Prepared in mother’s kitchen, Saudi baker brings childhood talents to Jeddah patisserie

1 / 5
Mohammad Mashat enrolled at one of the world’s most prestigious culinary schools, Le Cordon Bleu, in Paris to follow their passion. (Supplied)
2 / 5
Mohammad Mashat enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu to follow his childhood passion in making pastries. (Supplied)
3 / 5
Mohammad Mashat enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu to follow his childhood passion in making pastries. (Supplied)
4 / 5
Mohammad Mashat enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu to follow his childhood passion in making pastries. (Supplied)
5 / 5
Mohammad Mashat enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu to follow his childhood passion in making pastries. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 02 January 2024
Follow

Prepared in mother’s kitchen, Saudi baker brings childhood talents to Jeddah patisserie

  • Mohammad Mashat has created a business out of his childhood passion for making cakes

RIYADH: Since he was a young child, Mohammad Mashat has spent many hours in the kitchen creating cakes, pastries and sweets with his mother and sister.

He helped his mother to run her home-based business before she founded Strawberry and Cheese bakery shop in Makkah about nine years ago.  

The UK-educated civil engineer and his sister, who both enjoy baking, enrolled at one of the world’s most prestigious culinary schools, Le Cordon Bleu, in Paris to follow their passion.




Some creations of the young baker Mohammad Mashat. (Supplied)

“I especially enjoyed baking cakes for my friends on their birthdays, special occasions and other celebrations when I was a student of civil engineering in the UK. This was because I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my mother when I was younger,” 27-year-old Mashat told Arab News.  

“I had the chance to enroll at Cordon Bleu in 2020. After doing an internship in Michalak, I returned to Saudi Arabia and worked at my mother’s bakery,” he said.  

FASTFACT

His time at Cordon Bleu gave him a wealth of knowledge about how kitchens function and how to select the highest-quality ingredients.

Mashat brought his experience back to Saudi Arabia and created a croissant for his mother’s store. “My French butter croissant was the talk of the town because my mother’s little shop in Makkah had the yummiest croissant that was selling quickly every day.”

Another hot item in his mother’s bakery are cheesecake pops — that are sold out every day.

This inspired him to open Patisserie Mo, a bakery in Jeddah.




Some creations of the young baker Mohammad Mashat. (Supplied)

His time at Cordon Bleu gave him a wealth of knowledge about how kitchens function and how to select the highest-quality ingredients. The customer experience at Patisserie Mo is distinct because the bakery chef asks the right questions to make a cake with perfect flavors that is responsive to his market.

Mashat enjoys spending time with his clients because some of them have dietary restrictions, allergies or specific requests.

“Our best-selling flavor is chocolate, which we create using only the finest French chocolate. We also have a lovely cake flavor made with lavender that I cook and extract.”




Some creations of the young baker Mohammad Mashat. (Supplied)

According to Mashat, many people enjoy fruit cakes, so he likes to create fresh mango cakes for his customers.

Mashat thinks that because people have an appetite for delicious cakes with beautiful designs and the highest-quality ingredients, the specialized baking market is booming in Saudi Arabia despite fierce competition.

“I adore creating and baking cakes, so I don’t feel fatigued or pressed for time. Once, I had an order of 400 eclairs and mille feuille that I had to deliver the next day; it was intense and bizarre, but the satisfaction I felt after was worth it.”

In future, Mashat hopes to take his brand to other places in Saudi Arabia. He has taught young people interested in baking through workshop sessions in the past, and one day he hopes to host his own masterclass.

https://www.instagram.com/patisserie_mo/

 

 

 

 


Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month

Updated 14 November 2024
Follow

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
Follow

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.


Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy

Updated 13 November 2024
Follow

Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Ambassador of Albania to the Kingdom Saimir Bala in Riyadh on Wednesday.

They discussed various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz met with Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Anatolii Petrenko in Dammam on Wednesday.

Prince Saud welcomed the ambassador to the Eastern Province. During the meeting, the two exchanged friendly talks and discussed a number of topics.
 


Biofach offers look into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural growth, future

Updated 13 November 2024
Follow

Biofach offers look into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural growth, future

  • The Kingdom and MENA region represent an emerging market for organic food, says organizing official

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is among the Gulf Cooperation Council nations taking significant steps to invest in developing its organic food and beverage sector, which has experienced a growth surge in recent years.

The three-day Biofach Saudi Arabia, which was held alongside Saudi Organic Food Day and concluded on Wednesday, is a key platform showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to developing its agricultural future.

Biofach was organized by 1st Arabia Tradeshows and Conferences in collaboration with NurnbergMesse, with support from the Saudi Ministry for Energy, Water and Agriculture and the Saudi Organic Farming Association.

Christian Beyer, manager of international events at NurnbergMesse, highlighted the potential of the Middle East and North Africa region: “The MENA region, especially Saudi Arabia, represents an emerging market for organic food that was estimated at USD 7 billion in 2022 and can expect ongoing growth.”

Recognizing the importance of organic farming for food security and environmental sustainability, Saudi authorities are focusing on enhancing rural production and improving supply chains to ensure organic products reach consumers efficiently.

The exhibition’s knowledge-exchange platform addressed local challenges, including effective water and fertilizer management, which are crucial for the region’s arid climate.

Among the exhibitors was the Saudi company Aamal Al-Andalus, which provides organic fertilizers to address soil degradation and declining fertility. Their products are said to help treat and reduce environmental stress, increase agricultural production, and improve the quality of crops to enhance export opportunities.

Youssif Abdulqader, sales manager and engineer at Aamal Al-Andalus, told Arab News: “Food around the world is increasingly going organic, particularly when all inputs in the plants come from organic and safe sources.”

He noted that this shift is largely driven by the health issues linked to consuming fruits and vegetables produced through conventional farming methods, which are often less beneficial or even harmful to human well-being.

Abdulqader explained: “Conventional farming practices are generally well-structured and effective; however, they face challenges such as the excessive use of pesticides and their persistence in the soil.”

Farmers often encounter bacterial issues within their crops that need to be addressed cost-effectively to maximize profitability.

“This is where organic alternatives can be prohibitively expensive, prompting conventional farmers to seek cheaper, often internationally banned options,” he added.

He added that the use of pesticides results in chemical residues that can remain in the plant’s environment.

These residues pose significant health risks when consumers ingest vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes.

“There is a concern that these chemicals may contain heavy metals that the human body cannot process, leading to serious health issues such as cancer, kidney failure, and liver diseases, which are frequently associated with traditional farming practices,” he explained.


Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum

Updated 13 November 2024
Follow

Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum

  • More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views

RIYADH: The imam and khatib of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Baijan, took part in a peace conference themed “Islam is the Religion of Humanity and Peace” during his recent visit to India

More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

As guest of honor, Al-Baijan delivered a speech in which he said that Islam was a religion of security and peace. He warned against divisions among Muslims and said that such discord threatened national unity, led to chaos and could incite wars.

Minister for Wakf and Haj in the government of Kerala Shri. V. Abdurahiman also spoke at the event, praising Saudi Arabia for its efforts in promoting Islam, peace and moderation.

Al-Baijan also joined the 35th All India Ahle Hadith Conference in New Delhi, where he commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts, led by its leadership, to promote security, peace, stability and the safeguarding of human dignity globally.