In a time when such tales are sorely needed, Izz and Eman Alkarajeh’s story is inspiring and truly heartwarming: A young Palestinian couple, they were forced to leave Saudia Arabia where they had been working and rearing a young family, winding up in direct provision in Ireland but, with the help of new Irish friends, eventually began trading from a small stall at Mahon Point Farmer’s market, selling Eman’s traditional dishes.

Izz Alkarajeh emerged from direct provision to open one of Cork’s most exciting new restaurants – Izz Cafe. Joe McNamee on our new migrant chefs, their respective cuisines and the impact on our native dishes