Arva Ahmed takes Dubai's food stories from streets to screens with OSN and ‘Ditch the Silver'
For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle
Launched in late 2023 in collaboration with Ti22 Films, 'Ditch the Silver' shines a light on food cultures that thrive away from the city's fine-dining glare.
'We're not trying to go viral, but we're just trying to document the food stories the way they are,' said Ahmed in an interview with Arab News. These stories range from Ethiopian vegan fasting platters to why Dubai is a contender for the world's number one bread city.
A post shared by Arva Ahmed (@arva.ahmed)
The OSN series, filmed over an intense three weeks, dives deeper into those narratives. In the process, Ahmed has witnessed a shift in Dubai's dining scene: High-powered chefs leaving corporate hotel kitchens to open intimate, accessible eateries. She points to a former Cantonese hotel chef now serving an expanded menu in Oud Metha, an Italian chef experimenting with fermented date fiber and a Moroccan cook inspired by his grandmother. 'Luxury food is becoming accessible without losing authenticity,' she said.
Ahmed's route to the screen was not straightforward. The daughter of Indian immigrants, she grew up in Deira with humble, frugal parents who valued simplicity over show. After an MBA in the US and a career as a strategy consultant, she returned to Dubai to join her father's business — but a growing love for food, nurtured during her student years abroad, kept pulling her away.
A post shared by Frying Pan Adventures (@fryingpanadventures)
Raised on her nutritionist mother's home-cooked Indian meals, Ahmed only began to think seriously about food when she moved overseas. She learned to cook with a roommate, ran a small Indian takeout service and discovered that feeding people helped her connect beyond her usual circles. That curiosity deepened in New York City and Houston, where she sought out small, authentic eateries over flashy venues.
In 2012, unable to ignore her passion, Ahmed launched Frying Pan Adventures, offering walking food tours through Dubai's lesser-known neighborhoods. But by 2023, she felt she had plateaued. An invitation from Ti22 Films' founder Reem Al-Marzouqi to join an on-air presenters' boot camp changed her perspective.
'I'd always dreamed of a TV food show, but I was waiting for someone to hand it to me on a silver platter,' said Ahmed. 'The boot camp made me realize that dream wasn't relevant anymore — YouTube had democratised content, and I had to take ownership.'
The answer was 'Ditch the Silver': A weekly video series built like a miniature food tour, each episode tying together multiple restaurants with a thematic thread. It has taken Ahmed beyond the set routes of her walking tours, forcing her to explore new corners of the country and uncover under-told stories.
Her recommendations for GCC visitors reflect that ethos. She points to Laki, a small Safa eatery run by Chef Mary and Chef Mae ('the food's full of love — just be patient with the air conditioning'); Yin Kigi, the Cantonese gem in Oud Metha; and Moto Moto, an Omani-inspired food truck in Al-Khawaneej serving mishkak skewers and slow-cooked shuwa from the owners' home garden.
For Ahmed, whether she is guiding a tour group or presenting to camera, the mission is the same: To celebrate the many food cultures that call Dubai home. 'It's an incredible time where some of these stories are popping off, and you need to kind of celebrate them, because it's really hard right now to get your voice heard in a market that's so saturated,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
How Saudi Arabia's self-driving push is transforming transport, fueling Vision 2030's smart mobility goals
RIYADH: From self-driving cars to autonomous delivery robots, Saudi Arabia is accelerating toward the next generation of AI-driven transport. The year 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark period for autonomous mobility in the Kingdom, as the country builds partnerships and infrastructure for a cutting-edge logistics ecosystem. This drive toward self-driving technology is central to the broader transformation under Vision 2030 — reshaping how goods and people move across Riyadh and beyond. The shift aligns with the Transport General Authority's land transport strategy, which aims for 25 percent of goods vehicles to be autonomous by 2030. In July 2025, Transport and Logistic Services Minister Saleh Al-Jasser launched a pilot of WeRide's Robotaxi in Riyadh — a milestone for developing a smart, safe transportation network. 'The expansion into Saudi Arabia is a major step in WeRide's global expansion plan with a vision for safer, smarter transportation at scale,' Ryan Zhan, regional general manager for the Middle East and Africa at WeRide, told Arab News. 'The entry enables WeRide to scale Robotaxi services and unlock new commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia,' he said. Robotaxi received the Kingdom's first autonomous driving permit. With 104 million public transport users and 349 million intercity bus passengers annually, demand for mobility solutions is high. Ride-hailing trips rose 26 percent and delivery app orders 27 percent from 2023 to 2024, topping 290 million. WeRide's Robotaxis and Robobuses are the latest additions to this evolving sector. The pilot, run with Uber and local partner AiDriver, operates between King Khalid International Airport and central Riyadh. 'The Initial Operational Phase of Autonomous Vehicles initiative aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy and supports Saudi Vision 2030 in embracing sustainable mobility solutions powered by artificial intelligence,' said Zhan. 'Saudi Arabia is the Middle East's largest economy and has been accelerating efforts under Vision 2030 to diversify into high-growth sectors. 'With its tourism sector alone projected to reach $110.1 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent from 2024, WeRide's Robotaxis and Robobuses support the Kingdom's push to develop a smart, sustainable transport infrastructure for both residents and the rising influx of visitors.' Globally, the AI market is expected to grow from $189 billion in 2023 to $4.8 trillion by 2033, according to UN Trade and Development. WeRide was the first AV company to complete the Transport General Authority's Regulatory Sandbox for autonomous piloting. 'WeRide is not just deploying technology. We're participating in the local transportation ecosystem, creating jobs in fleet management, maintenance, and customer service, while helping address urban mobility challenges,' said Zhan. Partnerships that have underpinned the project include those with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver. Meanwhile, food delivery is getting its own autonomous upgrade. Jahez and ROSHN Group have launched the first fully autonomous Level 4 delivery robot in Riyadh's ROSHN Front Business Area. Five robots, equipped with over 20 sensors, six cameras, GPS, and climate-specific cooling, now operate there during working hours. 'Part of our strategy is to always optimize on automation, and this is part of the automation. To be innovative, we chose to optimize in our key pillar, which is logistics,' Mohammed Al-Barrak, Jahez's chief technology officer, told Arab News. 'So we decided to go with the autonomous delivery. And this is part of many upcoming technologies that will help with the automation of delivery, like within gated communities.' To prepare for this shift, the Roads General Authority has issued a Self-Driving Vehicles code, requiring smart road communication devices to relay real-time traffic and road data directly to autonomous systems. With strong investment and clear regulation, Saudi Arabia is well-placed to lead the autonomous vehicle transformation.
Arab News
8 hours ago
- Arab News
URX: The cultural movement amplifying underrated DJs in Saudi Arabia
Underrated X Community — URX — is a cultural movement that was born in Saudi Arabia with a mission to redefine how the region sees electronic music and underground talent. Founded in late 2023 in Riyadh, URX was established to spotlight the often-overlooked DJs, producers and visual artists in the Kingdom and wider region. Founders DJ Frozen (Sohaib Al-Borno) and DJ Mazo (Mohannad Reziqat) envisioned a homegrown ecosystem that supports emerging artists through events, collaborations and mentorship. 'We aim to support local talents and bring underrated DJs and electronic musicians into the spotlight,' Al-Borno told Arab News. 'There's a wealth of creativity in Saudi Arabia, but what's missing is visibility and access. That's where URX comes in. 'URX stands for Underrated X. The 'X' symbolizes the unknown, the future and the collaboration between disciplines,' Reziqat said. The two founders have spent years embedded in the Kingdom's evolving creative scene. Their collaborative mindset is reflected in the spaces they use; from Riyadh's The Warehouse and Merwas Studios to regional hotspots in Bahrain and Jordan, URX prefers to use what they see as authentic, immersive venues. 'We believe in opening doors,' Reziqat said. URX's events are 'about the story, the energy, and the people who show up. It's about creating a space where talent meets opportunity. 'Every URX edition is a platform to experiment,' he said. 'We work closely with filmmakers, designers and visual artists to elevate every event beyond music. 'We started with URX. The video they made for us, the attention to detail, the quality, the filming … that's what helped us rise in the scene. I truly want to thank them,' said a Riyadh-based DJ who goes by the name Immortal. Since its debut event in 2024, URX's influence has grown steadily, supported by a loyal following of artists and music lovers. They recently collaborated with PUBLIC restaurant in Riyadh, on July 27. 'The PUBLIC x URX night was electric,' Al-Borno said. 'It was one of those rare moments where everything clicked — the crowd, the music, the space. It confirmed that there's a real hunger for this kind of experience.' URX also works to develop its artists, offering mentorship, production support and publicity. 'It's about who has something to say and giving them the tools to say it,' Al-Borno said. 'We're laying the foundation for the next decade of Saudi creativity,' Reziqat said. 'And that means investing in artists early, guiding them, and celebrating their uniqueness.' URX is part of a larger cultural awakening in the Kingdom, aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which promotes creative industries and youth empowerment. But while policy is top-down, URX is proudly grassroots, born from a genuine passion for local culture and artistic freedom. 'We're building what we want to see,' Al-Borno said. 'There's power in being underestimated,' Reziqat said. 'That's the spirit of URX. We take what's overlooked and make it unforgettable.' As they prepare for future events, regional tours and international collaborations, URX remains committed to its mission — uplifting the underrated, creating unforgettable experiences and connecting Saudi Arabia's artistic energy with the world.
Arab News
11 hours ago
- Arab News
REVIEW: ‘Wednesday' season 2 is too crowded for its own good
DUBAI: Jenna Ortega once again knocks it out of the mausoleum in 'Wednesday' season two, but the first four episodes suggest her scene-stealing brilliance will have to fight harder for attention this time around. The macabre Netflix hit returns with Ortega once again in razor-sharp form as the morbidly deadpan Wednesday Addams, but a crowded ensemble keeps her from shining the way she did in season one. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ After saving Nevermore Academy last time out, Wednesday returns to the school as an unlikely hero. The spotlight is, understandably, a curse in her book, and Ortega leans into that discomfort with precision, delivering barbed quips and withering looks a mile a minute. But this time, she's not the only one taking up valuable screen space. Her younger brother Pugsley (now a Nevermore student too) arrives with his own chaotic subplots, including grisly pranks, dubious alliances, and a knack for attracting trouble. To make matters worse, Wednesday's mother Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones, chewing every gothic inch of the scenery) takes up residence at the school, resulting in some frosty mother-daughter showdowns. As if familial entanglements weren't enough, a fresh murder-mystery unravels, this time involving a spate of killings carried out by murderous crows. It's a case tailor-made for Wednesday, but some trouble with her powers means she's not at 100 percent. Wait, it doesn't end there. Wednesday also has a new stalker on campus. And whoever they might be, they also control the murderous crows. If all this weren't enough, Wednesday also has a vision about her best friend Enid's (Emma Myers) impending death, a vision she's now fighting to prove wrong with everything she has. All in all, the narrative feels more scattered than in the first season. The introduction of new side characters and expanded arcs for returning ones make the Nevermore halls feel crowded, occasionally slowing the pace. Ortega is still magnetic, but in episodes with multiple competing storylines, the show loses some of its bite. However, if the latter half of the season narrows its focus, season two could yet match season one's haunting charm.
