Edward Housni has been in Italy for 35 years and 10 years ago he opened a kebab shop in Genoa, right in the city center.
He speaks excellent Italian, and at times it almost seems like he has a light, charming Genoese accent. A few weeks ago, he added fish kebab to his menu; today we interviewed him to find out how he's enjoying this new experience.
On the phone he is as welcoming and kind as he is with the customers at his restaurant, Kebab Il Canneto, one of the most famous kebab shops in the city, right in front of the cathedral, on Via San Lorenzo.
Edward, how did you decide to introduce fish kebab to your menu?
After several tastings, we started offering fish kebab twice a week . It's not very well-known yet, and before offering it every night, we want to introduce the idea and introduce it to people.
September seems like the right time to introduce the new restaurant to the city. For us, this is a time with fewer customers, especially those from tourism. At Easter, we expect to offer it several times a week, when people are starting to discover it and the city fills up with tourists, and we're located in a very central, busy area.
How do Genoese people react to fishkebab, a dish that comes from a traditional seafood cuisine to which they are undoubtedly very fond?
The feedback is excellent, and the product is very popular. Some people may initially be intrigued and suspicious of the novelty. Knowing that the idea is from an Italian company and that the supplies are also Italian reassures them. But after trying it, they love it and will definitely come back to eat here. Of course, Genoese customers are also very price-conscious, like everyone else these days, but if they eat well, they're willing to spend a little more.
How are you going about promoting it in the city?
We make great use of our central location. We're on Via San Lorenzo, in front of Genoa Cathedral. It's a popular area for both Genoese and locals, and we have a display outside in both Italian and English. Many are amazed by our new offerings and come in curious.
What other products do you offer?
We're a takeaway restaurant offering a variety of meat kebabs, pizza, focaccia, artisanal falafel, and vegetarian dishes. We can also prepare traditional Syrian dishes upon request . Our specialty is our sauces, which are all homemade and pair beautifully with both meat and fish. We offer garlic, lemon, and sesame cream.
Our offerings set us apart from other kebab shops in the city. Our meat and fish are always fresh, which is why our prices are higher than usual. A meat kebab costs €5, a fish one €6.50. But even the most budget-conscious customer is willing to spend a few euros more when satisfied with the freshness of our food and the specialties we offer.
How did you find the Fishkebab machine?
Perfect! I can't be happier with the food processors. I use them a lot, every day. Just keep them clean; they require very little maintenance and work perfectly. Kebabs, patatwist, and even fish kebabs.
The fish kebab machine designed by Techfood has a closed rotisserie equipped with tempered glass. This allows for hygienic cooking and prevents heat loss into the environment . Furthermore, a flue gas recirculation and treatment system eliminates the need for exhaust and filtration systems for cooking fumes, such as a flue, improving the livability of the environment for customers and workers. For kebab cooking without unpleasant odors or major investments in ventilation systems.
You can read the story of the collaboration between Techfood and Eataly that led to the birth of the GHIROTTO machine.
If you're also suggesting innovations for your menu, let us know and share them here in the comments. And if you're passing through Genoa, go try Edward's fish kebab.