This week on The Travel Date, host Angelica-Hazel Toutounji is joined by the remarkable Chef Ashraf Saleh, a chef whose life and career span continents, cultures, and cuisines.
From growing up in Saudi Arabia to running award-recognised restaurants in Sydney, Ashraf’s story is one of curiosity, creativity, and deep respect for food as a universal language.
Ashraf shares how his culinary journey began not in a classroom, but through lived experience — working in hotels, cafés, and small restaurants, learning by doing, and refining his craft over decades.
At the heart of Ashraf’s philosophy is the belief that food brings people together. He speaks passionately about creativity on the plate, the balance of spices, and honouring heritage while evolving flavours for modern dining.
His Middle Eastern roots heavily influence his approach, from spice layering to generosity of service, and a strong commitment to cooking with integrity — including avoiding seed oils, prioritising olive oil and butter, and designing menus that cater beautifully to gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based diners.
Travel has played a major role in shaping Ashraf’s worldview and cooking style. He reflects on childhood road trips across Saudi Arabia, coastal life in Jeddah, and the joy of desert journeys to Bahrain. His love of global cultures has taken him to China, Morocco, France, Sweden, and beyond — always driven by curiosity, people, and food.
The conversation also explores Ashraf’s premium spice blends — a project inspired by his sons during lockdown — and his desire to make restaurant-quality flavour accessible at home. From braising spices to grilling blends featuring native Australian ingredients, his products reflect both heritage and innovation.
This episode is a celebration of cultural exchange, lifelong learning, and the joy of sharing food.
Destinations Featured:
Middle East
- Saudi Arabia
- Jeddah (coastal city, food culture, childhood memories)
- Desert road trips
- Cultural roots and early life
- Bahrain – long desert drive adventures
Morocco
- Casablanca
- Marrakesh
- Tangier (favourite for culture and food
Asia
- China
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Singapore – favourite destination
Europe
- France
- Paris (memories from the 1970s, hotel stays, early travel)
- Sweden
- Lived for seven months in the late 1970s
- Cultural contrast and evolution of cuisine
- Italy (Upcoming Bucket List)
- Sicily — interest in Arabic influence on Italian cuisine
- Portugal
- Hungary
- Croatia
- France
Australia
- New South Wales, Sydney
- Queensland, Gold Coast
About Chef Ashraf Saleh
Chef Ashraf Saleh is a chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author whose work blends Middle Eastern heritage with modern Australian dining. With decades of experience across hotels, cafés, and fine dining, Ashraf is known for his thoughtful approach to flavour, balance, and hospitality.
He is the chef and owner of restaurant COYA Sydney, and the creator of premium spice blends designed to bring restaurant-quality flavour into home kitchens.
🔗 More about Ashraf:
https://www.agfg.com.au/chef/ashraf-saleh
Host
Angelica-Hazel Toutounji
📸 Instagram: @angelica_hazel_nutrition · @the_travel_date_
🌐 Website: angelicahazel.com.au
📧 Email: [email protected]
The Travel Date
The Travel Date is an inspiring and entertaining travel podcast hosted by Adelaide-based clinical nutritionist, writer, devoted foodie and passionate traveller Angelica-Hazel Toutounji.
Every journey begins with a story, and each episode of The Travel Date invites listeners to discover the people, places, cultures and unforgettable experiences that make travelling so special. Through warm, relaxed and engaging conversations, Angelica-Hazel speaks with travellers, travel writers, content creators, tourism professionals, business owners and fascinating guests whose lives have been influenced by their adventures around Australia and across the world.
The Travel Date explores much more than simply where someone has travelled. It discovers why people travel, what they learn along the way and how a destination can change their outlook on life. Guests share their favourite locations, memorable meals, unexpected challenges, hidden gems, cultural experiences and practical travel advice, along with the personal moments and meaningful connections that stay with them long after they return home.
From spontaneous overseas adventures and immersive cultural journeys to luxury escapes, regional road trips, family holidays, wellness retreats and budget-friendly experiences, The Travel Date celebrates the many different ways people explore the world. Whether it is a major international destination or a remarkable place closer to home, every location has a story waiting to be discovered.
Food, culture and human connection are at the heart of the podcast. Angelica-Hazel’s natural curiosity and love of storytelling encourage her guests to go beyond the usual travel recommendations and share the honest, funny, emotional and sometimes life-changing experiences behind their journeys.
Listeners can expect fascinating destination ideas, authentic travel stories, helpful recommendations and plenty of inspiration for their next adventure. The podcast also provides an opportunity to discover local communities, independent tourism operators, accommodation providers, regional businesses and extraordinary destinations throughout South Australia, across Australia and around the world.
The Travel Date is not simply about collecting destinations—it is about collecting moments, creating memories and developing a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The podcast celebrates travel’s ability to inspire curiosity, build confidence and resilience, strengthen relationships and remind us to make the most of the time we have with the people we love.
Whether you are actively planning your next holiday, dreaming about a faraway destination, searching for practical travel ideas or simply enjoy hearing wonderful stories from interesting people, The Travel Date will leave you informed, entertained and ready to explore.
Take the trip. Taste the food. Meet the people. Collect the moments.
Subscribe to The Travel Date and join Angelica-Hazel for a new guest, a new destination and a new story.Host and contact details
Angelica-Hazel Toutounji
Adelaide, South Australia
Telephone: 0438 716 606
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.angelicahazel.com.au
The Travel Date Instagram: @the_travel_date
Angelica-Hazel Instagram: @angelica_hazel_nutrition