Norma Listman and Saqib Keval
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | October 2017 |
| Headquarters | Mexico City , Mexico |
Area served | Mexico City |
Key people | Norma Listman, Saqib Keval |
| Products | Mexican-Indian fusion cuisine |
Norma Listman and Saqib Keval are culinary professionals and restaurant owners operating out of Mexico City.
Early lives
Listman was raised in Texcoco before relocating to the San Francisco Bay area at the age of 21 to pursue work in the art world. Her involvement in a project that recreated a feast originally hosted by General Mariano Vallejo motivated her to transition her career focus toward gastronomy.
Keval’s origins trace back to Northern California, born into a family of Kutchis, descendants of Indian immigrants from East Africa. His parents emigrated from Ethiopia and Kenya, regions where their forebears had settled approximately two centuries earlier. Holding an academic background in French post-colonial literature, he established the People's Kitchen Collective in 2011 with the goal of fostering community through food rather than exploiting labor.
Restaurants
Together, Listman and Keval own and operate Masala y Maíz, situated in Mexico City's Centro district. Their establishment offers a culinary fusion that marries Mexican and Indian influences, centered around the principle of mestizaje. They distinguish this approach from conventional fusion by authentically incorporating elements true to both cultural heritages.
Their cooking philosophy is rooted in decolonizing cuisine from the global south, actively confronting systemic issues such as racism, sexism, labor exploitation, and mistreatment prevalent in the restaurant industry. Renowned food critic Stephen Satterfield characterizes them as "activists who use food as their medium." Signature menu items like camarones pa'pelar—prawns prepared with vanilla, salsa macha, and lime—embody this mission. Additionally, Listman delves into the cultural significance and political history of corn through her dishes.
The duo’s partnership began during collaborative work; after Listman returned to Mexico City, they joined forces catering events and recognized their complementary culinary talents. When Listman received an opportunity to launch a restaurant, she invited Keval to join her despite his initial reservations about the industry's exploitative nature. Ultimately, he agreed to help build a venue intended as a "platform for change." They consciously rejected the traditional European brigade system due to its abusive labor dynamics and instead prioritized safeguarding their employees’ rights, even if it meant sacrificing personal profit.
Masala y Maíz debuted in October 2017 but faced closure by authorities in April 2018 amid extortion attempts. Their refusal to comply with bribe demands led to support from local restaurateurs like Scarlett Lindeman of Cicatriz, who generously provided kitchen access. Their campaign titled "Donuts Against Corruption" gained widespread attention and became symbolic of their resistance efforts. The restaurant resumed operations in September 2018 and attained international acclaim.
They advocate for decentralized management structures by empowering staff members to dismantle traditional hierarchical frameworks within the restaurant environment.
Recognition
The couple earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction in 2024 followed by a Michelin Star in 2025, elevating their status within the culinary world. Their appearance on Chef's Table in 2024 further expanded their global recognition.
Personal life
Listman and Keval are married partners.