Up Close: 'Turkish food is more than just kebabs' - Meet Lem and Ayse from Ziba on Hitchin Market Place | Local News | News | Hitchin Nub News

Hitchin Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We showcase some of these businesses, organisations and interesting individuals from our area displaying creativity and innovation in our regular feature called 'Up Close'.

This week we are featuring a relatively new arrival in Hitchin town centre, Ziba on Market Place, which has been open for just over 12 months now.

Nub News resident food writer Deven Thakeria went along to meet the owners Lem and Ayse for our latest Nub News Up Close feature.

Read on for what the engaging pair had to say about Ziba, life in Hitchin and their passion for food.

Up Close: Turkish food is more than just kebabs - Meet Lem and Ayse from Ziba on Hitchin Market Place. CREDIT: Deven Thakeria

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Up Close: Meet Lem and Ayse the team from Ziba on Hitchin Market Place

Is it a cafe? Is it a restaurant? Well, it's both, and more.

Ziba, an expression of beauty and strength in Arabic.

A little over a year ago sisters Lem and Ayse swapped their work uniforms for aprons to tease the taste buds of Hitchin. Nub News caught up with the duo at the end of their working day as they perched on the bar stools with the darkest of coffees and kept an eye on their young sons playing in the Market Place.

"On my first visit to Hitchin I was walking down from Windmill Hill and the moment I saw St Mary's Church lit up, I thought this is it, I want to live here," says Lem with an equally illuminating smile.

It wasn't however a case of turning up on a whim and dishing out mouthwatering mezzes, Ziba's pantry has long been stocking up with the ingredients to make it what it is today.

Lem shares memories of growing up in Cyprus, "As kids we would all be allocated different roles in the kitchen, not only preparing meals for the day, but also gathering ingredients for preservation during seasonal changes.

"It was more than the food though, as a community we would look out for each other".

The ephiphany moment appeared for Lem some years later, "I was on holiday in France with friends celebrating a birthday and we all took turns to cook. When it came to my turn, to see people smiling and going for seconds ignited a passion". Younger of the two, Ayse, encouraged Lem to take this passion further.

"When we first opened Ziba there were murmurs heard of it being yet another Turkish restaurant. We wanted to introduce the country's rich diversity. Turkish food is more than just kebabs," states Lem.

As well as the infamous pistachio baklava and other freshly baked goods that Lem has trialed out at Hitchin Market in previous years, Ziba also serves up the mighty village breakfast comprising of pastries, juicy Turkish sausages, eggs, cheese and much more to fill the platter.

"I focus on traditional dishes whilst Ayse creates modern twists," says Lem whilst turning to Ayse, who by now is sweeping the floor and wiping down tables before her daily commute back to London. She pauses to add, "take the sigara borek for example, these would traditionally be filled with feta cheese, but for the village breakfast I thought of filling them with mushrooms".

On the note of creativity, Hitchin's artistic flair is mirrored in Ziba's interior. Many of the paintings on the wall are Lem's own work, "I'm a visual person and share whatever is going in my head, the different shifts in thought. It's therapy," reflects Lem. She attributes much of the design and layout to Ayse's keen attention to detail.

Ziba's colourful canvas doesn't escape the shadows though. Lem opens up about the challenges faced. "These early few months of the year are particularly difficult for trade. This is not only for us, but for many of the businesses here.

"We are trying to do what we can by opening seven days a week and for longer hours. The local businesses of Hitchin are supportive, and that helps a lot.

"Mehmet from Deroka amongst others has welcomed us and always offered help if needed. Kim from Halsey's has also provided sound advise on how to manage during difficult times, given that this is our first time taking on such a venture by ourselves".

As we creep into spring, the sisters are excited by their vision. "We've had various themed events in the past like tarot reading evenings, and we would like to do more like this as well as experimenting with street food dishes which have been gathering much attention. We also hope to have an alcohol license soon".

In a short space of time the dedication of Lem and Ayse has crafted more than a unique culinary experience. Their individuality, family and culture is felt as one walks through the door, a home away from home where strangers can become friends.

Ziba sits elegantly with it's forest green signage on the top left corner of Hitchin's charming Market place and is currently open everyday.

Instagram: Ziba_Hitchin

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