Hailing from Beirut, Lebanon, Aida Suby arrived in Sri Lanka in 1946 as a young bride, bringing with her authentic Middle Eastern recipes. Immersed in her new life in an exotic new country, she embarked, albeit unknowingly on a culinary journey that would define not only her but her family for generations to come. As her signature cuisine reached family and friends, Aida Suby was soon nicknamed Mama Aida, not only for her unsurpassed generosity but also for the sheer love and care with which she cooked. With a tribute restaurant set up in 1988, by her daughter Najah De Saram, Mama Aida began sharing her beloved Middle Eastern cuisine with consumers, soon cementing a loyal customer base, with Mama Aida’s Restaurant and catering becoming the pioneers of Arabic food in Sri Lanka. With over 25 years in the food industry and three generations later, August Café opens its doors to usher in a new era, where traditional recipes gain a modern twist.
