Saudi chocolatier wins Chocolate Master Challenge in Switzerland

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Khuolod Khalid won a master challenge for her chocolate show-piece where she showcased AlUla’s Hegra – the Kingdom’s first UNESCO world heritage site. (Supplied)
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Khuolod Khalid won a master challenge for her chocolate show-piece where she showcased AlUla’s Hegra – the Kingdom’s first UNESCO world heritage site. (Supplied)
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Khuolod Khalid won a master challenge for her chocolate show-piece where she showcased AlUla’s Hegra – the Kingdom’s first UNESCO world heritage site. (Supplied)
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Khuolod Khalid won a master challenge for her chocolate show-piece where she showcased AlUla’s Hegra – the Kingdom’s first UNESCO world heritage site. (Supplied)
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Khuolod Khalid won a master challenge for her chocolate show-piece where she showcased AlUla’s Hegra – the Kingdom’s first UNESCO world heritage site. (Supplied)
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Updated 24 June 2023
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Saudi chocolatier wins Chocolate Master Challenge in Switzerland

RIYADH: A Saudi pastry student and chocolatier has won a competition for her chocolate creation in which she showcased AlUla’s Hegra — the Kingdom’s first UNESCO world heritage site.

Speaking on her inspiration behind the showpiece, Khuolod Khalid said she was “astonished” by “the massive human and natural heritage of AlUla that makes one feel so small in this big universe.”

The Chocolate Master Challenge was organized by the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland under the theme “Winter Memories.”

Khalid said: “After receiving the theme, I decided to embody the winter in Arabia in this chocolate showpiece.”

Four judges were invited to choose the winner, including World Chocolate Champion Jorge Cardoso, who won the title twice in 2018 and 2022 at the Culinary World Cup where he represented Switzerland.

Khalid has worked for the Royal Commission of AlUla as a digital strategy consultant and supported a UNESCO campaign in which Saudi Arabia won membership to the UN’s educational, scientific and cultural executive board.




Khuolod Khalid with her creation.

She said working for the RCU was an “eye-opener” that helped her discover the extraordinary treasures of the historic city.

“I have always been amazed by this archaeological site and wanted to present it on an international level to tell the world about our history and the ancient civilization that lived thousands of years ago,” Khalid said.

“The idea was to combine the ancient archaeological site of AlUla, Hegra, with the modern-day activities and events that are taking place in AlUla, such as ‘Winter at Tantora,’ which was represented by the modern winter hat.”

Inspired by her love of animals, she also featured the Arabian leopard in her chocolate creation. She wrote about the Arabian leopard while working with the Ministry of Economy and Planning managing the Saudi pavilion’s online accounts and content at Dubai Expo 2020. She said it was then that she discovered the incredible creature.

“I have been reading about the Arabian leopard, which is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature,” she said, thanking the RCU for its commitment to safeguarding the species and reintroducing it to the area.

“I have decided to make the Arabian leopard part of my showpiece since it’s linked to AlUla,” she said.

Cardoso said: “The chocolate sculpture has successfully represented Saudi Arabia. It was an elegant piece that had a feminine touch. The sculpture had different techniques, from preparation to work and finally coloring. It also had clean collages. A nice job for the first chocolate sculpture.”

In Khalid’s showpiece, Hegra stands on a layer of “sand” inspired by artist Jim Denevan’s work, “Desert X AlUla — Angle of Repose.” The sand layer was also used on a tart that was part of the Master Challenge and was sprayed with beige-colored cocoa butter to give it a realistic effect. The flavors of saffron and orange were also incorporated to represent the region.

The judge and pastry chef at the Culinary Arts Academy, Abdullatif Hermann, said: “Many things have surprised me. The sand was portrayed perfectly, reflecting the amazing color of the desert. I could feel the strong symbol of Saudi culture and history that is moving forward and opening up to the world.

“As a young Saudi artist, Ms. Khuolod has done a wonderful job (in showcasing) Saudi Arabia’s … heritage.”

He added: “The new Saudi generation is ambitious and is not only able to carry their past but also represent it to the rest of the world in the best possible way.”

Khalid started her own small chocolate business in 2013 making chocolate pralines and bars. She was hired by Cardoso in January for his new brand JC Chocolatier.

“It’s both an honor and a huge opportunity to work directly with the World Chocolate Champion and learn all the advanced techniques for creating chocolate sculptures. I want to bring back this knowledge to Saudi Arabia and expand my chocolate business,” she said.

Khalid also shared how nostalgic she feels about her work with Saudi government entities as a consultant in PR, communications, and digital strategy. She said she is eager to return to this field and work on giga-projects within the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

She is currently studying at the Culinary Arts Academy under a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture.

“I would like to give my special thanks to the government of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Culture for their full support and trust in me. Thanks for making my dreams come true,” Khalid said.


KSrelief continues medical outreach in Kyrgyzstan, Yemen

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KSrelief continues medical outreach in Kyrgyzstan, Yemen

RIYADH: Medical outreach initiatives by Saudi aid agency KSrelief in Kyrgyzstan and Yemen are continuing, Saudi Press Agency has reported.

In Bishkek, a week-long cardiac surgery and catheterization campaign is ongoing, with volunteer specialists performing three open-heart operations and 28 catheterizations. The initiative in Kyrgyzstan continues until Nov. 16.

In Aden, Yemen, KSrelief specialists carried out emergency medicine training for volunteers. Some 134 people received cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, while a further 10 were given advanced cardiovascular life support training.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdullah Al-Moallem, the aid agency’s health and environmental aid department director, hosted a World Health Organization delegation in Riyadh.

As part of proceedings, he discussed with Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, further possibilities for expanding their partnership to benefit patients in Europe.


KSrelief distributes aid to needy in Gaza, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon

Updated 6 min 42 sec ago
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KSrelief distributes aid to needy in Gaza, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon

  • The aid is part of the relief and humanitarian projects implemented by Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to alleviate people’s suffering

Arab News RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed more much-needed aid to people in Lebanon, Yemen, Gaza and Syria, reported Saudi Press Agency.

In the Syrian city of Idlib, food and hygiene kits were delivered to 914 families, while 500 food parcels given out in Gaza benefited 3,500 people.

In the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon, 650 shopping vouchers were given to orphans and people with special needs from the Syrian refugee and host communities as part of the third phase of the 2024 Winter Clothes Distribution Project.

And in Yemen’s Hadhramaut Governorate, 800 winter kits were distributed, benefiting 4,800 people.


Saudi FM in Paris for AlUla talks with French counterpart

Updated 6 min 53 sec ago
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Saudi FM in Paris for AlUla talks with French counterpart

DUBAI: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Paris on Thursday to attend the second meeting of the Saudi-French Committee for the Development of the AlUla Project. 
During his visit, he will also meet with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, for a working lunch.


Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month

Updated 14 November 2024
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Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month

  • The organization, which nurtures the talents of gifted students, says event is a ‘global platform for talented and creative youth to collaborate in building a prosperous future’
  • It is expected to attract experts and researchers in the fields of science, technology and innovation from more than 50 countries

RIYADH: Mawhiba, an organization that works to nurture the talents of gifted students in scientific fields, will hold its third international conference this month with the theme “Beyond Creative Minds.”

Its Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity will take place from Nov. 24 to 26 at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh. Khalid Al-Sharif, the organization’s acting secretary-general, described the event as a “global platform for talented and creative youth to collaborate in building a prosperous future through the exchange of ideas and expertise.”

He told the Saudi Press Agency: “The event reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting and empowering talent and promoting a culture of innovation to address future global challenges.”

The conference is expected to attract experts and researchers in the fields of science, technology and innovation from more than 50 countries, many of whom will give keynote speeches, take part in panel discussions and lead workshops.

Al-Sharif said the event will include a “‘creathon’ aimed at finding creative solutions to contemporary challenges. Attendees will also have access to exhibitions and various cultural visits scheduled alongside the conference.”

He added that Mawhiba, more formally known as the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, will continue to develop talent, support creativity and provide resources to nurture the potential of gifted individuals. He thanked Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan for the substantial support he provides for the biennial conference.


Saudi and French ministers discuss cultural cooperation

Updated 14 November 2024
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Saudi and French ministers discuss cultural cooperation

  • Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Rachida Dati discussed cultural exchanges and cooperation relating to museums, libraries, theater, the arts, cuisine, heritage and film production

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and his French counterpart, Rachida Dati, held talks in Paris on Wednesday on cultural cooperation.

They discussed cultural exchanges between their countries and cooperation relating to museums, libraries, theater, the arts, cuisine, heritage and film production.

Riyadh and Paris are looking to strengthen partnerships, nurture talent through training programs for workers in cultural sectors, and exchange expertise, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Kingdom’s assistant culture minister, Rakan Al-Touq, also took part in the meeting.