JEDDAH: A well-known local chef has described how Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has inspired him to continue to work hard for himself and his family.

Chef Ali bin Yousef told a local publication that the king asked him his name and whether he was from Qasim at a recent gathering at the royal court. “When I answered yes, the king said, ‘Qasim people like Marqouq — a traditional Saudi dish — do you know how to cook it?’ I told him I love traditional food especially Marqouq and Jareesh.”

Bin Yousef, who now works for a large multinational hotel group, said that he is often complimented by fellow citizens because he is one of only a few Saudis working as a chef, but it was the words of the king which motivated him the most.

“It was enough for me when he asked me with a big smile on his face: ‘What are you cooking?’” He said the king advised him to work hard and to develop himself. “We left our father feeling happy and proud,” he said.

“I am married with two sons and five daughters. My love for the kitchen, the oven, the fridge and utensils started when I was in second grade. I became well known in my family for my splendid cooking,” he said.

He said that he started 17 years ago as a maintenance worker at the Royal Court in Al-Nassereyah. “I joked with a Sudanese cook that he was not cooking very well. He challenged me to cook better and so I did. Then the management of the Royal Court offered me a position in the kitchen. I worked there for nine years until I became a chef.”

He said he left the Royal Court and opened a private business but it did not work out because of labor procedures and so he joined the large hotel group. Last year he won an award for best cook in an international competition, and is now head chef.

“I cook all kinds of food and enjoy eastern cuisine in particular. But my passion is for the traditional dishes such as Marqouq, Jareesh and Qursan. I work passionately for 14 hours a day,” he said.

He said his family and friends are proud of him. “Sometimes my mother, wife and daughters ask me to cook for them. My friends do too, but I avoid them because I work long hours and have family obligations,” he said. He said young Saudis should not be embarrassed and become chefs, rather than do nothing.