Badr Zuhair Fayez, board member at the Saudi Culinary Arts Authority

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Updated 02 August 2020
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Badr Zuhair Fayez, board member at the Saudi Culinary Arts Authority

Badr Zuhair Fayez is a Saudi chef and businessman with an extensive history of working in the food and beverage industry.

Fayez was recently appointed as a board member of the Culinary Arts Authority headed by chef Mayada Badr.

He was selected by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.

Fayez has contributed to the establishment of several creative businesses in the food industry in Saudi Arabia and abroad.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts and an MBA in marketing from the College of Culinary Arts at the Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island. He also holds a degree from Le Cordon Bleu institute in basic cuisine.

Fayez gained experience abroad with an internship at the Grand Hotel in Vienna, by working as a pastry chef in Italy, and through spending time shadowing chefs during a culinary expedition in Southeast Asia.

He then returned to his home town Jeddah, aiming to introduce revolutionary concepts to the local food industry, and opened multiple restaurants and a bakery there.

In March this year, he partnered with Adlah Al-Sharhan, a celebrity chef from Kuwait, to launch Bowlila in Los Angeles, US.

Bowlila is a brand built around chickpeas as a healthy and low-carb protein, introducing a new bowl concept that taps into the plant-based, low carb fast-food movement.

Fayez is a partner and CEO of Badr Fayez Catering Co. and Midwam Edutainment. Both are based in Jeddah. His catering company’s focus is to develop an innovative perception of food and elevate Saudi cuisine.

He is also a member of the international advisory board at the Saudi Culinary Academy.

Fayez has made many appearances on live cooking shows and is former Top Chef, Master Chef Arabia judge.

His latest appearances were on the “Dabbir Aklek” show, which is the Arabic version of a BBC action-adventure cooking contest titled “No Kitchen Required,” in 2018.

The series takes five prominent chefs from the Arab world out of their comfort zones and drops them into remote areas around the world where they have to work together with locals to hunt, gather and cook meals using traditional methods.


Saudi scouts volunteer 11,800 hours in first 10 days of Ramadan

Updated 12 March 2025
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Saudi scouts volunteer 11,800 hours in first 10 days of Ramadan

  • Camp leader says it plays a vital role in promoting volunteerism and a positive image of the Saudi youth

MAKKAH: Makkah’s young scouts at the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association volunteered 11,800 hours during the first 10 days of Ramadan.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Makkah Department, the association’s pilgrim service camp deployed 295 scouts to assist Umrah performers in Makkah during Ramadan.

Ziyad Qadeer, the camp leader, said the camp plays a vital role in promoting volunteerism, patriotism, and a positive image of the Saudi youth, confirming that their services will continue throughout Ramadan.

The camp also collaborated with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, the Makkah Health Cluster, and the General Directorate of Public Security.


Facilities Security Forces chief inspects Haramain train stations to ensure Umrah pilgrims' safety

Updated 12 March 2025
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Facilities Security Forces chief inspects Haramain train stations to ensure Umrah pilgrims' safety

  • Haramain High Speed Railway connects Makkah to Madinah
  • Staff outline security measures to create a safe environment for pilgrims

MAKKAH: The commander of Saudi Arabia’s Facilities Security Forces, Maj. Gen. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Moghaisseb, inspected transportation sites in Makkah as part of efforts to ensure the safety and security of visitors and Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan.

Al-Moghaisseb visited the command and control centers, halls, and yards of the Haramain High Speed Railway, which connects the holy city of Makkah to Madinah.

Staff briefed the FSF commander on security measures implemented at the Haramain train stations to create a safe environment for visitors and Umrah pilgrims.

The commander conveyed the greetings of Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif to FSF staff for the month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Saudi hospital performs robotic spinal, pelvic surgery

Updated 12 March 2025
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Saudi hospital performs robotic spinal, pelvic surgery

  • KFHU performed complex robotic surgery to stabilize spinal and pelvic fractures in a patient injured in a motor vehicle accident
  • Achievement underscores the hospital’s commitment to advanced medical technologies and AI integration, enhancing safety, accuracy and innovation

RIYADH: King Fahd University Hospital has successfully performed a complex robotic surgery to stabilize spinal and pelvic fractures in a patient injured in a motor vehicle accident.

The hospital is part of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University’s Academic Medical City in Alkhobar.

The hospital highlighted that the Saudi medical team used robotic surgery to reduce complications and speed up recovery, thereby improving healthcare quality, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The achievement underscores the hospital’s commitment to advanced medical technologies and AI integration, enhancing safety, accuracy and innovation, the SPA added.

In January, King Fahd University Hospital’s Heart Center achieved significant breakthroughs in treating heart and lung conditions.

The center pioneered balloon pulmonary angioplasty, a groundbreaking treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, marking a first for the Eastern Province.

During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through a vein to reach narrowed or blocked pulmonary arteries. A small balloon is then inflated to widen the vessels and restore normal blood flow.

This technique improves blood oxygen levels, reduces pulmonary artery pressure, enhances heart function and significantly elevates quality of life, according to the SPA.


Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

Updated 12 March 2025
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Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

  • Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested five Ethiopians for smuggling 100 kg of qat

RIYADH: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests and seizures across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested five Ethiopians for smuggling 100 kg of qat.

In the Al-Dayer governorate of the Jazan region, authorities arrested three Yemenis and Ethiopians for smuggling 90 kg of qat.

In another seizure, land patrols thwarted the smuggling of 59,210 tablets subject to medical circulation regulations in the same governorate.

Authorities in Jazan also arrested a citizen for selling methamphetamine, also known as shabu.

Preliminary legal procedures were completed and all seized items were transferred to the relevant authorities.

Authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.

Reports can also be submitted, in strict confidence, to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.


Saudi project restores authenticity to Najran’s historical mosque

Updated 12 March 2025
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Saudi project restores authenticity to Najran’s historical mosque

  • The project aims to correct previous renovations that introduced non-authentic materials, restoring the mosque to its original heritage style
  • Built in 1966, the mosque spans 1,436 sq. meters and accommodates 1,000 worshippers

RIYADH: Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam Mosque, located near the historic Emirate Palace in Najran, is undergoing restoration as part of the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.

The project aims to correct previous renovations that introduced non-authentic materials, restoring the mosque to its original heritage style, reflective of the Najran region, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Built in 1966, the mosque spans 1,436 sq. meters and accommodates 1,000 worshippers, the SPA added.

Its construction follows traditional methods, featuring horizontal courses and roofing made from wood extracted from palm trunks, fronds, and tamarisk trees.

The restoration will use the same natural materials as the original construction, preserving the distinctive architectural character of Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam Mosque — the first mosque in Najran’s old popular market area.

It is one of 30 mosques across 13 regions included in the project’s second phase, which covers six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf, and Jazan, and one each in the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail, and Qassim.

Phase two follows the successful completion of phase one in 2018, which restored 30 mosques in 10 regions, the SPA reported.

The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving their heritage and historical features.

Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.

The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving their architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing their religious and cultural significance.

It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by preserving architectural heritage and integrating it into modern mosque designs.