GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Ten-year-old Sana Abu Hasira can hardly believe that she was able to make it. She managed to cook a musakhan for the first time in her life. The musakhan is a traditional Palestinian dish of grilled chicken and onion, with a touch of olive oil, pepper and sumac. Hasira insisted that this Al-Monitor correspondent taste her food; it was absolutely delicious.

Amin Mashharawi, a 22-year-old cook who lives in Gaza City, assisted her in the preparation of the dish. Sana, who also lives in Gaza City, made this traditional Palestinian dish as part of the first culinary training program for kids in the Palestinian territories, “The Little Chef.” The program was launched July 1 by Zad Al Khair restaurant in downtown Gaza City.

Sana told Al-Monitor, “I have always loved to cook. All of the toys I have are either kitchen utensils or cooking kits. When I learned about the program on Facebook, I rushed to join it.”

She said she usually watches cooking videos on YouTube and is amazed by the beautiful sandwiches the cooks make. “My mom yells at me when I come into the kitchen, hold a knife and try to cook. But once I obtain my certificate from the program, I will be able to help her prepare meals,” she added.