Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita Jabbour.
Hi Rita, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Beirut Bites opened six years ago and has been thriving ever since. I’ve spent my whole life as a stay-at-home wife and mother to six wonderful kids, and cooking has always been my passion. For me, food is about love…if you don’t cook with love, it will never truly be good. I’ve been blessed to dedicate my life to my family, and over the years, cooking became my way of expressing that love.
Now that my kids are grown, they told me it was time for the world to taste my food. I continue to cook with heart, while my husband and children help run the business. We’re located inside the Mount Dora Marketplace, and I feel so blessed that my daughter and daughter-in-law have launched their own Sweet Bites business in the same building, while my son and his wife run a pasta bar alongside us. Being able to guide them in cooking and share this journey together has been a true joy for our family.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, running a food business comes with its challenges, especially balancing family and work. In the early days of Beirut Bites, we faced the usual hurdles of getting noticed, building a loyal customer base, and figuring out the logistics of running a kitchen efficiently. Being a stay-at-home mom all my life, stepping into the business world was a big adjustment for me.
There were also moments of doubt, wondering if people would really embrace my food…but seeing customers enjoy what I cook, and having my family’s support, kept me going. The journey has been full of learning, growth, and, most importantly, love. The struggles made the successes even sweeter, and today, being able to watch my kids start their own businesses alongside me is a true blessing.
We’ve been impressed with Beirut Bites, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Beirut Bites is a family-run culinary destination that has been delighting the Mount Dora community for six years. We specialize in authentic, homemade Middle Eastern dishes made with love and care. From flavorful shawarma and fresh pasta to sweet treats, every item we create is crafted with passion and attention to detail.
What sets us apart is the love and family energy behind our brand. Cooking has always been my passion, and now my children are part of the business, each running their own ventures under the same roof: my daughter and daughter-in-law with Sweet Bites desserts, and my son and his wife with a pasta bar. Being able to share our culinary knowledge and guidance with them has made our space not just a business but a hub of creativity and family collaboration.
We’re most proud of the community we’ve built and the trust our customers place in us. We want everyone who visits to taste food made with heart, feel the warmth of family behind it, and experience flavors that bring people together.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people know me as the cook behind Beirut Bites, but what surprises many is that I spent my whole life as a stay-at-home mom before turning my passion for cooking into a business. For years, I focused entirely on raising my six children and managing our home, and only now, with my kids grown, did I step into the public side of my culinary work. Many are also surprised that every dish I make comes from a place of love…I truly believe that without love, food can’t be good. Cooking has always been my language of care, and now I’m sharing it with the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beirutbites__/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beirutbites21/
