Gaza culinary academy gives students hope despite years of war

In the middle of a city scarred by conflict, a culinary school in Gaza is helping students rebuild their futures one recipe at a time.

In the middle of a city scarred by conflict, a culinary school in Gaza is helping students rebuild their futures one recipe at a time. Smile Kitchen Culinary Academy in Gaza City has survived being destroyed twice during the war, yet it has reopened its doors to offer training and hope to people determined to create better lives despite the devastation around them.

Inside the academy, students carefully prepare meals under the guidance of experienced instructors. While the surroundings reflect years of destruction, the classrooms offer a rare sense of purpose and routine. For many of those attending, learning professional cooking skills is more than an educational opportunity. It is a chance to earn a living in a place where jobs have become increasingly difficult to find after years of conflict and economic hardship.

One of the students, 34 year old Huda Zamo, said her life changed completely after the war forced her from her home. Before the conflict, she operated an online clothing business, but displacement and the collapse of normal economic activity pushed her to consider a different career. After witnessing widespread food shortages and growing demand for prepared meals, she decided to start a food business. She enrolled at the academy after discovering its training programme through social media and believes the new skills will help her turn her business idea into reality.

According to the United Nations, around 1.6 million people in Gaza are experiencing severe food insecurity.  Restrictions on the movement of goods into the territory have contributed to shortages, while many families continue to struggle with rising prices and limited access to essential supplies. In these difficult conditions, the academy has become a valuable source of practical education for people hoping to build independent careers.

The school’s director, Ahmed Abu Taha, said the academy first opened in 2016 but was damaged in Israeli attacks in 2021 and again in 2023. Following the second attack, it remained closed for three years before reopening earlier this year with new equipment and renewed determination. He said the strong interest shown by students proves that many people in Gaza remain committed to improving their future despite the hardships they continue to face. Some students also hope to earn internationally recognised qualifications that could allow them to work in hotels and restaurants outside Gaza if opportunities become available.

Teaching the courses has not been easy. Instructor Nabil Al Shawaf explained that frequent shortages of ingredients, expensive fuel and unreliable electricity have forced the academy to constantly adapt its lessons. Despite these challenges, he continues to train students using whatever resources are available, believing that practical skills remain one of the most valuable investments people can make during uncertain times.

Although humanitarian aid has increased since the ceasefire reached in late 2025, many essential goods remain too costly for ordinary families. Large areas of farmland have also been damaged during the conflict, reducing local food production and increasing dependence on imported supplies. Security concerns remain as violence continues to affect parts of Gaza, leaving many people uncertain about what lies ahead.

Even with those challenges, students like Huda Zamo remain determined to succeed. She hopes to expand her food business by introducing creative dishes and offering customers something different from traditional restaurants. For her and many of her classmates, the academy represents far more than a cooking school. It is a place where determination, resilience and hope continue to survive despite the hardships surrounding them.