A contestant from Masterchef Morocco opens the first Arab restaurant in Cantabria

Nabil Bour-Qaiba opened 'La mano de Fátima' on Lope de Vega street in Santander on July 13th and has been receiving numerous bookings ever since.

Nabil Bour-Qaiba 's life story is worthy of a Hollywood film. Not just because it's full of action and adventure, though it probably is, but because it's a story worth telling. Born in Morocco 35 years ago, he's the eldest of five siblings, so when his mother was away from home, he was the one who fed the family. We're talking about seven-year-old Nabil, who even then knew how to fend for himself. The man he's become now—relatively famous in his country for his participation in MasterChef —has just opened Cantabria's first Arab restaurant: 'La Mano de Fátima' (The Hand of Fatima). Yes, in the middle of a global pandemic. What brought him here? The most important ingredient of all: love.

Stepping into their shop is like finding a small oasis in the middle of the Sahara. From the pastel tones of Lope de Vega Street to the multicolored palette of the land of contrasts. The smell, the color, the service, the background music—everything is reminiscent of Morocco .

Once inside, the best thing to do is not to choose, just let yourself go. This exercise in trust is called, in its coolest form, a 'foodie experience' . That is, taking your palate to places it's never been before. And that's what Nabil's tasting menu is for. It's served on a golden platter, making you feel like a true maharaja, and consists of six amazing starters (hummus, mutabal, muhammara, warak-inab, falafel, and tzatziki), two main courses to choose from, and two desserts. Because there are few situations where you get to know another culture as well as when you eat.

Tradition calls for the chef's signature dish, a 'pastela ,' which speaks of hospitality and hard work—"I stay up until five in the morning preparing the dough," the chef points out—through a sweet treat. It's deceptive because it's not a dessert, even though it contains cinnamon and powdered sugar. So, what is it? Those who rely on clichés say "an explosion of flavor," when in reality it's a stroke of genius, not suitable for vegans . For them, there are other dishes on the menu, as well as options for those with nut allergies and lactose intolerance, because, unlike some other restaurants, Nabil's establishment caters to everyone.

Behind the 'Hand of Fatima' menu lies a long period of learning, in restaurants in Spain, Belgium and Morocco, and several years running a gastronomic YouTube channel and a Facebook page (with more than 69,000 followers) with remarkable success .

His life hasn't been a bed of roses. Or perhaps it has, but with a few thorns along the way. Making a living in a country that isn't (wasn't) his own has subjected him to systematic discrimination: "They've been cruel. Before I even opened the business, they went so far as to say that Moroccan food is disgusting ," the chef tells this newspaper. And yet, at Nabil's restaurant, the "finger-licking good" part isn't just a figure of speech. What's more, there's a lingering taste around your mouth that makes you smack your lips like a cat even minutes after the last bite.

His time on Masterchef

There are certain traits in a person that become apparent through a simple conversation. For example, whether they know what they're talking about. In Nabil's case, it's as obvious as his desire to please his guests. He possesses enviable culinary knowledge; his training is evident. The same is true of his interactions with the media; he seems completely at ease in that world.

"My time on the show confirmed my passion for cooking . I always had the desire to finish my career as a chef. It was an eye-opening experience that made me believe in my potential," she says about her participation in Masterchef Morocco.

Why is this chef, who could work anywhere, in Cantabria and not somewhere else? Because his wife, Sara Fernández, and now his son Adam, are from Santander. So, thanks to this romantic coincidence, Cantabria has a chef like Nabil Bour-Qaiba whose sole aim is "to try to change the perception of the Muslim people through food . "