Name: Noor Faisal Al-Qatami

Restaurant/Concept: Saveco/Wholesome Foods By Saveco

Title: CEO

Faves:

Chef: Chef Mario Batali.

Cooking show: Iron Chef America.

Cookbook: Australian Weekly recipe books.

What experience most defined your decision and desire to get into the food industry?

Since I was in college, I used to love walking around in grocery stores in the US or wherever I travelled. I like finding new products, discovering new ingredients and most of all I loved the merchandising and the way they displayed all these products under one roof. Unfortunately, when I came back to Kuwait I realized we lacked a store that prioritizes aesthetics, merchandising and most of all customer service; which opened up an opportunity for me to open Saveco and Wholesome Foods stores.

Where is your favorite place to shop for food and ingredients in Kuwait?

Saveco, of course!

What food most reminds you of your mother’s house, and why?

Haressa. My grandmother used to cook it and send it to all of our relatives in Ramadan and the taste was outstanding! After she passed away the recipe was given to my mom who now has taken over the tradition.

When you want to go somewhere else to eat, where do you go and why?

Genki in Arraya Center. They have the best sushi in town!

Who in the world would you most like to cook for?

My husband and kids.

If you were to leave Kuwait and could take only one kitchen gadget with you, what would it be?

My pans. I’m very particular about which pans I use!