RECIPES FOR SUCCESS: Chef ArChan Chan offers advice and a delicious chicken wings recipe

Chef ArChan Chan is the executive chef of Hong Kong’s Ho Lee Fook. (Supplied)
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Updated 24 November 2022
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RECIPES FOR SUCCESS: Chef ArChan Chan offers advice and a delicious chicken wings recipe

  • The executive chef of Hong Kong’s Ho Lee Fook was in Riyadh earlier this month, where her restaurant has launched a pop-up eatery in Riyadh Season’s Al-Murabaa food zone

RIYADH:Chef ArChan Chan’s story is one that could inspire many an aspiring cook. By her own admission, Chan had “no idea about cooking,” when she started her career, but she is now executive chef of the Cantonese restaurant Ho Lee Fook in Hong Kong.  

“In many Asian countries, like Hong Kong — where I grew up, cooking is not really (considered) a profession. I was a foodie who loves eating and I knew that I wanted to do something I was passionate about,” Chan told Arab News. “So, when I went to university, I asked my lecturer if there were any food-related subjects I could take. He told me the university offered a catering course, so that’s how I first got into the industry, but also through tourism and hotels. That’s how I began working in kitchens.” 

Earlier this month, Chan was in Riyadh, where her restaurant has launched a pop-up eatery in Riyadh Season’s Al-Murabaa food zone. Here, she discusses the versatility of spring onions and avoiding a ‘military-like’ kitchen atmosphere, and provides a recipe for chicken wings. 

What’s your top tip for amateur chefs? 

If you’re planning to cook meat — any meat — soak it in four percent brine. It adds a lot of flavor and tenderness. You can do that before any method of cooking; it’s a very simple way to make things tasty. 

What’s the one ingredient you believe can improve any dish? 

I love spring onion or scallion. It’s an ingredient that works with a lot of dishes. It adds texture and flavor to something as simple as steamed fish. You pour hot oil on and some spring onion on it. It just releases those flavors, especially if you add a bit of soya sauce and a bit of salt and sugar. It’s delicious. You can even add it to instant noodles. 

What customer request most annoys you?  

It doesn’t necessarily annoy me, but it can be difficult when someone asks to modify a dish. We understand that people have different needs, of course; sometimes there is a dietary requirement. But it’s definitely challenging to deal with people who don’t want garlic, or spring onion, or some other ingredient that we use a lot. We can accommodate those requests, but we know the dish will taste different.  

What’s your favorite dish to cook? 

I love anything that’s cooked in a wok. It’s just really, really satisfying — the fire and the smell of the smoke. It's always sizzling. So, anything that I can cook with a wok, especially wok fry, is great. 

As a head chef, are you quite calm and laidback? Or are you a strict disciplinarian? 

I spent some time in old-school kitchens, where the head chef would be, like, yelling — very military-like. But I’ve also spent some time in kitchens where it was a little bit more like: You can’t yell at someone; you can't use fear. Personally, I like to guide (my staff). My rules are things like: I need honesty. I need care. I need respect. These are things that people working together need to agree on. That’s a very basic thing to do as a human being. And once you agree, there's a lot of opportunity. 

It's OK to make mistakes. But I urge them to ask questions. So, there's a lot of guidance, and then a lot of challenging, like, “Why have you done this? What goes through your mind when choosing this method?” 




Chef ArChan’s Chongqing chicken wings. (Supplied)

RECIPE: Chef ArChan’s Chongqing chicken wings 

INGREDIENTS: 

1kg chicken wings 

1 packet potato starch 

2 tbsp chopped garlic 

1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns 

1 stalk spring onion, cut into 4cm lengths 

50g dried chilli 

1L water 

40g salt 

1 tbsp of ground spices (cumin, five spice, or spice mix) 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Add the salt to the water and stir until salt is dissolved, giving you a 4% salt solution. 

2. Lightly coat chicken wings in potato starch. 

3. Deep fry chicken wings at 180C for six minutes, or pan fry for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. 

4. Season the wings with some salt and your favorite ground spices. 

5. Sauté the garlic, Sichuan peppercorns and spring onion in a pan on high heat. 

6. Add a tablespoon of water and the dried chilli. Sauté until fragrant. 

7. Add the fried chicken wings to the pan. Toss for 15 seconds to absorb all the flavors. Serve. 


Review: A cinematic dining experience at Munchies in Safwa

Updated 25 June 2025
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Review: A cinematic dining experience at Munchies in Safwa

  • With dim lighting, cozy seating, and attention to music and mood, the ambiance supports the food without overshadowing it
  • Menu offers variety, with more than 50 items ranging from Italian comfort dishes to bistro classics

SAFWA: Munchies in Safwa city, Qatif governorate, may not catch your eye at first. There are no flashy signs or strong online presence to draw you in. But those who visit will find a unique dining experience.

Ahmed Al-Quraish opened the restaurant in 2023. It operates on a reservation basis and relies mostly on word of mouth.

The low-key approach continues inside, where the interior feels more like a carefully designed set than a typical restaurant.

With dim lighting, cozy seating, and attention to music and mood, the ambiance supports the food without overshadowing it.

The menu offers variety, with more than 50 items ranging from Italian comfort dishes to bistro classics.

A recent visit started with a crispy Caesar salad, generous in size and flavor, followed by hot arancini with a molten center. Both had a good balance of texture and temperature.

The main dishes were well prepared. The wagyu steak arrived cooked as requested, served with creamy mashed potatoes. It was tender, well seasoned and satisfying.

The pasta was rich and silky with a proper bite, and the fish and chips were golden and crisp.

The dessert menu focuses on enjoyable flavors. The chocolate cake was fudgy, the choux pastries flavorful, and the vibrancy and refreshing nature of the passion fruit cake stood out.

Munchies occasionally offers live music or themed events, but at its core are thoughtful food and atmospheric surroundings, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Munchies is open from 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This spot delivers consistent quality and ambiance.

The overall experience is worth making a reservation for. Check their Instagram, @munchiesksa, for more details.


Nora Fatehi, Amina Muaddi attend Louis Vuitton’s star-studded Paris Fashion Week show

Updated 25 June 2025
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Nora Fatehi, Amina Muaddi attend Louis Vuitton’s star-studded Paris Fashion Week show

PARIS/DUBAI: Paris Fashion Week kicked off with a bang — a Louis Vuitton show unveiling the French brand’s Menswear Spring/Summer 2026 collection.

The front row was packed with A-list stars, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Steve Harvey, Bradley Cooper, J-Hope, Karol G, PinkPantheress, Future, Pusha T, Jackson Wang, Bambam, Mason Thames, Miles Caton, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Malcolm Washington, Jalen Ramsey, and A$AP Nast.

Part-Arab guests also made an appearance, including Moroccan Canadian singer, actress and model Nora Fatehi, as well as Romanian Jordanian designer Amina Muaddi.

Part-Arab guests attended the show, including Moroccan Canadian singer, actress and model Nora Fatehi. (Getty Images)

Fatehi attended the show in a taupe double-breasted suit featuring a structured blazer with wide lapels, metallic buttons and flap pockets. She paired the blazer with loose, pleated wide-leg trousers in a matching fabric. She layered the suit over a white shirt and a white tie.

Meanwhile, Muaddi opted for a structured brown jacket with oversized flap pockets and a contrasting dark collar. Underneath, she wore a black knee-length leather skirt and a white top.

In this collection Pharrell Williams — half showman, half pop impresario — staged a cultural passage from Paris to Mumbai, fusing Indian tradition and modern dandyism into a punchy, sunstruck vision of the Vuitton man in 2026.

Muaddi opted for a structured brown jacket with oversized flap pockets and a contrasting dark collar. (Instagram)

The Pompidou’s iconic colored pipes served as a sci-fi backdrop for a set dreamed up with Studio Mumbai architect Bijoy Jain: a life size “Snakes and Ladders” board, alluding to both the child’s game and the adult risks of fashion’s global game. 

The models walked the runway in Indian-style chunky sandals, striped boxy shorts and blue preppy shirts with sleeves billowing like monsoon sails. Silken cargo pants shimmered in the sun; pin-striped puffers added a louche, almost Bollywood-kitsch edge. 

Cricket jerseys appeared with jeweled collars or, in some cases, a puffy hood covered in rhinestones. Blue pearlescent leather bombers flirted with the bling of Mumbai’s film sets, while pin-striped tailoring riffed on both the British Raj and Parisian boulevardiers.

Of course, with Vuitton, accessories make the man — and this season’s bags, jeweled sandals, and bold, hardware-heavy necklaces delivered Instagram bait. It’s maximalist, yes, but not just for the TikTok crowd. The craftsmanship — from sun-faded fabrics to hand-loomed stripes — rewards anyone who takes a closer look.


Rachel Zegler stands by support for Gaza despite backlash

Updated 25 June 2025
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Rachel Zegler stands by support for Gaza despite backlash

DUBAI: US actress Rachel Zegler has responded to the backlash she received for speaking out in support of Palestine, saying, “Nothing is worth innocent lives.”

The “West Side Story” star, who played the lead in Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of “Snow White,” came under fire during the film’s press tour for her political posts about the war in Gaza. In a new interview with i-D, she addressed the vitriol she faced — not just for her stance on Palestine, but also the widespread online narrative blaming her for the film’s poor box office performance.

Zegler pushed back against the idea that actors should stay silent on humanitarian issues for fear of professional fallout.

“I can really only echo Hannah Einbinder in saying that a platform becomes a responsibility, and that responsibility is ours to use as we please,” Zegler said, referencing the “Hacks” actor’s powerful remarks at a Human Rights Campaign dinner earlier this year, in which Einbinder criticized Israel’s assault on Gaza and emphasized the need for public figures to speak up.

“My compassion has no boundaries, is really what it is, and my support for one cause does not denounce any others. That’s always been at the core of who I am as a person. It’s the way I was raised,” Zegler continued.

“There are obviously things that are at stake by being outspoken, but nothing is worth innocent lives. My heart doesn’t have a fence around it, and if that is considered my downfall? There are worse things.”

In August 2023, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” actor expressed support for Palestine when she shared the first official “Snow White” trailer on X. She thanked her fans for their support, before adding in a separate post: “And always remember, free Palestine.”


Haifaa Al-Mansour appointed to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors

Updated 24 June 2025
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Haifaa Al-Mansour appointed to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors

DUBAI: Pioneering Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour has been appointed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors, the Red Sea Film Foundation announced on Instagram.

“As one of three newly named governors-at-large, Al-Mansour will represent the Directors Branch and bring her singular voice, vision, and global perspective to the Academy’s leadership for the 2025–2026 term and beyond,” they captioned the post.

“An incredible milestone for one of Saudi Arabia’s most celebrated filmmakers. We’re proud to see her continue shaping the future of cinema on a global stage.”
In 2012, Al-Mansour made history as she released her first feature film “Wadjda.” It was the first feature film shot entirely in the Kingdom and the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director.

Over the years, Al-Mansour has also become one of the most in-demand television directors in Hollywood, helming episodes of hit series including “Archive 81,” “City of Fire,” “Tales of the Walking Dead,” and “Bosch: Legacy.”

In 2019, Al-Mansour’s feature film “The Perfect Candidate” was submitted as Saudi Arabia’s official entry for the International Feature Film Award at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.


Rachel Brosnahan dons Zuhair Murad gown at ‘Superman’ premiere

Updated 24 June 2025
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Rachel Brosnahan dons Zuhair Murad gown at ‘Superman’ premiere

DUBAI: US actress Rachel Brosnahan attended the premiere of “Superman” in Rio de Janeiro this week wearing a gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad.

She wore a floor-length dress crafted from sheer navy blue fabric, adorned with geometric beadwork and sequins. The design featured a structured, plunging neckline with wide shoulder straps. The fitted bodice extended into a subtly flared mermaid-style skirt. 

Brosnahan takes on the role of Lois Lane in the upcoming film, directed by James Gunn. 

David Corenswet attended the premiere. (Getty Images) 

The movie follows a young Clark Kent as he navigates his dual identity as Superman and a journalist at the Daily Planet, striving to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.

Set to release on July 11, “Superman” stars David Corenswet in the titular role, with Brosnahan portraying the iconic reporter and central figure in Clark Kent’s personal and professional life. 

The eponymous hero has been described by producer Peter Safran as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”

The premiere was attended by Brosnahan, Corenswet and Gunn. 

Since founding his brand in 1997, Murad has gained international attention. His creations have been worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Sofia Vergara, Kristen Stewart and Scarlett Johansson on major red carpets.

He is one of a handful of Arab designers on the official Paris Fashion Week and Paris Haute Couture Week calendars.

Murad was recently championed by British Lebanese actress Razane Jammal, who wore a black ruched gown featuring a plunging neckline and tie detail at the waist from the designer’s ready-to-wear Pre-Fall 2025 collection to the launch of the Panthère de Cartier collection in Istanbul this week. 

In April, American actress Blake Lively and singer songwriter Nicole Scherzinger both wore Zuhair Murad designs to the 2025 Time 100 Gala.

Lively opted for a pink taffeta off-the-shoulder gown with a corseted bodice and train detail from Murad’s Spring 2025 ready-to-wear collection. Scherzinger chose a black off-the-shoulder sequined gown from the designer’s Pre-Fall 2025 ready-to-wear collection.