Layan Damanhouri
“The food sector is very promising for young Saudis”, says celebrity TV chef Gary McKenna. “It is the biggest and fastest growing sector in the Kingdom.”
This billion-dollar industry is full of potential for Saudis who are eager to learn and looking for jobs, he says, adding there is a demand for training them.
“Waiting tables doesn’t necessarily mean a low salary. It means they’re skilled in communication and have knowledge of the product they’re serving”, he further says. Chef Gary is the co-owner and executive chef of the newly opened SO Restaurants in Riyadh.
Since his arrival in Saudi Arabia in 2013, Chef Gary actively took up several posts in the food business, including serving as food advisor to the British Embassy in Riyadh, hosting a cooking show on Saudi TV Channel 2, participating in a panel of experts at Caterer Magazine Middle East and, most recently, running his new restaurant in Riyadh.
Chef Gary shared his insight on Saudi food, cooking and the restaurant business in the Kingdom.
“Saudi Arabia has been a follower in food design and trends,” he says. “It should be a market leader in this industry”.
As many Saudis travel abroad and eat at Western restaurants such as burger joints, the same global franchises and chains are eventually introduced in the Kingdom.
However, this is developing into a serious issue in Saudi Arabia, he says, where diabetes is alarmingly the highest-ranking disease in the Middle East. According to recent statistics issued this year, 1 in 4 is diabetic.
“We can make fast food look exciting but healthy at the same time,” Chef Gary explains. “This is what I try to show people at my show and at the events we do”.
Recently, while many Saudis have become more health conscious, many face difficulties in finding the right knowledge. Chef Gary not only promotes healthy eating in his restaurant menu, but also in his cooking shows and events in Saudi Arabia. “We show people a healthy and nice lifestyle where we can have quality food and it doesn’t have to be unhealthy”, he said.
When asked about rising Saudi chefs and the challenges they encounter, he said that Saudis sometimes face language barriers and professional training. Many aspiring chefs go abroad to learn at institutions around the world.
Now is the time for innovation in Saudi food, says the English native who trained under the leadership of Michelin stars and renowned chefs starting at the young age of fourteen.
“Saudi Arabia has some of the finest spices in the world,” says Chef Gary. “People should start adapting their dishes to modern ones. I go out to the desert and meet really old families with tribal traditions and try to bring them back to life in a modern way. This is innovation in itself”.
During his stay in Riyadh and familiarizing himself with Saudi cuisine, he says, “I intended to adapt the European-looking dishes to the Middle Eastern taste buds. It tricks the mind into thinking there’s something familiar about this dish even though it looks Western”.
So what tips should Saudis follow, especially the young generation? Chef Gary suggested using fresh ingredients and local food to adapt to modern-style dishes. “Instead of buying read-made food, make your own homemade lamb-minced burger, for example. There is an array of herbs and salad goods to turn dishes into a healthy lunch”.
With over 100,000 followers on Twitter today, Chef Gary created a big name for himself in the world of cooking as well as in the Saudi community. He aims to continue promoting Saudi cuisine worldwide.
Twitter: @chefgarysaudi
