Falafel Man

Worked as part of a dynamic small team at Maoz Vegetarian, a renowned international chain with over 25 years in Barcelona‘s historic Gothic Quarter, specializing in authentic Middle Eastern vegan street food since its origins in 1991 (Amsterdam).

Focused on the core signature dish: handmade falafel balls fried in vegetable oil, stuffed into warm pita bread, topped with fresh hummus (chickpea-tahini-lemon cream), baba ganoush (smoked eggplant-tahini-lemon dip), and a vibrant self-service salad bar allowing unlimited fresh veggies, pickles, herbs, and dressings for personalized mezze-style builds.

Served dozens of customers per hour during peak times, handling quick assembly, cash transactions, evening/night closing duties, basic kitchen prep (frying crispy chips/fries), and maintaining spotless hygiene standards. This immersive role sparked a deep personal passion for Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly its flavorful, plant-based staples like falafel, tahini-based dips, and fresh, customizable salads.

Main tasks on duty

  1. High-Volume Customer Service in Ethnic Fast Food – Delivered fast, friendly service for authentic Middle Eastern vegan dishes during busy shifts.
  2. Authentic Falafel & Pita Preparation – Assisted in assembling signature handmade falafel pitas with traditional fillings and toppings.
  3. Middle Eastern Vegan Cuisine Knowledge – Gained hands-on expertise in hummus, baba ganoush, tahini sauces, and fresh mezze-style elements.
  4. Self-Service Salad Bar Management – Maintained and supported unlimited fresh salad bar for customer customization, ensuring quality and variety.
  5. Cash Handling & Kitchen Support – Managed accurate transactions, prepped fries, and performed closing/cleaning in a fast-paced vegan environment.
Falafel Man at Maoz Vegetarian
With my beloved Gaia.