The patron saint of my kitchen is Ziryab (789-857). Ziryab is said to have been a freed slave. He grew to maturity in Baghdad, studying music at the court of the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, with legendary musician, al-Mawsili, also known for his virtuosity as a cook. Ziryab took the splendor of this musical and gastronomic culture to Abd al-Rahman’s court in Cordoba.