Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, who own and cook at Masala y Maíz in Mexico City, starred in Season 7 of Netflix’s popular show Chef’s Table, which came out on November 27, 2024. They’re not just business partners, though—these kitchen pros are also a couple.
Norma, who’s from Mexico, got her love for cooking from her dad’s lifelong work with corn. This link sparked her interest in old Mexican cooking ways and native corn types. And there’s more to her story.
Norma has given talks at many colleges about Mexican food history and farming methods. Likewise, Saqib, who’s from California, has a mixed family background with ties to South Asia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
He started cooking in his family’s kitchen, picking up old recipes from his grandma’s and other relatives. Saqib also cooked in France, which let him take a hard look at European-focused cooking stories.
Norma Listman and Saqib Keval have been married since April 2019.
Norma Listman and Saqib Keval tied the knot in April 2019 after going out for a few years. The pair likes to post snippets of their time together on social platforms, showing how close they are.
On January 26, 2024, they became parents to their first baby, Tonatiuh Keval Listman, a happy event they shared on Instagram on February 10. Even with their busy work lives, they make sure to spend time as a family and enjoy special moments.
In June 2024, Saqib celebrated his first Father’s Day with some heartfelt thoughts. He put up a bunch of photos his wife took, along with a touching Instagram post about how thrilled he was to be a dad. Saqib wrote,
“I’m excited to share what my bapa taught me with Tona. I’m also excited that @normalistman and I will raise Tonatiuh with a dedication to justice and community.”
Norma and Saqib have been together as business partners since 2017.
Norma Listman and Saqib Keval’s partnership started before they got married, based on their love for food and social justice. They met over 20 years ago in California’s Bay Area, bonding through cooking and activism.
Their teamwork grew stronger as they delved into the mix of their cultural backgrounds—Mexican and South Asian. This led them to open their innovative restaurant, Masala y Maíz, in September 2017.
Based in Mexico City, the restaurant serves as a creative center that combines food, culture, and politics. Its name shows how ingredients and cooking methods cross borders, highlighting their dedication to celebrating mestizaje, or the blending of cultures.
Apart from its groundbreaking menu, Masala y Maíz tackles wider community issues such as migration and labor rights.
Also, Norma and Saqib’s activism goes beyond the kitchen to include projects that push for improved conditions in the food sector, like a nonprofit organization that backs workers’ rights.
Moreover, Time Magazine placed Masala y Maíz on its list of the 100 Greatest Places in the World in 2019, giving a nod to its one-of-a-kind dining experience and goal-oriented approach.
