Hidden Gems: Meet Layla Outita of Taste of Marrakech

Today we’d like to introduce you to Layla Outita. They and their team shared their story with us below:

layla outita

Layla Outita was born and raised in Morocco. She grew up in a small family with loving parents and two siblings. Growing up, Layla used to spend the summer vacation in her mother’s village in the mountains, where she played along with her brothers and cousins; she used to play in the mud a lot and make mud bread and pies.

When Layla thinks of Morocco, the first thing that comes to her mind is hospitality. In Morocco, you can’t enter a home without being offered a cup of tea with homemade sweets or even lunch or dinner. Layla used to spend hours with her mother and grandmother in the kitchen cooking, baking, laughing, and making memories that she still cherishes to this day and dreaming that one day she will have her own restaurant to call home. With Taste of Marrakech, Layla wants to bring the traditions of hospitality, kindness, and love for food she inherited from her mother and grandmother.

Layla moved to the US in 2009; she lived in Virginia for a few years before meeting her husband Steve. She moved to Michigan and fell in love with the city of Detroit. Layla started hosting pop-up dinners at Revolver in Hamtramck and more places after that, and the word got out there that her dinners sold out in a matter of hours after posting them online.

Unfortunately, Layla was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, a few months after giving birth to her daughter, and the only motivations she had to get her through that hard journey were her love for her husband, daughter, and food. She hosted many dinners while on treatment with the unconditional help of Steve, and she didn’t let Cancer stop her from spreading the love and sharing her passion for Moroccan cuisine with the Detroiters.

During her hard times when she couldn’t do much, she and her husband worked on recipes, and people loved her food. Customers kept coming back and waiting for her pop-ups, and she got five-star reviews. Layla has always been strong-minded, ambitious, and hardworking, and her cancer journey made her grateful and appreciative of life, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to grow a successful business where customers and employees are loved, welcomed, and appreciated.

Layla believes in the power of food, that it brings people together, builds bonds, and creates memories to last a lifetime.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Starting a new food service business with minimal capital, no physical restaurant, and featuring lesser-known cuisine presents a unique set of challenges. However, these obstacles can be overcome with creativity, resourcefulness, and strategic planning. We have leveraged social media and online platforms to showcase your offerings and build a loyal customer base.

Collaborate with local events and markets to gain visibility and test your concept without the overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar establishment. Embrace the challenge as an opportunity to innovate and differentiate your brand, focusing on delivering exceptional quality and customer experience to stand out in a competitive market.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Taste Of Marrakech?
Taste of Marrakech is a catering/pop-up business dedicated to bringing the vibrant flavors and rich culinary heritage of Moroccan cuisine to southeast Michigan. Our mission is to transport our customers to the bustling markets and aromatic kitchens of Marrakech through our authentic dishes, immersive ambiance, and personalized service. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to authenticity; while other establishments offer fusion interpretations, we pride ourselves on delivering the true essence of Moroccan gastronomy.

Collaborating with renowned local restaurants such as Baobab Fare, Brooklyn Street Local, Revolver, Antietam, and more, we’ve curated an unparalleled culinary experience that celebrates the diverse flavors and cultural influences of Morocco. Whether catering to intimate gatherings or hosting pop-up events, Taste of Marrakech invites you to savor the exotic and enchanting tastes of Morocco without leaving the comfort of your home.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One surprising aspect of Taste of Marrakech that many people might not know is the exceptional value we offer for the price of our food. Despite the luxurious flavors and authentic ingredients we use, we prioritize affordability without compromising quality.

Our meticulous attention to detail ensures that every dish not only delights the palate but also provides generous portions, allowing our customers to indulge in the true essence of Moroccan cuisine without breaking the bank.

Whether it’s a lavish feast for a special occasion or a casual meal to satisfy cravings, Taste of Marrakech remains dedicated to delivering exceptional value and culinary excellence to our patrons.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.atasteofmarrakech.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/tasteofmarrakech16
• Facebook: facebook.com/Marrakechdelights

Image Credits
Ahmed Badr Fred & Cathy Sareini