Name: Bilal Al-Dawalibi
Restaurant/Company: Mohamed. N. Al Hajery & Sons Co. LTD- Food & Beverage
Title: Executive Chef

Faves
Chef: John Benson-Smith
Cooking show: Emeril Live – Food Network
Cookbook: Barefoot Contessa -Back to Basics

What experience most defined your decision and desire to get into the food industry?
It opens a door to the world and you learn about responsibility early on in life.

What do you love the most about your current job?
The sense of collaboration, everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission. I’m blessed with a healthy work-life balance, I have a great degree of control and freedom within my job. A sense of autonomy because my bosses allow me to innovate. I love the challenge, the variety we experience, the challenge, and helping others.

Where is your favorite place to shop for food and ingredients in Kuwait?
Shoppers are spoilt for choice when shopping for food. The three main vegetable and fish/meat markets located in Shuwaikh, next to Souq Sharq and Al Kout Mall in Fahaheel are excellent sources of fresh ingredients without the supermarket price tags. Fresh fish is available on a daily basis; be sure to get to the fish markets very early.

What food most reminds you of your family’s house, and why?
Grilled Kibbeh made from yellow bulgur wheat, minced lamb leg meat with red onion and oriental spices stuffed with crushed walnut and red capsicum paste. With a touch of love! / because every time I eat this meal remained of the childhood.

When you want to go somewhere else to eat, where do you go and why?
I actually prefer eating any kind of Mediterranean cuisine, because it is so familiar with our local taste and is very light and healthy.

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

Name 3 food related things that start with the first letter of your name.
Bread Pudding, broccoli, butter.

What do you think will be the biggest food trend of 2019?
Mediterranean cuisine.