Meet Yousuf Khumayes and Hani Zain. If their names don’t really get the pots and pans clanging, chances are you’ll hear a lot more about them very soon thanks to their brand new show.
The Saudi Arabian chefs have teamed up with producer Ahmad Sahab to present a cookery programme, set to debut on OSN YaHala! HD on the first day of Ramadan. Aptly titled Saudi Chefs, the series will see them demonstrate their passion for food in their own unique style along with nutritionist Lama Sultan. The pair, who appeared on Top Chef Middle East on LBC TV, are sure to bring a new twist to a cooking show: Khumayes has been cooking since he was 12 while Zain is a rapper and the owner of a Brazilian restaurant in Jeddah.
tabloid!’s Showbiz Arabia recently caught up with the two. Here is an excerpt:
Q: How did the two of you come together to present Saudi Chefs?
Zain: A year ago, we met on the set of Top Chef Middle East, where I won third place and Hani won fourth. After that our friendship developed and we participated in several projects together. We were always talking about our dreams to have our own show one day, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank OSN for trusting us and believing in our abilities and talents.
Q: What made you decide you wanted to be a chef?
Khumayes: My mother always found me in the kitchen trying different recipes until I got a dish right. When I was 16, I was living with my family in Ireland, so I joined a college dedicated to artistic cooking. Then after graduation I worked at several hotels and restaurants, such as at the Four Seasons, and learned from some of the best in the industry — including chefs who had won Michelin stars at their own restaurants.
Zain: Many years ago I travelled around the world, starting with Malaysia and ending in Brazil. During the trip, I tried many international dishes and learned from local chefs in each country.
Q: What’s your favourite cuisine?
Khumayes: A little bit of everything... I love Asian recipes, because they are distinct and have many flavours and tastes that can be created with interesting ingredients. But then I also prefer cooking Asian dishes using French techniques. I also love Italian.
Zain: I prefer Latin cuisine in general, because it mixes flavours in a unique way and has very special cooking methods.
Q: In your experience, is there such a thing as a global dish?
Khumayes: I think rice is a meal that is available and consumed by every people all around the world. However, the nice thing is that each people prepare it and eat it in a completely different way depending on where they are from.
Zain: In addition to each country presenting each dish in a different and unique way, each region has its own dishes which are unique.
Q: What do you say to those who think that healthy food is not tasty?
Khumayes: I believe that healthy food can be tastier than traditional food, as I believe in the art of creating the dishes and making different recipes using different ingredients. You will see in our programme how Hani and I exchange responsibilities of cooking different dishes each in his own way to create a healthier dish served in a new and creative method.
Q: What’s your fondest food memory?
Khumayes: Kabsa and steamed rice was the first dish we prepared together. We decided it would be the first as it can be prepared in so many different ways and many people do not know the difference between Kabsa and steamed rice, so we had to clarify that and cook them in traditional and healthy ways.
Q: Hani, do you rap while cooking?
A: I try always to separate between the two as each relies on a different creativity aspect and requires a special mood. That said, I do find myself singing unintentionally when I am in the kitchen. Of course this bothers Yousuf sometimes, but I am aware that he sings when I am not in the kitchen with him!
Q:Finally, what can viewers expect from the show?
Khumayes: We will be showing viewers how to make a number of dishes especially suitable for breaking your fast with during Ramadan, in addition to many surprises in each episode.
