Bringing Lebanon to Belize with Chef Roger’s Cuisine  

Belize is a shining example of diversity, with many communities coming together to create the nation’s unique cultural tapestry. Among these groups are the Lebanese, who, though not the majority, add to Belize’s distinct society. In today’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday, we catch up with Roger Beaino, the owner of Chef Roger’s Restaurant and Catering, a popular Lebanese spot in Belize City. He shares how he blends his love for Lebanon and Belize through his food. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Despite its small size, with a population of just over four hundred thousand, Belize remains a cultural hub in the region. Among the diverse ethnic groups that have blended into Belizean culture is the Lebanese community. One of the few hundred Lebanese Belizeans is Roger Beaino, who has called Belize home for over twenty-three years. As the owner of Chef Roger’s Restaurant and Catering in Belize City, Roger spends his days from eight a.m. to eight p.m. in the kitchen, passionately preparing authentic Lebanese cuisine for the people of Belize.

 

 Roger Beaino, Owner, Chef Roger

“At this point, I’m very happy because I notice many Belizeans come to our place. First time they try and they really love it and they keep coming. It’s not, first time they come and then they never come back. They come for breakfast sometime, lunch and dinner for the same day. Like yesterday, we had some person come and then they come to order a chicken wrap, simple chicken wraps. They come for lunch and then she came back for dinner. She say, I love your food. That’s why I come back again, because I really love it.”

 

Through his cooking, Chef Roger has built strong connections with Belizeans. The more people he meets, the deeper his love for Belize grows. By preparing the dishes he learned in his mother’s kitchen, he keeps his ties to Beirut alive.

 

Roger Beaino

“At the beginning, it was a little difficult for us because completely different culture and when I came here it was little hard, but after a while I start to become more comfortable and start to meet more people more lovely people actually.”

Today, many Lebanese Belizeans live in the Cayo District, drawn by its beautiful flora and fauna. Beaino believes that despite the differences between Belize and Lebanon, they share similarities in their stunning environments, love for flavorful food, and the sincerity of their people.

 

Roger Beaino

“I believe the first Lebanese come to Belize in 1930, I believe, looking for a better opportunity, better life. Lebanon is a beautiful country as well. Just like Belize. Both country have similar, we have nature, we have sea. It’s the only thing different is the weather, but the connection between is I believe, the people, the lovely people, the humble people. Actually. That’s how we have the best connection. I believe I best connect with Lebanon and Belize.”

 

Chef Roger has become famous for his fresh pita bread. Over the years, he has perfected his dough recipe, which is used for dishes such as manoushe and his various wraps.

 

Roger Beaino

“Typical, we call it manoushe. We do different topping as well. We do spinach, we do spinach and cheese as well. We do eggs. If you love eggs in the morning, we can to do the eggs. Right now we have meat and eggs as well, which is, we just top it like this. If you want some vegetables as well, we can do.”

 

Chef Roger’s menu offers more than just popular chicken wraps and lamb kebabs. It includes delicious dishes like baba ganoush, made with roasted eggplants, and hummus made from chickpeas. He encourages every Belizean to step outside their comfort zone and try something new—your next favorite meal might be just around the corner.

 

Roger Beaino

“I know it’s hard to try something new. And I know people know they don’t want to spend on something they don’t want don’t like. I’ll give you an example. For example, a person he’s been my customer for a good while. He always order chicken wrap all the time. So one day he come and tell me can I get chicken wrap with hummus and garlic, do you think I will like it. I tell him, If you like it, you pay for it. If you don’t like it, don’t pay. So he say, okay, then I will take it. So he take it and then that’s it. After that, he just want a chicken wrap, hummus and garlic. That’s it. So it’s keep in his mind that you have to try something new, something different culture. Other than that, you will not be able to know what is that food.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.