Face the facts. We wouldn’t stop eating until the very last day, even if the world ended. We place a high value on food in that way; We literally cannot live without it. We are overjoyed when we learn that one of our own is creating dishes that look too good to eat! However, there are some members of our society who are unable to shake a set of ideas and beliefs; for instance, the notion that “the kitchen is a woman’s place” or “only women can cook.” But let me tell you a different story in 2019: men can truly cook and a lady’s place is anyplace she maintains that it should be.
Male and female Khaleeji chefs are in short supply, according to a straightforward Internet search. In fact, the majority of well-known restaurants, hotels, and other establishments in the GCC Region are run by foreign chefs. It is safe to say that Khaleejis do not hold a significant share of the pie when it comes to the culinary arts. This is not to say that there aren’t any talented Khaleeji chefs out there; in fact, there are, but the profession is not well-liked or encouraged in our part of the world, especially among men.
As far as one might be concerned, one of the most youthful territorial gourmet specialists is Emirati Bader Najeeb, who is all the more broadly known as ‘Culinary expert B’ via online entertainment. Since he was 13 years old, when he first discovered his passion for baking, Bader has been a whirlwind in the kitchen. His motto was, “Don’t be scared to go into the kitchen and make a mess!” He watched his mother cook as a child, and his curiosity eventually led him to experiment in the kitchen as well. Bader taught himself how to cook with the help of his family and YouTube. I was never discouraged by my family from doing what I enjoyed. When we talk about his support system, he tells me, “I am forever grateful that they gave me the freedom to just be.”
Many people’s kitchens and Instagram feeds are filled with color and light as a result of Bader’s explosive online presence. He is still down-to-earth and is unperturbed by his growing influence (he has over 92,000 followers on Instagram). “In fact, a person once told me that their family allowed them to study abroad after seeing my Instagram feed, which I find amazing! I didn’t think it was possible, but I guess being passionate about online activity has its benefits! ”
His bravery in putting his love for cooking on display for all to see may open the door for other creative men who share his passion for certain occupations that are more common among women in the region, like cooking, decorating, and even hairdressing. Bader is of the opinion that the Region is undergoing positive change as an increasing number of people pursue the creative arts with vigor and openly show the world who they are through their art. I have every confidence that the situation will improve. I have no doubt whatsoever. He asserts, “The creative industry is flourishing everywhere in the Arab World.”
If you have been following Bader’s culinary journey from the beginning, you are aware that he appeared in cooking segments on both Sama Dubai TV and Abu Dhabi TV. When he was just 17 years old, he had his first. Bader studied accounting at Dubai Men’s College in 2013. After that, he got a job in the government. However, fate intervened, and in October 2018, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, where he will study Swiss chocolate and sugar arts (major yum).
