Hassan Al-Ibrahim is a Qatari pilot, who is passionate about cooking. As a pilot he has been flying for 16 years all over the world and during his travels, he makes it a point to visit local restaurants and street food vendors for inspiration. He is always keen to learn something new about cooking and adopt the latest methods or ideas to enhance his skills and create his own signature dishes.
Why did you become a chef?
Hassan: I love food and am passionate about cooking. I am a person who loves to work freely and the places which gives me that level of freedom and satisfaction are my kitchen and of course the sky while I am flying.
According to you what is Qatari cuisine all about?
Authenticity, simplicity and mix of different cultures in one plate.
How did you balance your life both as a chef and a pilot as both professions are totally different from each other?
Because I love what I am doing, I’m committed to it and passionate about it, that’s what helps me to strike a balance between both.
What do you love most about being a chef?
Being a chef, I get the chance to express my love and passion through food, which I cook for my beloved ones.
Which profession is more challenging being a pilot or a chef?
I believe both of them are equally challenging, as I’m a leader in the aircraft as well as in my kitchen and being a leader is a big responsibility, as a pilot or as chef I need to be always ahead of the game.
How did you take up cooking, which is not commonly followed by men in this region?
I strongly believe that I am living with people but not for people in terms of cultures or beliefs. It is all about my passion, I just followed what I love to do and not what others think. Nowadays, things have changed in the region, cooking is no longer a ‘female only’ thing. Passion for cooking has overcome gender stereotypes in the region.
How you feel living your dream of being a successful chef?
I’m very grateful for that, however, I’m still learning, I have a lot to do and more to give. I strongly believe that the best is yet to come, especially now my motivation is life itself or as we call it in Arabic ‘Hayat’, which I really appreciate.
Tell us about your restaurant.
StrEat is based on the street food concept. On my journeys, I always found street food more interesting and innovative. So, I decided to open a restaurant that serve street foods from different countries. And street food reflects my personality as I am more into freestyle cooking. In my restaurant, we concentrate on the quality of food, which reminds you about your culture and traditions. We are always trying to create new recipes. You will not find junk food here but only healthy street food.
Your favourite dish to cook.
Yellow dal with rice.
Your favourite kitchen tool.
My chef knife
Your favourite Qatari food.
Majboos
Your favorite dessert.
Anything that has to do with chocolates, I love chocolate.
Who has been your biggest inspiration.
My mom.
One thing you like about Qatar.
Safe and Homely.
One thing you love about your profession.
Access to different cuisines of the world.
Rida Khan is an aviation author from India.
