DHAHRAN: Rania Moualla, ZADK Culinary Academy founder and chairwoman, has received global recognition for her pioneering social entrepreneurship and contributions to community development.
The Saudi philanthropist received a prestigious Fair Saturday Award during a ceremony at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The award recognizes her leadership, transformative vision and efforts to promote education, sustainability and the preservation of cultural heritage through gastronomy.
Moualla said: “ZADK is more than just a non-profit culinary academy — our goal is to preserve local culture, protect heritage, promote job creation, emphasize sustainability and drive social transformation. I’m thrilled that our success has now been recognized on the international stage.”
ZADK aims to drive positive social change through excellence in culinary education and innovation. It provides a foundation for passionate Saudis who aspire to be chefs and restaurateurs, nurturing their creativity and knowledge while emphasizing local culture and cuisine.
The Saudi philanthropist received a prestigious Fair Saturday Award during a ceremony at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. (Supplied)
It provides scholarships for qualifying students and offers a range of culinary courses, including a two-year higher culinary diploma, a one-year associate diploma, and a six-month professional certificate program, along with shorter courses and other services.
The comprehensive training programs aim to prepare students for the workplace, providing employers with competent employees who add value in a professional environment.
The Fair Saturday Awards were launched in 2017 with the aim of recognizing the initiatives of inspiring individuals and organizations, which have proven to generate social impact through art and culture. They emphasize the value of promoting new models of action with the mission of generating more inclusive, fair and sustainable growth.
Other recipients of the 2025 Fair Saturday Awards include Nobel laureate in economics, Joseph Stiglitz; journalist and author Martin Wolf; actress Adjoa Andoh; dancer and choreographer Ahmad Joudeh; pianist Joaquin Achucarro; and cultural association Gerediaga Elkartea.
