A new Palestinian street food takeaway has launched in Blackburn, offering locals a taste of authentic Gaza cuisine while pledging to support humanitarian efforts in the country.
Gaza Grill, based out of a converted catering bus in Whalley Range, is more than just a food stop; it’s a tribute to identity and resistance.
Founded by a small team including Khaled Braika, a Palestinian chef who moved to the UK five years ago, Gaza Grill serves dishes rooted in generations of home cooking.
“All the recipes are from my mother and grandmother,” said Khaled.
“The spices, the techniques... It’s exactly how it’s made back in Gaza.
"That’s what makes it different. We’re not just another Middle Eastern takeaway, we’re Palestinian."
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The idea for Gaza Grill was born from a shared passion for food and justice.
The founders first met at a protest in Blackburn more than a year ago over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
One of them recalls: “Khaled’s story really resonated with us.
"Hearing about his family, what Gaza was going through, we wanted to do something."
Khaled’s entire family, except for his younger brother who is also in Blackburn, remain in Gaza.
The enclave is currently in the grips of starvation, with only limited aid allowed into the country by Israel and around 95 per cent of arable land and greenhouses destroyed by bombing.
“It’s expensive, there’s limited food, and life is hard,” he said. So, opening this place is also about creating awareness and making a difference, even if it’s small.
Khaled said 15 per cent of the takeaway’s profits are pledged to humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Donations will go towards food parcels, medical aid, and shelter for displaced families through established charities already working on the ground.
The team is committed to transparency and will be posting regular updates so customers can see where the money is going.
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The bus itself is also part of the story. Almost all of the photographs decorating the interior were taken by the chefs in Palestine, vivid snapshots of daily life and food culture before the Israeli government doubled down on the displacement.
“We’re all connected to Palestine in some way or another,” said one co-partner.
Opening in Blackburn was a natural choice.
“It’s a good place,” said Khaled. “The people are supportive and kind.”
But at its heart, Gaza Grill is a labour of love for food, for identity, and for a homeland under siege.
Every order helps ordinary people suffering in Gaza, and every meal is a message of resistance.
You can find Gaza Grill at The Bus in William Herbert Street, Blackburn.
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