Abu Dhabi Stories

When Steve Harvey sat down with Ayesha Alobaidli, he was not expecting a 15-year-old to speak about cooking with such maturity and vision. For her, the kitchen is more than a place to prepare meals. It is a creative space where art, culture, and tradition come together.

Her journey started when she could barely reach the countertop. Today, she is reshaping Emirati cuisine, striking a delicate balance between heritage and innovation.

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From a Small Kitchen Stool to Culinary Innovation

Cooking has been part of Ayesha’s life for as long as she can remember. As a child, she would stand on a stool beside her mother, carefully observing every step and tasting each ingredient.

Curiosity turned into skill as she learned to understand spices, master flavor combinations, and create dishes infused with her unique touch.

When Steve Harvey asked her age, he could hardly believe she was only 15. When she confidently told him she could cook anything, his surprise turned into laughter as he asked, "Who let you be a chef at this age?"

A Defining Moment with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid

One of the biggest milestones in her journey was cooking at the 2023 World Government Summit, where she presented her dishes to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It was a defining moment that reassured her she was on the right path, proving that Emirati cuisine, when innovatively reimagined, could stand alongside the world’s finest culinary traditions.

A Flavorful Surprise for Steve Harvey

During their meeting, Ayesha introduced Steve to boubber, a type of squash commonly used in Emirati cuisine. He was caught off guard by the unexpected balance of sweetness and saltiness. Laughing, he accused her of tricking him, but he could not hide his admiration for the unique flavor.

A Future Driven by Ambition

From standing on a kitchen stool beside her mother to serving her dishes to world leaders, Ayesha Alobaidli’s journey is just beginning. She is not just reinventing traditional recipes. She is redefining the way Emirati cuisine is perceived globally.

As for her restaurant? She told Steve Harvey, "Before I turn 18."

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Food as art, the kitchen as a canvas

For Ayesha, cooking is a form of artistic expression. Just as paintings in the Louvre Abu Dhabi inspire creativity, so do the dishes she creates. She believes that food, much like visual art, has the power to tell stories and communicate culture in unexpected ways.

A New Take on Emirati Cuisine

Ayesha is not bound by tradition. She blends local flavours with global influences, reinterpreting Emirati dishes with modern techniques. When Steve Harvey asked if she focused solely on traditional cuisine, she responded confidently, "I love fusing Emirati flavors with elements from other cultures."

For her, every dish is a story told through ingredients, techniques, and presentation.

Beyond the Kitchen: A Vision for The Future

When Steve asked about her future ambitions, she did not hesitate. "I want to open a culinary school, launch my own restaurant, and earn a Michelin star." She even had a financial plan in mind.

And when Steve jokingly asked if her father was ready to invest, she laughed. "He keeps trying to change the subject!" Instead of waiting for support, she is funding her dream by working at events and building her own income.

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