The Saudi culinary cultural revolution is being spearheaded by (and for) women.
These women are also at the forefront of preserving Saudi culinary history and traditions.
It all starts from the top.
A female worker at Aljoud Farm located in Al-Ula.Credit:Courtesy of Aljoud Farm
Saudi Arabia established aMinistry of Culturewith 11 individual cultural divisions, including theCulinary Arts Commission, in 2018.
And the very first CEO is a woman: Mayada Badr.
Badr represents the top of the food chain of the change for women in the culinary world.
Mayada Badr the CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia.Courtesy of Saudi Culinary Arts Commission
She credits Vision 2023 for bringing Saudi chefs and Saudi female chefs into the scene.
“Just announcing that culinary would be part of the arts commissions, we elevated the industry.”
Badr says the change to the evolving rules around gender segregation.
Workers at Aljoud Farm located in Al-Ula, an ancient city located in Medina Province, Saudi Arabia.Courtesy of Aljoud Farm
“Women weren’t really allowed to work with men in certain areas.
And now the schools are mixed, we have concerts, and we drive,” she said.
“Now you’re free to do everything online.
From left: Jareesh and Magshoosh, two national dishes of Saudi Arabia.Courtesy of Saudi Culinary Arts Commission
We have one of the best infrastructures for government online,” she said.
The bread soaks up the soup in an almost lasagna-like consistency.
Its then topped with lamb meat and garnished with lamb fat.)
A burger a other menu items from H Burger in Saudi Arabia.Paul Feinstein/Travel + Leisure
(It declaredjareeshandmagshooshthe two national dishes of Saudi Arabia.)
After her divorce, cooking became her livelihood.
Shukr skirted this as a divorcee and because she didn’t have a living father.)
Interior of the Obaya Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Center.ROBERT KFOURY/Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Center
That’s not to say Vision 2030 didn’t help Shukra, as helped her amplify her success.
Before there was no spotlight on women.
Now, its completely different," Shukr told T+L.
Dishes and seating at Joontos at Dar Tantora by The House Hotel in AlUla Old Town of Saudi Arabia.Courtesy of Dar Tantora by The House Hotel
“With the Vision 2030, it was easier for me.
I started to drive.
I look for events outside of the Kingdom.
Before the Vision, I couldnt travel without permission.
After the Vision, we can travel and go to meetings.
Companies became mixed, and banks became easier for women to work with.
So Vision 2030 opened so many doors for us.
This can truly be seen in the innovative chefs and culinary experts roaming the country today.
She singlehandedly visited every region of the country to help document heritage cuisine.
I applied for a scholarship and went to France to study culinary,” Yaseen said.
“I started by working at resorts in AlUla and I was the only woman in the kitchen.”
Courtesy of Dar Tantora by The House Hotel
And then theres Hala Abuonq.
Married at 15 and divorced by 35 in 2006, Abuonq needed money to support her and her family.
Now, she has two restaurants and two cloud kitchens in Riyadh.
Never in a million years could I have imagined this," Abuonq said.
“When I got divorced, it broke me.
But it brought me out.
I want to open branches of my business everywhere.
For tourists, visiting one of the aforementioned establishments is a great way to support female-owned businesses.
