Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
Emirati homemakers are turning their kitchens into thriving businesses with traditional flavours.
Sweet and savoury dishes, produced by home-based businesses, are being served up at the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award (SMAEA) pavilion in the Sheikh Zayed Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
The SMAEA, which holds competitions and awards in various categories, is organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), under the theme "Innovative Farmers and Breeders with a Sustainable Vision".
Iman Al Hosani, a mother and passionate cook, is one of the participants at the SMAEA. This is her second year in the competition, and her business, "Victoria Jam", offers a wide range of homemade sweets.
Her dedication to her craft earned her second place in the category of Balaleet, a traditional sweet and savoury dish, at last year's SMAEA showcase.
"I've always been a good cook, and my family encouraged me to share my talent with the world," Al Hosani told Aletihad. "Being recognised by Sheikh Mansour's Award has been a huge source of pride and support."
She noted that her participation in the SMAEA not only gives her the chance to showcase her work, but also allows her to interact directly with customers, gaining insights into their tastes and preferences.
"Every year I try to innovate, to create something new," Al Hosani said.
Moza Abdallah Al Shamsi, another participant, brought a blend of traditional and modern dishes to the festival. She started her home-based food business, Al Barakah, two years ago and has since been displaying her products at various exhibitions, with her first participation at the Sheikh Zayed Festival being a proud milestone.
"Cooking has always come naturally to me," she said. "People love my food, and my family has been my biggest supporters through this journey."
Al Shamsi's children often help her with food preparation, and the close-knit family's teamwork shines through in her business.
"My goal for participating in this festival is to reach more people and share my cooking with them," she told Aletihad.
For Um Faisal, a mother and grandmother, the story behind her business is one of resilience and inspiration. After battling and surviving cancer, Um Faisal turned to cooking as a way to focus her energy and rebuild her life.
"I needed something to keep me busy, and my friend encouraged me to start this business," she shared in an interview with Aletihad. "It has been a joy every day."
For the past eight years, Um Faisal has been crafting and selling traditional products from her home's kitchen, including coffee, black pepper, and Arab ghee.
This year, she won fifth place in one of the SMAEA categories for her "Thareed", a comforting traditional soup.
"It's my second year participating, and every year I learn something new and improve my work," said Um Faisal. "I hope this festival helps me promote my business and continue to grow."
She is also eager to encourage other women to follow in her footsteps. "I want to tell other women who are thinking of starting their own businesses to join the Sheikh Mansour Award. It provides unmatched support and gives you the opportunity to learn from others who are on a similar journey."