Aspiring Saudi chefs following dreams at Paris’ Le Cordon Bleu

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“I never attempted to make croissants. Now I feel more confident and capable of doing anything, any dish, any dessert,” Khulood Almukrain says. (Supplied)
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Khulood Almukrain’s simsimiya inspired tart, with pistachio and rose water. (Supplied)
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Blanquette de Veau à l’ancienne, légumes du potager. A traditional French dish, made with lamb. Ghadeer added cardamom and coriander seeds to the sauce, to add oriental flavors. (Supplied)
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Moon crescent shaped tart, inspired by Ramadan and Saudi flavors: Saudi coffee, date with cinnamon and caramelized pecan. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 March 2024
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Aspiring Saudi chefs following dreams at Paris’ Le Cordon Bleu

  • MISK Foundation’s Generation 2030 program helps Saudi students find places at schools in France

DUBAI: Two students from Saudi Arabia are following their dreams to become chefs at Le Cordon Bleu, the renowned French culinary and hospitality institution in Paris.

In an interview with Arab News en Francais recently, Ghadeer Ibn Khamis and Khulood Almukrain said they were grateful to the government for providing them the opportunity to study at the prestigious institution.

“I relocated with my husband to France and decided to take my passion for cooking to the next level,” said Ibn Khamis.

Once in the city of art, culture and gastronomy, Ibn Khamis opted for the Cordon Bleu diploma which provides specialization in cuisine and pastry.




Ghadeer Ibn Khamis in class photo. (Supplied)

“I wanted to shift away from the fast-paced environment of doing business in Riyadh, to focus on a field I love,” added Ibn Khamis.

The two were provided full-time scholarships by Generation 2030, backed by MISK. Generation 2030’s objective is to empower young people in various fields, enhance Franco-Saudi relations in arts, culture and fashion, as well as ensure an exchange of knowledge and talented students.

Known for its vibrant hospitality scene, Saudi Arabia has been attracting fine dining restaurants over the past decade. This is a part of the Vision 2030 plan to grow the tourism industry. Culinary schools are a part of the conversation, and Le Cordon Bleu is expected to open in Riyadh in 2024/2025.

Almukrain said: “I used to work at a bank and I was happy in my role. I applied to Le Cordon Bleu program after watching (the movie) ‘Julie & Julia.’ In a couple of days, I made the decision to enroll. It was nerve-wracking, but I feel I made the right decision.”

Founded in Paris in 1895, Le Cordon Bleu is a large network of culinary and hospitality schools with more than 35 institutes in 20 countries. It has 20,000 students of over 100 nationalities graduating every year with certificates, diplomas, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Almukrain added: “In pastry, there are many things I never imagined I would be able to do, I never attempted to make croissants. At Le Cordon Bleu, they put you under pressure, a challenge, where you have to do something you initially feel you won’t be able to do. Now I feel more confident and capable of doing anything, any dish, any dessert.”

The two students highlight that French cuisine is about technique and relies on seasonality, good quality products, and a balance of flavors. Blending Saudi Arabia’s flavors with French technique is an attempt to combine innovation and heritage, bridging cultures and reconciling tastes and preferences.

Ibn Khamis said: “French cuisine relies on veal meat, like Blanquette de veau which is also the case in Saudi Arabia … In adapting French cuisine to the Saudi taste, I don’t change the dish itself, I incorporate indirect changes. It is not easy, but it is doable.”

For her “make your own tart” exam, Almukrain brought Arabic flavors to the production.

“The tart was inspired by the simsimiya. Applying the techniques of cream and dough-making, coulis, and crust preparation, my idea was to deliver a tart with pistachio, simsimiya and rose water, surrounded by choux pastry, filled with creme patissiere, pistachio praline and tahini,” said Almukrain.

Ibn Khamis said Le Cordon Bleu is a place for learning, commitment and discipline.

“I used to be late, and not finish my plates on time … Then I started delivering my plates among the first in my class. The best part about my experience is seeing progress over time, till I reached a point where the chef does not comment on the plating and the presentation of my dish.”

For Almukrain, Le Cordon Bleu allowed her to meet people from different cultures and learn about their dishes.

“It is my first time travelling and living on my own, which is an experience by itself. The exposure, the amount of information I received, I am happy to learn and implement. You exceed your own expectations and your self-confidence increases,” said Almukrain.

“French cuisine is the most technical cuisine. When you go to any other cuisine, having a French cuisine and techniques background will help you a lot,” she added.

Students receive the Grand Diplome upon completion of the culinary program, followed by a second diploma in restaurant management. The objective is to help students develop their business idea, and learn about budgeting, marketing, financing and designing menus.

“There is a lot more to learn, an infinite room for creativity, and a sense of achievement with the positive feedback and support of family and friends,” added Ibn Khamis.

Wearing the Le Cordon Bleu chef’s hat is the upcoming milestone before carrying the French experience back to Riyadh, where the two are looking to head into food consultancy and restaurant management.


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.


Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy

Updated 13 November 2024
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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
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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
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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.