Favorite Chef: My mother

Favorite Cooking show: Chopped and Food Network Challenge

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

Growing up I always told people that I could live off ice cream and French fries, which I’m pretty sure I did when I was little. Fries would be my main meal and ice cream would be my dessert. I also knew I always wanted to open up a café or something of the sort and have food/desserts. So, when I first tried Liquid Nitrogen Ice cream in the States, I knew that was my calling! Coming back to Kuwait, I immediately set my heart and time into figuring out how to make the ice cream and making it as fresh and homemade as possible.

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

It depends on what I’m buying. Most of my base ingredients come from Sultan Center because I know exactly where they are and what they have in stock. I like to buy my fruit (for the sorbets) from LuLu, and if I have a special ingredient in my ice cream, then I’ll ask some of the local chefs/farmers in Kuwait.

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

In my opinion, my mom is the best cook in the world. One thing sticks out though – she makes this amazing chicken casserole with cracker crumbs on top and bakes it.

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

I usually try to go to different restaurants around Kuwait, but my two favorites are Thai and pizza. The go-to Thai restaurants I enjoy are Sabaidee and Thai Chow King because the food is fresh and run by Thai families. For pizza, it’s hands down Solo Pizza! I like the Napolitano style pizza, and the guys at Solo do it perfectly.

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

My friends and family.

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

I’d definitely take my mixing machine.