In the realm of social media, numerous individuals have seized the opportunity to pursue their passions, and nowhere is this more evident than in the delectable world of online cooking. Platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have become the stage for food enthusiasts to set aside their conventional careers and whip up culinary delights for a global audience. Here, we introduce you to three influential Arab social media stars who've taken the leap into the world of cooking, sharing their stories and the reasons behind their culinary careers.
Initially, Saudi native Jomanah Nasser felt overwhelmed by the sea of online food creators. With time, she “tuned out the noise, stopped comparing, and focused on my unique perspective, eventually finding my niche.”
Nasser, a medical graduate, found solace in cooking during her demanding medical school years. Despite her busy schedule, her passion for content creation ignited immense joy. Leveraging her education at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, she transitioned into nutrition, emphasizing food's vital role in well-being. Boasting 200,000 Instagram followers and her book "Meals Diary," social media played a key role in connecting her with a like-minded community and achieving her goals.
“We only live once and in this life we should work to realize our dreams,” Jordanian Canadian Nasir told Arab News.
@yasmin.nasir هاد الاكلير رح يحسسكم انكم بعقر باريسThis Éclair will make you land into the middle of a Café in Paris #foryou #fyp #explore #yasminnasir #recipe #dessert #french #eclair #tiktokcookbook #professionalcook #recipe #ياسمين_ناصر #اكلير #فرنسي #وصفات #حلويات Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Nasir left a 13-year career in communications and advertising to pursue her culinary passion. She trained at Le Cordon Bleu London, inspired by her lifelong love for cooking. Yasmin's unique ability to recreate dishes from taste alone led her to success, amassing over 700,000 Instagram followers, known for her main meals, jams, desserts, and snacks. Her catchphrase "yallah" resonates, and she even hosted "Yallah Notbokh," her live cooking show, despite COVID-19 challenges.
Syrian food blogger Rula Elias Fonon acknowledged that her online success has been a challenging and demanding journey.
Fonon highlights the importance of seeking support when necessary, realizing that managing a growing online platform requires expertise beyond her culinary skills. Two years ago, she entered into an agreement with the digital marketing company Desitech3, which helped her present her content in a compelling and appealing manner. Today, she boasts 123,000 followers on Facebook, 35,000 on TikTok, and 144,000 on Instagram. Like her social media peers, Rula Elias Fonon is far from finished, continuing to entice and captivate her audience with her culinary creations.
In the online cooking world, these Arab chefs craft unique paths, delight followers with culinary skills, and inspire dream-chasers with dedication and love.
