Dubai: It was the end of an era for chef Osama El Sayed as he prepared to shoot the last episode of his popular Dubai TV cooking show, Ma’a Osama Atyab, last Thursday.
Joking and camaraderie among the show’s crew quickly gave way to a seriousness of purpose as the live show began, and finally ended with hugs and tears. Ma’a Osama Atyab ran for nine years, and the last episode was dedicated to sharing memories and highlights from the show’s run, with fans calling in to wish Osama well.
“You are part of our family,” said caller Siham from Iraq, while Umm Abdullah’s voice broke as she called from Bahrain to tell Osama how sad she is about his departure.
Osama also appeared overwhelmed with the calls, lowering his face as viewers told him what an impact he has made in their lives. “I never saw the camera as a barrier between us,” Osama told them later.
The emotional farewell is a testament to the kind of show Ma’a Osama Atyab was – interaction with viewers was always a big part of the show’s concept. In 2005, a year after the show first aired, it began a segment called ‘Sana Oula Matbakh’ (First Year in the Kitchen), which brought in viewers to come onto the show and learn from Osama. Later, Osama began visiting viewers in their homes and demonstrating how they could make his recipes in their own kitchens – one such viewer, Umm Mohammad from Sharjah, called to thank him for coming over to show her how to make healthier burgers and fried chicken for her 10 children.
Osama emphasised that he had wanted the episode to be dedicated to the show’s nine-year run and its many fans.
“I don’t want to waste the most beautiful thing, nine years of memories that were a pleasure for me,” he said.
“I tried to give a space to people who over this entire period helped me to be in their homes… that’s the least we can do, is to set aside a part of the episode for them,” he added.
Ma’a Osama Atyab also hosted famous chefs, such as French chef Pierre Gagnaire, who shared their tips with the audience, and the ambassadors of Australia and the United States, among others, who participated in episodes dedicated to showcasing the cultures and food of other countries. Some episodes focused on children and people with special needs.
Osama, who graduated from the Institute of Hotels in Cairo in 1979 and studied classical French cooking at L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland, said on the show that his plans were to spend the upcoming Ramadan with his family. But he was noncommittal about future projects and plans.
“This was a page and God willing there will be a new page with new innovations… something that will be a continuation of what we’ve started here,” Osama said.
