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Saffron De Twah Brings Moroccan Cooking To Detroit

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Saffron De Twah Brings Moroccan Cooking To Detroit


Chef Omar Anani, who is involved in the James Beard Foundation’s Taste of America program, started with a food truck in Detroit, which led to his opening Saffron De Twah, a Moroccan restaurant in 2019. Indeed his restaurant was also a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2020. But why is it called De Twah and not Detroit?

Anani says De-twah is the French pronunciation of Detroit, which was acquired in the Louisiana purchase and Morocco was a French colony well into the 1900’s. Hence its name signifies Detroit’s history as well as the French influence on the Moroccan culture.

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Anani, who was raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., and fell in love with cooking at a young age, graduated from the Art Institute for Culinary School, which brought him to Detroit, where he has been ensconced since.

To create food that was accessible for the masses, he launched a food truck, first called Qais and then rebranded as Twisted Mitten. It was one of the first Halal food trucks in Detroit and was financed by a loan from his parents, which helped buy the truck.

Farm to Street Approach

Anani calls it “farm to street” food because he’d buy local ingredients, and when he ran out of food, he’d run to the local farmer’s market to replenish it and devise new dishes spontaneously. Cooking on the run indeed.

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Twisted Mitten flourished, which led him to owning several food trucks including Fat Panda Kitchen, Grill Billies BBQ, Un Poco Loco and a hot dog cart, though currently only Twisted Mitten is operating.

Catering Produces 50% of Revenue

When his parents loaned him money to buy the building to store his various food trucks, he turned it into Saffron De Twah. It accommodates 15 people inside, but has a patio space which seats around 75 people. Its revenue stems 50% from catering, covering many corporate events, board meetings, and graduation parties, 35% from the restaurant itself and 20% from take-out and delivery.

A Palestinian chef in Detroit is building a following with his Moroccan eatery that is leading to two new spin-offs.

He describes its menu as “Moroccan cuisine with African influences” so it’s more African than it is Mediterranean or Middle Eastern. Some of its specialties include the Moroccan chicken sandwich and Moroccan fish sandwich.

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Moroccan Chicken Sandwich

Its Moroccan chicken sandwich almost led to its downfall. He describes it as a “massive jumbo whole thigh, brined in peppers, cilantro and seasonings, and then breaded with panko to make it crispy, then seasoned with berbere directly out of the fryer.” Then the Rising Stars Academy, a school for autistic and disable adults, make the challah bun.

Originally it charged $8 for this massive sandwich, but when the Popeyes crispy chicken sandwich craze started, customers, seeing its cut-rate price, were coming in droves to order 10 to 20 at a time. When they ran out of chicken early one day, they decided to retire the chicken sandwich, before it ran the restaurant out of business. Six-hundred people showed up at its retirement party.

Its Moroccan fish sandwich, now made with basa fish, and smothered in green chermoula sauce, is another best-seller.

And Anani is a chef on the rise. He’s developing two new restaurants, both in its existing neighborhood One will specialize in Palestinian cuisine, which will celebrate Anani’s roots, and the other will reflect its neighborhood, and will have subsidized housing in apartments above the restaurant for its employees.

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The Taste for America program involves about 20 events in 2024 and 2025 includes walk-around tastings with food as well as 10 pop-up dinners. The events attract mostly foodies, food enthusiasts and fans of the chef, says a spokesperson for the James Beard Foundation

At the Taste of America event in New York City that Anani participated in, he served warbat, a cheesy bread pudding, which is how his family made it in Jerusalem. It included a crispy flakiness of its dough, a creamy filling, and preserved lemon for tartness.

“To be able to show case my people’s Palestinian food creates the ability for people to find commonalities and new experiences that enhances a richness in life,” Anani concludes.



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Detroit, MI

Winter at The Station to turn Detroit landmark into a holiday wonderland

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Winter at The Station to turn Detroit landmark into a holiday wonderland


DETROIT — As the cold weather and holiday season approaches, The Station at Michigan Central will once again transform into a destination for holiday spirit, shopping and live entertainment. Winter at The Station 2025, Michigan Central’s second annual holiday celebration, will run from Friday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 28.

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Building on the success of last year’s monthlong series — which saw nearly 55,000 guests take in the splendor of The Station decked for the holidays — Winter at The Station will draw from traditions across cultures to honor the past, celebrate the present and usher in the future. This is Detroit’s invitation to experience the convergence of history, culture, and innovation in a festive, inclusive atmosphere.

Winter at The Station is a place for all to gather and celebrate” said Catherine Kelly, head of brand and communications at Michigan Central. “We believe that Winter at The Station will become a part of the city’s cultural identity and are working hard to ensure it becomes one of its most cherished holiday traditions.” ​

Detroit’s new holiday tradition

Experience the magic of the season inside the restored architectural gem, and see why Winter at The Station is fast becoming one of the city’s can’t-miss holiday destinations and most cherished traditions. From live music performances to shopping at local retailers to just soaking up the festive atmosphere with a cocktail, Winter at The Station has something for everyone.

Most of the programming will be free and open to the public, with some being ticketed events. Attendees can check Michigan Central – Events at Michigan Central for more details.

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Stunning holiday decor

The Station will again feature enchanting winter decorations throughout, featuring contemporary seasonal decor. Don’t miss a show-stopping display that honors The Station’s past. You’ll want to grab your camera for photo ops and to capture The Station’s historic halls decked for the holidays.

Your local shopping destination

Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts from nearly a dozen Detroit artisans and retailers at our pop-ups, and find exclusive merchandise at The Shop inside The Station’s historic ticket office. Peruse local wares at Neighbor x Folk. All of this amid the authentic energy of the city. On Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, shopping hours will be extended until 9 p.m. A gift-wrapping service also will be provided for a fee or will be free for items purchased at The Shop.

Where the future of innovation meets the holidays

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Discover how technology can bring us together. Children can engage with a hands-free digital coloring book, and the Innovation Room brings the story of Michigan Central’s progress to life. Plus, you won’t want to miss a special arrival pulling into The Station for the Winter at The Station festivities.

All of this and more begins with opening night on Nov. 14, so mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!

Fun for the whole family

While shopping and taking in the holiday decor, guests can listen to the future of Detroit music through a number of performances curated by local music mastermind collective D. Cipher. Artists span a variety of genres, from jazz to soul to electronic to acoustic pop and artists like Wendell Harrison and Ackeem Salmon. Kicking off Winter at The Station on Friday, Nov. 14 will be Steffanie Christi’an, performing at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with DJ Legendary J. Hearns spinning tunes throughout the evening. For opening night, tickets are required and cost $15.

Michigan Central and Henry Ford Health are partnering with the Detroit Pistons to host Storytime at The Station, a free, family-friendly reading event that will feature a Pistons player reading “The Old Sleigh” by Caldecott honorees Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey to kids. The event celebrating literacy, wellness, and community connection will run from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. Following the reading, there will be a question-and-answer session and autograph opportunity for kids. Seating is limited for this event, and pre-registration on Michigan Central’s website is required. Those who register will receive free books while supplies last. Henry Ford Health pediatricians will also be on-site to answer questions and help families sign up for primary care.

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Also for kids, local kids brand Sammy Whammy’s will hold a felt cookie-decorating workshop from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, and a felt train garland workshop from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. The Metro Detroit-based company makes sweatshop-free clothing and stuffed animals, including an exclusive train conductor Teddy bear that will be available at The Shop. No pre-registration is required for these free children’s workshops.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, The Station will host a greeting card collage workshop with Homespun and Green from 10 a.m. to noon. A holiday floral centerpiece workshop will help you make your holiday spreads stand out. VidaBloomz will guide participants in creating a stunning seasonal centerpiece and styling their holiday table with seasonal blooms, textures, and festive details. Finally, a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 13 will teach you how to use block printing to make your own personalized wrapping paper.

Tickets for all events, as well as the full schedule, are available at Michigan Central – Events at Michigan Central .

Enjoy hot drinks and fresh bites from Yellow Light Coffee and Donuts and scratch-made frozen treats from Momento Gelato daily throughout Winter at The Station. Plus, enjoy seasonal food, beverages and specialty cocktails in the Concourse on special event days.

Parking

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Help us keep neighborhood streets accessible, especially as the snow starts to fall. Take advantage of ample parking available in the Bagley Mobility Hub parking garage for just $5 per vehicle. The garage is located at 1501 Wabash St, Detroit, MI 48216 near the intersection of Bagley and 14th Street, just southeast of The Station. ADA drop-off is available outside The Station’s east entrance on 15th street. Michigan Central is also accessible via public transportation.

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About Michigan Central

Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit, where leaders, thinkers, communities and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that shape our collective future. By providing access to world-class infrastructure, tools, and resources, Michigan Central inspires innovators and community members to collaborate on real, ground-breaking solutions to global problems. Since opening in April 2023, Michigan Central has grown into a diverse ecosystem of nearly 250 companies and startups working at the intersection of mobility, technology and society. Learn more at Michigan Central.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions stand pat at NFL trade deadline, expect boost from injured defenders

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Detroit Lions stand pat at NFL trade deadline, expect boost from injured defenders


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There was no Sauce Gardner equivalent available on the offensive line, so the Detroit Lions stood pat.

The Lions did not make a deal at the NFL trade deadline Tuesday, Nov. 4, for the first time since 2021, deciding to stick with their current roster while awaiting the return of several key defensive players, for a playoff run.

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The Lions are 5-3 at the midpoint of the season, in second place in the NFC North and in control of the NFC’s final wild-card spot.

They have a host of injury concerns on their offensive line – left guard Christian Mahogany is out with a broken bone in his leg, and the availability of tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell is uncertain for this week’s game against the Washington Commanders – and depth issues at cornerback, safety and defensive end.

But Mahogany could return in late December and the Lions expect to get three starters back on defense in the coming weeks.

Safety Kerby Joseph has missed two games with a bone bruise in his knee. Cornerback D.J. Reed is on injured reserve with a strained hamstring but has begun working out with trainers. And defensive end Marcus Davenport is closing in on a return to practice from a strained pectoral muscle.

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The Lions also are expected to get backups defensive end Josh Paschal, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and cornerback Khalil Dorsey back before the end of the season. Rodriguez, on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from the torn ACL he suffered last year, already has resumed practicing.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday adding those six players – Joseph is the only one currently on the active roster – is similar to making a trade at the deadline.

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“Well, I mentioned this before,” Campbell said. “We’re going to start getting some good players back. Some really good impact players for us. …

“So we got some guys that are going to start coming back and that does give you a boost. I mean, that helps you. It only makes your team better, makes your roster better.”

Campbell acknowledged in his weekly radio interview Tuesday morning on WXYT-FM (97.1) that the Lions were looking for help on the offensive line but he said the price had to be right to consider a move.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been active at recent trade deadlines, adding depth to his roster in 2023-24 and dealing away tight end T.J. Hockenson for a swap of draft picks in 2022.

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In 2023, the Lions added backup Donovan Peoples-Jones to a struggling wide receiver room – Jameson Williams had six catches in four games at the time after serving a suspension to start the year – for a sixth-round pick.

In 2024, the Lions traded two Day 3 picks for Za’Darius Smith and another late-round choice, helping a pass rush that had been decimated by injuries. Davenport, Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Derrick Barnes and defensive tackle Kyle Peko all suffered season-ending injuries before the deadline last year.

The Lions aren’t in as dire a spot on their offensive line now, but the unit has been inconsistent through eight games, and Decker also is dealing with a shoulder injury that has nagged him all year.

With no moves Tuesday, the Lions likely will patch their offensive line from within. Kayode Awosika finished last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings at left guard, and Campbell said backups Trystan Colon and Kingsley Eguakun also will get a look in practice this week as the Lions try and decide how to best use their personnel up front. Center Graham Glasgow can play guard if the Lions prefer to have Colon or Eguakun handle snaps.

No NFC contenders made big moves at Tuesday’s deadline, though two of the conference’s top teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, made notable trades earlier this year. The Packers acquired star defensive end Micah Parsons before the season from the Dallas Cowboys, while the Eagles picked up pass rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins on Monday – their fourth in-season trade this year.

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The Cowboys, 3-5-1 and in second place in the NFC East, made one of Tuesday’s biggest deals, acquiring star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round choice and former Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

The Jets also dealt star cornerback and Detroit native Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round choices. Two NFC contenders made more minor moves with the Chicago Bears adding defensive Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from the Cleveland Browns and the Seattle Seahawks adding receiver Rashid Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints.

The Lions did make two roster moves Tuesday, releasing offensive lineman Justin Herron from injured reserve and releasing tight end Kenny Yeboah from IR with an injury settlement.

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

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Detroit, MI

Pulse of Politics: SNAP benefits partially funded & Detroit elections

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Pulse of Politics: SNAP benefits partially funded & Detroit elections


The Trump Administration announces Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will be partially funded. Lighthouse CEO Ryan Hertz discusses the concerns that still remain. Plus, Sam Robinson, journalist with Detroit One Million and Pulse of Politics Host Aaron Jordan take a deep dive into the Motor City’s elections.



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