Dubai, UAE – October 2025 – Zaroob and NoGarlicNoOnions are thrilled to announce the arrival of a new culinary hero for Season 2 – Avo Ohannes, the Armenian grill artist known for his passion, precision, and unforgettable flavors. From October 10th to October 19th, Dubai will get a taste of authentic Armenian street food like never before!
From Passion to Purpose
Avo Ohannes’ story began long before his name became synonymous with modern Armenian street food. As a child, he would skip studying just to spend time in the kitchen, watching, learning, and tasting. Cooking wasn’t a hobby — it was a calling.
What started as curiosity turned into a lifelong passion. Alongside his siblings, Avo opened a restaurant that brought the warmth of Armenian cuisine to his community. When his father passed away, he found strength in his love for cooking. With his wife by his side, a new chapter began — a family-run kitchen built on love, resilience, and the flavors of home. She helped prepare the dishes while he mastered the meats — tongues, kebabs, soujouk, and his signature basterma.
When Anthony Met Avo: A Friendship Forged Through Food
The story between Anthony Rahayel and Avo Ohannes began years ago, during a family lunch at Ohannes Restaurant in Lebanon. Anthony walked in expecting a good meal and left having met a man who cooked with his soul.
That day, surrounded by mezze, hummus, kebabs, cheese borek, and Armenian dishes, Anthony saw something special. Avo wasn’t just serving food — he was sharing memories, honoring his late father, and celebrating his culture through every plate. Anthony knew right then that Avo was one of those rare heroes, the kind who doesn’t just make food but tells stories through it. That’s why, years later, Avo joins Zaroob Season 2 to bring that same passion, energy, and heritage from his kitchen in Lebanon to Dubai.
The Basterma Master Comes From Lebanon to Dubai
Avo’s basterma isn’t just food — it’s a masterpiece. He treats it with the care of an artist, the precision of a craftsman, and the love of someone who lives for flavor. He’s “in love with the kitchen,” and every slice of basterma proves it.
Known for his authentic basterma sandwiches, makanek, soujouk, grilled kebabs, and tongue dishes, Avo brings the soul of Armenian street food to Zaroob. His sandwiches are rich, layered, and balanced — combining juicy meat, hand-blended spices, and traditional techniques passed down through generations.
This October, Zaroob Sheikh Zayed Road will come alive with the sights, sounds, and aromas of Armenian street food. The air will fill with the smell of sizzling basterma, smoked soujouk, and freshly grilled makanek, all brought directly from Lebanon to ensure every bite remains 100% authentic!
A New Hero Joins the Zaroob Family
As the latest addition to Season 2’s seven heroes, Avo Ohannes brings a new flavor to Zaroob’s mission — connecting cultures through authentic food and celebrating the real people behind the recipes. His arrival marks a meeting point between Armenian culinary heritage and Levantine vibrance, creating a moment Dubai won’t forget.
So mark your calendars and bring your appetite! You will be able to watch Avo live in action — grilling, slicing, layering sandwiches and serving guests with his modern Armenian street food. From October 10th to 19th, Zaroob Sheikh Zayed Road will be home to an experience that’s smoky, flavorful, emotional, and unforgettable.
About Zaroob
Zaroob, located on Sheikh Zayed Road and Motor City, is a Levantine street food restaurant offering an authentic dining experience with traditional Levantine food and contemporary flair. Known for its live cooking stations and vibrant atmosphere, Zaroob brings the best of Levantine food culture to Dubai.
About NoGarlicNoOnions
Founded by Anthony Rahayel, NoGarlicNoOnions is a renowned food and travel platform uncovering hidden culinary gems across Lebanon and the Arab world. Dedicated to sharing authentic stories and flavors, NGNO has become a trusted source for food lovers worldwide.
About Street Food Heroes
Street Food Heroes is a first-of-its-kind culinary movement in the UAE — a collaboration between NoGarlicNoOnions and Zaroob, founded and led by Anthony Rahayel, the visionary Lebanese food explorer and storyteller.
What started as a dream to uncover and celebrate hidden food gems across Lebanon has evolved into an international platform that’s now bringing authentic, passionate, everyday food makers to the world’s most dynamic food city — Dubai.
Through Street Food Heroes, NoGarlicNoOnions is shining a global spotlight on the real people behind the dishes — the cooks, the artisans, the street-side legends who have dedicated their lives to preserving authentic flavors. For the first time, these local food heroes are being given the chance to cook, create, and connect with new audiences in the heart of Dubai.
Each hero represents a story of culture, resilience, and flavor — from Lebanese foul masters and manakish makers to Armenian grill artists and village chefs — all bringing their food, traditions, and energy to Zaroob’s vibrant space.
This campaign isn’t just about food; it’s about economic growth, cultural pride, and opportunity. It’s about taking small-town talent to the next-level city — a city that celebrates diversity, innovation, and excellence in everything it serves.
With Anthony Rahayel’s unstoppable passion for storytelling and Zaroob’s vision for elevating Levantine and regional street food, Street Food Heroes is creating a movement that celebrates the true soul of Middle Eastern cuisine — and giving it the global stage it deserves.
Dubai has always been a city of possibilities — and now, it’s becoming the city of food heroes.
This is not just a campaign — it’s the start of a culinary empire built on authenticity, passion, and purpose.
Follow the Journey:
Instagram: @zaroob | @nogarlicnoonions
YouTube: Watch Avo & Anthony’s Story
