Kitchen Sessions: Mindful Eating in Ramadan—Reducing Waste, Honoring Resources

Ola Kayal is a Saudi chef and the founder of "Nabati", a brand specializing in healthy, eco-friendly food. Her passion for cooking began in childhood, experimenting with desserts and selling them to friends and family as a teenager. Despite her love for culinary arts, she first pursued a degree in Business Administration in Switzerland before following her true calling at the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland. She trained under renowned chefs in prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants across Sweden, Mexico, China, and Switzerland.

The concept of "Nabati" emerged during her studies when she developed a vegan, sugar-free, and preservative-free ice cream as part of an academic project. In 2019, she launched her brand in Miami, USA, before returning to Saudi Arabia after 15 years to promote a local shift toward healthier eating habits.

Ola aims to challenge the misconception that healthy food lacks flavor. Her products, including vegan brownies, cookies, and cashew-coconut ice cream, have gained popularity. Currently, she is working on opening Nabati’s first branch in Jeddah, with long-term goals of expanding across Saudi Arabia and establishing a farm to source natural ingredients for her culinary creations.