Recipes for Success: Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha offers advice and a recipe for beetroot salad and roasted goat cheese 

Recipes for Success: Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha offers advice and a recipe for beetroot salad and roasted goat cheese 
Saudi chef Mohammed Salman Albasha took a role as a junior sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh about six years ago. He is now the executive sous chef there. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 August 2024
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Recipes for Success: Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha offers advice and a recipe for beetroot salad and roasted goat cheese 

Recipes for Success: Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha offers advice and a recipe for beetroot salad and roasted goat cheese 

DUBAI: Saudi chef Mohammed Salman Albasha took a role as a junior sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh about six years ago. He is now the executive sous chef there, managing a team of more than 100 chefs. 

“It has been one of the most unique experiences of my career, having lived in the US and Dubai, before moving to Riyadh,” he tells Arab News. “Working in one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, I’ve grown in my career as well as a professional in the kitchen.” 

 

 

Albasha, who was raised in the US, earned a degree in finance before making a shift to the world of culinary arts. He has worked under celebrity chefs including Jose Andres and also spent time learning Japanese cuisine at Zuma. 

Here, Albasha discusses cooking with love, customer peeves, and his favorite cuisines. 




Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha is the executive sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. (Supplied)

What’s your top tip for amateur chefs? 

Always cook as if it’s for the people you love the most. That’s not really a tip, but when you cook with love all the flavors and the aromas and the ingredients come together in a harmonic way. There are no rules to cooking. Just do it with love. 

What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish? 

Maldon salt. I learned that from my mentors when I started cooking Spanish cuisine. They put Maldon salt on everything. And it definitely enhances the flavors. 

 

 

When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?  

I wouldn't say I critique, because, as I just mentioned, there are no rules in cooking. Everybody has their own way of making a dish. So I might not like it, but a lot of people might. However, when I go out to eat I always like to think about how I would do a particular dish or how I would present it. 

What’s your favorite cuisine?  

I love Japanese food and Spanish food because I learned those cuisines when I was growing in my career. So, every now and then, I would go out and try new places, just to enhance my knowledge. 

 

 

What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home? 

You won’t believe it, but you can make a delicious chicken kabsa in a pressure cooker in 20 minutes. You just put your rice, chicken, tomato paste, and everything else into the pressure cooker and cook for 20 minutes. Back when I was in school in the US I used to make it all the time. 

What customer behavior most annoys you? 

When you go to restaurants, you should either eat the dish as it is or just don't go. A lot of people — including some of my friends — have demands like, ‘Oh, don't put garlic, don't put this or that.’ And then you end up taking 90 percent of the ingredients out of the dish. You can’t present a dish like this. So, in my opinion, if you're that picky, just don't go to the restaurant. 

What’s your favorite dish to cook?   

I’m from the Eastern side of Saudi Arabia. So, I would make a nice fish and grill it and take my time and try new techniques and use different herbs and spices. 

As a manager, what are you like? Are you a disciplinarian? Or are you more laidback? 

I'm not the kind of chef who likes yelling. However, I learned under a lot of chefs who used this style. But, leading a team of almost 110 chefs, I definitely say, ‘Be the leader that you want to see.’ You have to lead by example. You have to guide people through what you want, and you don't have to yell. Yelling and all that is disrespectful in any environment. Show them. 

 

RECIPE: Chef Mohammed’s beetroot salad and goat cheese recipe 

For the labneh 

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups labneh; 1 cup wood chips (Applewood or hickory); Saudi olive oil (for drizzling); salt to taste 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Place the labneh in a bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Mix well. 

2. (If using a smoker): Place the wood chips in a smoker and heat until they start to produce smoke. Place the labneh in a heatproof dish and put it in the smoker for about 30 minutes. (If using the stove): Place the wood chips in a deep pot and cover with aluminum foil. Poke holes in the foil. Place a wire rack over the foil and place the labneh in a pot on the rack. Cover the pot and heat on medium until smoke appears. Smoke the labneh for about 30 minutes. 

3. Once smoked, transfer the labneh to a bowl, drizzle with Saudi olive oil and set aside. 

For the roasted beetroot 

INGREDIENTS: 4 medium beetroots, peeled and cut into wedges; 1 tbsp dried lavender flowers; 2 tbsp Saudi olive oil; salt and pepper to taste 

INSTRUCTIONS:  

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). 

2. Toss the beetroot wedges with olive oil, lavender flowers and salt and pepper. 

3. Spread the beetroot wedges over a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until tender and slightly caramelized. 

For the fried breaded goat cheese: 

INGREDIENTS: 200g goat cheese, cut into 1-inch rounds; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, beaten; 1 cup bread crumbs; vegetable oil for frying 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Place the flour, beaten eggs and bread crumbs in three separate shallow bowls. 

2. Coat each piece of goat cheese in flour, dip in the beaten eggs, then coat with the bread crumbs. 

3. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the cheese rounds until golden brown and crispy (about 2-3 minutes each side). Drain on paper towels and set aside. 

For the final dish 

INGREDIENTS: Smoked labneh; roasted beetroot with lavender; fried breaded goat cheese; ready-to-eat figs, halved; microgreens for garnish; beetroot powder for garnish; Saudi honey for drizzling 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. On a serving plate, place a dollop of smoked labneh. 

2. Arrange the beetroot wedges around the labneh. Place the fried goat cheese rounds next to the wedges. 

3. Place halved figs on the plate and sprinkle with microgreens. 

4. Lightly dust the dish with beetroot powder and drizzle with honey.  

5. Serve immediately. 

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Loli Bahia, Mona Tougaard walk at Tory Burch’s Fall/Winter 2025 show in New York  

Loli Bahia, Mona Tougaard walk at Tory Burch’s Fall/Winter 2025 show in New York  
Updated 12 February 2025
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Loli Bahia, Mona Tougaard walk at Tory Burch’s Fall/Winter 2025 show in New York  

Loli Bahia, Mona Tougaard walk at Tory Burch’s Fall/Winter 2025 show in New York  

DUBAI: Regional models Loli Bahia and Mona Tougaard took center stage at the Tory Burch Fall/Winter 2025 show during New York Fashion Week, walking the runway in layered, textured ensembles.

Bahia, who is French Algerian, wore a navy pullover sweater with an oversized white collar, paired with brown trousers featuring a panel running down the sides. The sweater’s sleeves were rolled back to reveal a lighter lining, and a small gold pin fastened the collar. She carried a structured black leather bag with a long strap and wore polished brown leather shoes. 

Meanwhile, Tougaard — who has Danish, Turkish, Somali and Ethiopian ancestry — wore a rich navy look, featuring a shaggy-textured coat draped over matching velvet pants. 

Bahia wore a navy pullover sweater with an oversized white collar, paired with brown trousers featuring a panel running down the sides. (Supplied)

A structured scarf was wrapped around her shoulders, secured with a gold pin. The look was completed with glossy pointed-toe shoes and she carried a slouchy black leather handbag with soft folds and a long strap.

Tory Burch’s latest collection played with the familiar, offering a “twisted” take on classic sportswear, according to show notes. 

Pieces that might traditionally be considered wardrobe staples — such as cardigans, sweatpants and blazers — were reimagined. Banker shirts flared at the cuffs, cardigan sleeves were slashed and pinned at the shoulder, and shirt dresses followed a spiral construction, giving them a sculptural drape. 

Tougaard wore a rich navy look, featuring a shaggy-textured coat draped over matching velvet pants. (Supplied)

“A wardrobe collected over time, where each piece becomes irreplaceable: the perfect blazer, a favorite dress, a worn-in sweatshirt,” Burch said in a released statement.

The fabrics reflected the collection’s focus on deconstruction and transformation. Corduroy shaped cut-out dresses, needle-punched wool resembled fleece, and Japanese brushed jersey refined sweatpants and rugby tops.

Footwear incorporated details like heels, zippers and seams that appeared asymmetrical. The Twisted Pump from Spring/Summer 2025 returned in a distorted T-strap and slingback sandal.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by TORY BURCH (@toryburch)

For the jewelry, the designer introduced a hint of ’70s glamour. Shoulder-dusting chain earrings, oversized crystal flower brooches, and gold-tone sunglasses brought a vintage sensibility to the collection. Notably, the whimsical animal-inspired jewelry seen in recent seasons continued. 

The show took place at the Museum of Modern Art, and was attended by guests including Amanda Seyfried, Jodie Turner-Smith and Alexandra Daddario, who shared a bench with singer-songwriter Ciara and media icon Martha Stewart. 

The event was set to a soundtrack curated by Wladimir Schall. 


Jan Zuiderveld blends AI and creativity in interactive installation in Qatar

Jan Zuiderveld blends AI and creativity in interactive installation in Qatar
Updated 12 February 2025
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Jan Zuiderveld blends AI and creativity in interactive installation in Qatar

Jan Zuiderveld blends AI and creativity in interactive installation in Qatar

DOHA: Dutch artist Jan Zuiderveld has repurposed a standard office photocopier into an interactive AI-powered tool for his installation “Machine-Aided Creativity,” currently on display at Qatar’s “Ai or Nay? Artificial vs. Intelligent” exhibition at the Media Majlis Museum. 

The exhibition, running until May 15, 2025, explores the relationship between artificial intelligence, creativity, and identity through more than 20 works by regional and international artists.

With Zuiderveld’s installation, visitors can sketch on paper, insert their drawings into the machine, and press a red button to watch as it prints vibrant, intricate AI-generated images.

Jan Zuiderveld has repurposed a standard office photocopier into an interactive AI-powered tool for his installation “Machine-Aided Creativity.” (Supplied)

Initially, Zuiderveld presented the drawings on a computer, but he found the response underwhelming. “A lot of people were not as impressed as I thought they would be,” he told Arab News. 

“People often don’t find what happens on a computer screen special anymore. Because it is a computer, you are used to it. It does special things, magic things,” he said. 

This realization led Zuiderveld to rethink his approach. “I wanted to take machine learning algorithms out of the computer and embody them physically, so they feel more tangible for people,” he said.

He deliberately chose a photocopier as the interface for its familiarity. “I wanted to create something intuitive, where people don’t need instructions. It allows them to focus on the interaction itself,” he said. 

The artist also believes that the installation fosters social engagement as participants share their creations. “It works really well at events—people play with it, share their outputs, and it becomes a nice social lubricant,” he added. 

Zuiderveld spent months refining the installation so it could operate entirely offline, with all algorithms running locally on the machine. “That was the most significant update,” he noted, adding that real-time interactivity remains central to his work despite the challenges. 

“For me, the most enjoyable part is watching people interact with the machine. It always brings in elements of surprise and new ways of thinking,” he said.


Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai
Updated 11 February 2025
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Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

DUBAI: French luxury label Cartier this week hosted its “A Journey of Wonders” high jewelry exhibition in Dubai, drawing a star-studded lineup of regional celebrities. 

Among the attendees were Egyptian Montenegrin actress Tara Emad, Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine, TV presenter Raya Abirached and entrepreneur and host Anas Bukhash. Each guest showcased Cartier’s signature pieces.

Emad wore pieces from the Trinity Collection, featuring a mix of pink, yellow and white gold. Her ensemble included Trinity earrings with black lacquer and diamonds, a matching Trinity necklace and bracelet, and a Trinity ring incorporating the same materials.

The actress, who recently debuted a new short haircut on Instagram to her three million followers, paired her jewelry with a tailored black pantsuit by Lebanese designer Elie Saab. The ensemble featured a structured blazer with sharp lapels and intricate gold stitching along the edges and pockets.

Abirached wore a black Magda Butrym midi-length dress. (Supplied)

Abirached wore a black Magda Butrym midi-length dress featuring a strapless, structured bodice and an asymmetrical draped detail at the waist. She accessorized with Cartier’s Grain de Café collection, known for its intricate detailing. Her jewelry included Grain de Café earrings, a necklace and a ring, all crafted in yellow and white gold and set with diamonds. She completed the look with black open-toe heels adorned with floral embellishments. 

Meanwhile, L’Abidine, who sported a black suit, chose a refined selection of classic Cartier designs, wearing a Santos de Cartier watch in steel paired with a Love bracelet in white gold. 

L’Abidine sported a black suit. (Supplied)

Bukhash, on the other hand, opted for a mix of the brand’s signature pieces, including a Santos Dumont watch in yellow gold, a Juste un Clou bracelet in white gold, and a Love ring in white gold. 

Bukhash opted for a mix of the brand’s signature pieces. (Supplied)

These stars, who also serve as ambassadors for the brand, have previously collaborated with Cartier and attended its events.

In 2023, Emad, L’Abidine and Bukhash walked in the brand’s runway show in Dubai. 

That same year, in April, Emad starred in a Cartier campaign alongside L’Abidine, Tunisian-Egyptian actress Hend Sabri and Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek.


Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark
Updated 11 February 2025
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Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

TORONTO: “Muslim Matchmaker” premiered on Hulu this week. The series is directed and produced by Smriti Mundhra (of Netflix’s “Indian Matchmaking” fame).

But this time around it’s not Sima Aunty and her outrageous comments, but rather two older sister types – Hoda Abrahim and Yasmin Elhady – who are helping eight Muslim Americans find love.

The premise of their matchmaking business is the “Rules of Three: Three dates, three months, and three hundred questions.” In an era of dating apps and superficial swipes, the duo urges couples to approach their search for love with intention. They emphasize the importance of giving the relationship time and space to grow while asking the right questions.

The eight-episode show provides a fresh perspective on Muslim Americans as they navigate both their Muslim and cultural identities in the West. It offers captivating discussions on topics like cultural expectations when dating an older woman, the appropriate timeline to “date,” and finding a partner with an equal “halal-to-haram ratio.” These discussions are sure to resonate with many. And perhaps, offer a glimpse into a Muslim world that’s rarely seen in mainstream Western media.

The show comes with good intentions. For one, it acknowledges dating app fatigue. It offers a refreshing take with matchmakers who approach singles’ choices without judgment or sacrilegious remarks about “wanting too much” (looking at you, Sima Aunty).

But that’s also probably the biggest failing of the show. Dating shows thrive on drama – and there’s none here.

Tension doesn't surface until episode four. A Bengali-American woman is older than the man she’s dating, and cultural norms deem this unacceptable. We’re left on a cliffhanger, wondering how the Bengali-American man will disclose the relationship to his family.

It shouldn’t take that long to get us hooked.


Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign
Updated 10 February 2025
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Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign
  • Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe”

DUBAI: Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe has unveiled a Ramadan campaign directed by Lebanese Sudanese auteur Dana Boulos and starring Saudi actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah and Saudi Olympic rower Husein Alireza.

The cast is rounded out by Omani artist Mays Almoosawi, Kuwaiti visual artist Najd Al-Taher, Emirati film director Sarah Al-Hashimi, Kuwaiti DJ Cascou and Bahraini contemporary artist Salman Al-Najem.

Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe.”

The campaign promotes the brand’s Silver Capsule Collection, its first-ever release for Ramadan by designer JW Anderson. With the concept, creative direction, casting and production by Between Us Boys Studio, and post-production handled by DAHOUL Studio, the clip focuses on a clock ticking down until iftar, the meal that breaks a Muslim’s fast during Ramadan.

The Silver Capsule Collection released at select stores the Middle East and at Harrods in London, on Sunday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Dana Boulos (@danaboulos)

The collection sees the brand’s signature bags get a Ramadan makeover; the Puzzle bag appears in vetiver crocodile, while the Flamenco clutch and Squeeze bag are offered in metallic textures with intricate beading. The ready-to-wear selection boasts silky belted pajamas, soft nappa leather sets, and day-to-night silk dresses.

Los Angeles-based Boulos, who directed the campaign, has worked on short films, music videos, and fashion commercials for the likes of Mercedes Benz, Glossier, and Farfetch.

For her part, Taibah shot to fame for her show “Jameel Jeddan,” the first Saudi show starring, written, and created by a Saudi woman.

The plot of the 2022 release was anything but typical. Strong-headed Jameel wakes up from a five-year coma and is forced to finish her last year in high school and rejoin a society she no longer associates with. As a coping mechanism, she begins to experience glitches in the form of an animated alternative reality.

Taibah is currently working on off-beat Saudi romcom “A Matter of Life and Death,” which she wrote. The film is being directed by Anas Batahaf and will star Taibah and Yaqoub Al-Farhan.