A Contemporary Celebration of Moroccan Gastronomy at TFAYA, Park Hyatt Marrakech
At TFAYA, the brasserie arabesque of Park Hyatt Marrakech, Chef Issam Rhachi presents a culinary vision that honors Moroccan heritage while embracing contemporary refinement. The dinner highlighted depth, memory, and evolution: a gastronomic experience where traditions are not repeated, but reinterpreted with precision and intention. The evening also celebrated the chefs recently distinguished at the Crémai Salon, whose work continues to shape and elevate the country’s culinary landscape.
A Cuisine that Respects Origin and Elevates Form
The identity of the menu lies not in reinventing Moroccan cuisine, but in revealing its nuances. Spices appear in measured layers, sweetness is threaded with restraint, and each ingredient is allowed to speak clearly. The dishes retain the emotional resonance of Moroccan home cooking, yet arrive with a precision that allows space to notice details: the tenderness of slow cooking, the brightness of herbs, the quiet depth of a broth or reduction. It is a cuisine that honors memory without being bound to it.
The Opening Sequence: Sharing as Gesture
The dinner began with plates to share, inviting conversation and presence at the table. Soft eggplant lifted with the clarity of feta, tender poulpe de Dakhla balanced with aromatic spice, and delicately smoked peppers accompanying gambas set the tone for the evening. These were dishes that conveyed generosity without heaviness. They encouraged slow tasting, attentive conversation, and a sense of collective experience.
The Rhythm of the Sea
The seafood courses introduced a calm and graceful progression. Sauces were present but never dominant; citrus and herbs guided the palate rather than directing it. The flavors were coastal and clean, reflective of Moroccan culinary geography, yet shaped with control. There was a feeling of rhythm in the way the dishes arrived, each one preparing the palate for the next without demanding attention.
A Moment of Ceremony
A defining moment of the dinner unfolded at the table with the arrival of a slow-cooked meat dish sealed under a golden crust and revealed live. The gesture spoke to the heart of Moroccan dining culture: time, anticipation, and communal presence. The reveal was intimate rather than theatrical, connecting diners to the history of slow braising and shared meals. The chicken tagine that followed, served with small potato pearls and stuffed morels, expressed depth without weight, warmth without excess.
A Closing Marked by Softness and Craft
Dessert moved in stages, maintaining the dinner’s quiet elegance. Jawhara appeared as a layered composition of lightness and cream, respectful of its traditional form while refined in its texture. The date trompe-l’oeil, glossy and subtle, offered familiarity shaped with contemporary clarity. A selection of Moroccan pastries concluded the evening, each one crafted with delicacy, reinforcing the meal’s commitment to detail and restraint.
An Atmosphere Shaped by Presence
Live Moroccan music accompanied the dinner with softness, never overwhelming the room. Light, sound, and service moved at an unhurried pace, allowing the evening to breathe. Nothing was rushed or emphasized; the atmosphere supported the experience naturally.
In Essence
This dinner at TFAYA offered a perspective on Moroccan gastronomy that is confident, thoughtful, and quietly expressive. It demonstrated that culinary heritage does not need to be altered to feel contemporary; it simply needs to be understood, balanced, and given space to unfold. The result was an evening of clarity, grounding, and refined warmth one that felt unmistakably Moroccan, yet distinct in tone.
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