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The choice of Malakeh Jazmati reflects the
mission of the festival, which was set up in 1951 to showcase
films that address urgent social and political issues in the
world.
The festival devoted its program to refugees and migration in
2016 after Europe's politics were convulsed by the arrival of
more than a million refugees from the Middle East and Africa,
including Jazmati herself.
At the Berlin film festival opening reception in February, the
30-year-old chef, who runs a catering business in the German
capital with her husband, will be cooking for more than 400
guests attending the opening reception.
"When I went and saw it's not just any film festival but the
Berlinale, I was more than happy," she said of her reaction on
learning she had been chosen.
"It's like getting to fulfill your dreams."
She will be working under the management of Berlinale's chef
Martin Scharff and cooperating with the Lebanese-American cook
Barbara Massaad, known for her Syrian cookbook. Her menu will
range from Aleppo stuffed aubergine to a Damascene "Syrian
pasta", seasoned with tamarind sauce and pomegranate molasses.
"People think about our food that we only have falafel and
hummus, but after that they see it's a very big kitchen,"
Jazmati told Reuters TV.
The festival will open on February 15 with the world premiere of
Wes Anderson's animated film Isle of Dogs, staring Hollywood
actors such as Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson and Tilda Swinton.
(Reporting By Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Keith Weir)
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