Samar Yahya
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Osama El Sayed has built up a solid reputation as a first-class chef capable of meeting strict demands and deadlines while producing exquisite food. He began his career when he joined the institute of hotels in Egypt, then traveled to the United States for more study in the same field.
He believes in an old song that says, “If can’t be with the one you love, love the one who you are with.”
While studying in the United States he worked in various departments in hotels, and there he discovered his passion for working in the kitchen.
Speaking to Saudi Gazette, he said: "Gradually, I found myself more obligated to work and learn more and more, till I got the opportunity to work as a chef.
“I worked in Washington D.C. at one of the catering firms. Our company was the most elite company. I became the executive chef for the company. We used to cater for the State Department, the chamber of commerce and other venues. We were in charge of the catering for these departments, especially parties. We also did presidential catering.”
El Sayed was also running the largest social catering company in the states. “As a chef, you have to feed everyone and you have to respect everyone’s culture and food.
Being a professional chef and executing a party for people who expect good home-style cooking, all cuisines are good to me,” El Sayed explained.
El Sayed noted that it is the mood and not the food that makes the best meal. If someone is in a good mood and eats the simplest food he will enjoy it.
“The key to a good meal is the right and fresh ingredients, then comes the rest and how to deal with these good ingredients. The cost of a good meal is not the secret.
Sometimes people are led by media and it is not true that the value of a good meal is in its cost," El Sayed explained.
“For me, the best meal depends on the occasion. Sometimes you see what is there in the fridge and make your meal out of it.”
Talking about his children, El Sayed said none of them are taking up his profession. “When he was a child, my eldest said one day that he doesn’t want to be a chef because he wants to spend longer time with his kids.”
El Sayed said that Saudi cuisine is unique in its diversity. There are different dishes for each region.
El Sayed believes that diverse time and weather make people seek a special diet. “In summer, we have to avoid and adjust a little bit when it comes to fatty and fried food, especially in Ramadan. We have to add more juices to our diet.”
Asked about the term “organic,” El Sayed replied simply that everything planted is organic. “We don’t have genetically engineered food in the region and we don’t have measurement for organic plants.
“My best meal that I like from my wife’s hands is 'Kushari' (Egyptian traditional meal made of lentils, rice, pasta and different sauces with chilies). I eat everything but it depends on the time. In summer, fruits, vegetables, white meat and fish are the best.”
El Sayed also advised mothers to treat children kindly during Ramadan and keep in mind that they should not wait or suffer because the whole family is fasting. Then when it is the first time for them to fast, mothers should reward children by cooking their favorite foods. They must also make Suhour a fun time for children who are starting their fast.
El Sayed also said one of the simple dietary tips is to take advantage of Ramadan because everyone is already controling their eating habits, while after the fasting month is the best time to go on a diet.
Chef Osama hosts two TV shows, “Ma’a Osama Atyab” or “It’s delicious with Osama” on Dubai TV, and “Bilhanna Wal Shiffa. He also writes a syndicated column that appears in magazines all over the Middle East.
Defining his style of cooking as "Nouvelle Mediterranean Cuisine," Chef Osama continues his mastery of numerous other cuisines. He manages to find time to teach cookery to children, donate his talents to worthy charitable events, and be an active member of the Capital Chapter of the American Culinary Federation.
