It all started with a cheesecake. “I’ve always loved cooking,” she started, “and I knew I wanted to do something related to food.” With her top secret cheesecake recipe in hand, Hadeel Al Tamimi felt inspired. Making the decision to go back to school, Hadeel started researching every option out there to get the most out of her Culinary Arts education. That’s when she found a degree that would not only help her expand her skills in the kitchen, but it would also give her the business background she would need to start any culinary endeavour. Now, this certified Chef and Culinary Consultant went on to realize her passion project, and Tanto was born.
Tanto, Spanish for ‘so much,’ is a bakery, catering concept and food consulting service. “The company has a lot to give,” Hadeel explained, “so why not call it Tanto!” Having found the perfect name, Hadeel went on the hunt to find the perfect logo. “I love owls!” she smiled. Keeping that in mind, Hadeel sought help from her friends to come up with the perfect illustration. And the owl logo was born. Consistently challenged and motivated by her sister, Hussah Al Tamimi, Hadeel continued her adventures in the kitchen. “She was my first customer,” Hadeel laughed, “For the first while, she was the only one [other than family] to consistently make orders!” Now, with set offerings, daily specials and even special requests for catering, Hadeel can do it all. Always up for challenge, she can cater for everything from an intimate family lunch to a larger gathering: “Currently, I’m at a maximum of 50 people since I’m still a one-man-show,” Hadeel laughed. Equipped with the know-how to create a concept from the ground up, Hadeel can even help you out with your next restaurant or cafe concept!
Hadeel, a Jane-of-all-culinary-trades, handles every aspect of the business. “I can handle it all myself,” Hadeel went on, “but if I need help I hire on the spot help with prep and presentation.” After a great opportunity catering for The Secret Cinema Society one night — “we did tapas and people loved it!” — Hadeel took her business from friends and family only to a public account on Instagram for people to make their orders from. Slowly growing and creating new items for her menu, Hadeel decided to introduce Daily Specials: “People started calling me and asking if the items would be available again at any point, and the orders just kept coming.” With the support of her husband, children and family and friends, nothing can stop Hadeel.
While her education and background make her the ideal front-runner for any concept, Hadeel’s heart is in cooking. The kitchen is her haven and she enjoys every second of it. That’s exactly why every dish she creates is made with a lot of love. Tanto’s offerings aren’t cuisine particular, it caters to the international palate. Still, everything you’d get comes with Hadeel’s very own culinary flair. Working with seasonal items, Hadeel ensures that Tanto’s menu is always fresh and innovative. But if she would ever decide to make just one dish forever, it would the cheesecake: “I started with cheesecake, and I’ll always love making cheesecake.”
You can check out all of Tanto’s delicious offerings by following Hadeel on Instagram @Tanto_kw. For orders, WhatsApp her on 9098 5581. If you have any business inquiries, be sure to email her at contact@tanto-food.com.
