special parts of the day for me – sitting together, sharing simple but delicious food and welcoming everyone who pops in.
Photography: Freepik
