Latest news with #PersianCuisine
Khaleej Times
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
A Dubai-based art collector channels Audrey Hepburn in her dream home vision
Head of Sotheby's UAE, Katia Nounou Boueiz, came to Dubai in 2015 and is now leading the first GCC outpost of an auction house with nearly 300 years of history under its belt. She gave wknd. an exclusive preview of some of the highlights of her growing art collection at her Jumeirah home, and told us how everyone can become a collector. Katia calls the couple's villa as 'a quintessential LA-style house, right in the middle of Jumeirah'. It has a modern feel, high ceilings and expansive glass windows, as well as big white walls which are perfect for showcasing art. 'We have lots of colourful paintings and ceramic sculptures everywhere throughout. In terms of the furniture, we've made a conscious effort to keep it as minimalist as possible, to let the art take centre stage,' she explained. Katia hosts art collectors from around the world while she cooks up her signature Persian cuisine from her family recipes for as many as 130 guests. Just 38, Katia was born and raised in London but is originally of Iraqi and Iranian heritage. She moved to Dubai together with her husband after they got married in 2015. 'Being surrounded by beautiful paintings for the last 17 years since I started working at Sotheby's will make you into somewhat of a collector,' she told wknd. 'Though my favourite period has to be that of the Impressionists - a little over my budget - my husband and I have slowly started to build a collection over the last 12 years that brings together established and less established contemporary artists from all over the world. 'The first piece that we bought was for our London home, a 1970s piece titled Atom by Turkish artist Hamit Gorele, which we won in a Sotheby's auction. I still absolutely love it.' One of the most exciting purchases the couple have made is a beautiful piece by Latifa Echakhch, which they bought from the Kamel Mennour Gallery. 'She is a very talented Moroccan-French artist who participated in the Venice Biennale in 2011 and won the Duchamp Prize in 2013. This is one of the few paintings both my husband and I fell in love with instantly, we were both 100% sold the moment we saw it.' Sotheby's, founded in London in 1744, and the world's oldest and largest internationally recognised firm of fine art auctioneers, opened its first Dubai-based gallery in 2017. 'While others were focusing on categories such as watches and Middle Eastern art, though we also catered for the best of the best in those fields, my priority was to establish ourselves as the pioneers in bringing masterpieces of international art from different periods, in line with the Louvre Abu Dhabi's boundless approach,' Katia told wknd. 'We showcased Old Masters with Rembrandt, Rubens, Botticelli, Impressionist and Modern Art with Picasso, Kandinsky and Giacometti, and Contemporary including a monumental Mappa by Boetti and a one-of-a-kind collection of Warhol prints.' Since then, the auction house has also presented some incredibly important and rare jewels in the UAE, such as Marie-Antoinette's jewels, including her pearl, as well as major gemstones, such as the 303 carat Golden Canary yellow diamond and the magnificent 55 carat Estrela de Fura ruby. And the company's work in the UAE only keeps growing. In April, Sotheby's held its first public exhibition in Abu Dhabi in 15 years, unveiling $100 million (Dh367 million) of rare diamonds at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation on Saadiyat Island, with two days of sold-out guided tours. Work and home have now become interwoven for Katia, for whom collecting has become a way of life. But it is not only for professionals, she says. 'The first thing I always advise is to establish your own personal style or aesthetic, and consider the overall theme of your home, whether it's more modern, classic or traditional, or eclectic or minimalist. 'You should seek out art that will compliment and enhance your interior. The next most important thing is that the art speaks to you, whether its paintings, photography, sculptures, you should choose pieces that resonate with you and evoke emotions. All of this will enhance your everyday living.' Textures are key to a collection's visual appeal, so varying the art created in different mediums is vital, she said. 'I also highly encourage trying to buy from artists globally - there are so many things out there once you start looking,' she said. Her favourite space in the Jumeirah villa is the main entrance, a true focal point that any guest will have to see. An open space with natural light pouring in, it's a testament to the very personalities at the heart of the home. 'Here you have artworks hung, centred around my favourite piece of furniture, a wooden dining table that is a pretty big statement piece,' she said. 'My second favourite spot would have to be my rooftop, with its gorgeous view of Dubai's iconic skyline, which is where I tend to host all of my big parties,' she added. But contrary to her life of city living from London to Dubai, Katia says that her dream home would be a charming Provençal or country-style house, like the one once owned by Audrey Hepburn in a small village in Switzerland, with a big vegetable and fruit garden. 'This would be a nice contrast to the busy city and beach lifestyle I have between London and Dubai, something I would welcome in the future, when I'm manifesting my retirement plans,' she smiled. 'For inspiration, I look to the likes of Martha Stewart and Amal Clooney, as I love the aesthetic of their interior style. Going through Sotheby's catalogues is also an age-old inspiration, that is all the more easier now its all online. You could spend hours browsing through and seeing how collectors over time have decorated their spaces.' But for now, Dubai remains a huge inspiration, a hub bringing the world to the Middle East in an ever-growing arts and culture scene. 'Dubai is such a dynamic, vibrant and culturally diverse city, which draws influences from all around the world,' she said. 'The city inspires me to appreciate a wide array of styles and aesthetics, encouraging me to blend these various elements into my collection and the work that I do. I find beauty in the fusion of contemporary designs and art mixed with earthy elements, which creates a nice balance. 'By nature of my line of work at Sotheby's, I get to meet so many interesting people from all over the world, and through these experiences and encounters, my taste is ever evolving.'
Forbes
05-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Discover Persian Culture Through Its Desserts
Pastry chef Farshid Hakim. I've always been a fan of Persian food. Ravagh is a restaurant in my neigborhood that's one of my favorite places to eat and serves authentic Persian cuisine. As much as I love the kebabs, rices, and hearty stews, I've never known much about Persian desserts. That changed recently when I was introduced to Farshid Hakim, a dynamic Persian pastry chef who owns La Provence Patisserie & Cafe, a French bakery in Beverly Hills. He opened a second location in Palm Desert last year. I asked him how sweets figure into his Persian roots and influence his sweet creations. I also asked him if he could share a recipe that is easy for novice home cooks to follow and marry Persian and French flavors. Farshid came up with a gorgeous Saffron Crème Brulee with edible rose petals, which is much simpler to pull off than it sounds. Our interview and the recipe follow. I invite you to discover a piece of this fascinating culture by getting into the kitchen and bringing Farshid's creation to life. How does your Persian background play into your career? Studying pastry making in France was everything I dreamed of- immersive, inspiring, and creatively fulfilling. Yet, I've found that my Persian heritage, with its deep-rooted emphasis on hospitality, entrepreneurship, and attention to detail, has shaped my instincts more towards the business side of my career. It's a cultural lens that values aesthetics, relationships, and strategic thinking- all of which naturally inform how I approach the building and running of a business. What is the significance of desserts in the Persian culture? Desserts in Persian culture carry significance far beyond just ending a meal. They are steeped in tradition and hospitality. Offering sweets to guests is a time-honored tradition in Persian homes. Serving tea with shirini (sweets) is a gesture of warmth, generosity, and welcome. Can you name some Persian desserts? Here's a list of traditional Persian desserts that showcase the elegance, flavor balance, and cultural richness of the cuisine. You will find saffron, a key ingredient to Persian sweets, unmatched for it's aroma and golden hue, in many of the following: Sholeh Zard: A fragrant, golden rice pudding with saffron, rosewater, and cardamom. Sohan: A crunchy, saffron-infused toffee candy Zooloubia: a spiraled fritter soaked in saffron and rosewater syrup Halvah: A rich, comforting dessert made from toasted flour, sugar, saffron, and butter How do these desserts reflect Persian culture? These desserts and their ingredients beautifully reflect the essence of Persian cuisine which is rooted in balance, beauty, tradition, and a deep respect for the sensory experience. Persian cuisine aims to balance sweet, sour, warm and cold - not just in taste but in how ingredients affect the body, according to traditional food philosophy "garm/sard" (warm/cold) similar to the Chinese Ying/Yang. Rather than relying on heavy sweetness, Persian desserts are lightly sweetened and perfumed with aromatics like rosewater, cardamom, and saffron. Serving sweets, especially alongside tea is an act of welcoming and honor tied holidays, ceremonies and spiritual rituals. In Summary, Persian desserts embody the broader principles of Persian cuisine: balance, subtlety, seasonality, symbolism and hospitality. Each dish tells a story, not just of ingredients but of worldview that values grace, tradition and the joy of sharing. Any hacks for making the crème brulee as perfect as yours? This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, and if you follow it closely you'll have perfect results with ease. Farshid Hakim's Saffron Crème Brulee with edible rose petals Saffron Crème Brulee with edible rose petals Yield: Six 4-ounce ramekins Ingredients: 1.5 Cups heavy cream 4 large egg yolks ¼ cup sugar, plus more for crispy coating 1 pinch salt 1 pinch of Saffron 1 vanilla bean paste removed A few edible rose petals you can buy at a better market Instructions: -Preheat oven to 300 degrees F and put a few cups of water in it to boil. This will be used for a water bath. -In a pestle and mortar, crush saffron leaves until powdered. Add two tablespoons of boiling water and let sit. -Add egg yolks, sugar, and salt to a bowl and whisk until the yolks break down. -Add heavy cream and vanilla paste to a saucepan over low heat, stir until cream starts to simmer, not boil. -Once the cream is simmering, slowly pour about a fourth of it into the egg yolk mixture while continuing to whisk. This will temper the eggs so they don't curdle. Then add the remaining cream and whisk gently until combined. -Add saffron water to the mix and stir, let cool. -Divide the mixture equally between 6 four-ounce ramekins -Place ramekins inside a larger oven-proof container and carefully add boiling water. Fill enough water so it goes halfway up the height of the ramekins. -Carefully place the container inside the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the crème brulees are set around the edges but still have a wobble in the middle when gently shaken. -Immediately transfer the ramekins to the fridge and cool overnight or for at least 4 hours. -Sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on each ramekin and use a blowtorch to caramelize the sugar. It should become a deep brown color. Hold the torch at a 45-degree angle -Break up some of the rose petals and place them on top of the brulees. -Serve and enjoy
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Where a Persian in Hong Kong eats chicken feet, noodles, dim sum and Peking duck
Ali Ghorbani is a professional photographer, and a social media and Web3 educator. He spoke to Andrew Sun. Advertisement I'm Persian by birth, raised in the UK, France, United States and Hong Kong. Despite eating my way through 30-plus countries, I still believe my mom is one of the world's greatest chefs, blending rich earthy flavours with tons of herbs for a variety of Persian stews. The best word to describe my eating habit is adaptable. Dim Sum Square (LG/F, Tern Centre Tower 2, 78 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, tel: 3521 0868). I have been coming here for years. I love a no-frills, solid dim sum lunch at(LG/F, Tern Centre Tower 2, 78 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, tel: 3521 0868). I have been coming here for years. At peak hours there's always a queue. I love standards like har gow and chicken feet. Foie gras xiaolongbao at Man Mo Dim Sum, in Sheung Wan. Photo: Instagram/manmodimsum Man Mo Dim Sum (Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan). A fusion of East and West, they offer great combinations of flavours. There is also an extensive wine list. Try their five-spice lamb bun, foie gras A more elevated experience is(Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan). A fusion of East and West, they offer great combinations of flavours. There is also an extensive wine list. Try their five-spice lamb bun, foie gras xiaolongbao and truffle Brie. Advertisement A hidden gem for dumplings is Ho Hak Shan Tung (17 Burd Street, Sheung Wan, tel: 2562 0185). Most people don't know about this place, but the family- run shop has some of the city's best dumplings. There's no decor, but the juicy lamb dumplings and beef and celery dumplings are favourites.
