Emirati entrepreneur Hamaam Al Falasi's baking and dessert project was born from warm memories. She carried her grandmother's recipe in her heart and combined it with her passion to create a unique project. The project started from a small home kitchen and still maintains its homey spirit, as Hamaam believes that the warmth born within the walls of a home cannot be replicated anywhere else. Hamaam Al Falasi shared that her love for cooking and baking led her to start her own project after trying out employment. The project started entirely from home and still maintains that character. She chose to stay close to her children and balanced work with their upbringing. She stated that the state's support for home projects was a key factor in her success. She began with baking, and her mother-in-law asked about types of cookies that were previously imported from abroad. Her grandmother told her how they drew inspiration and went to Deira market to get warm and delicious pastries. Hamaam recalls the smell of bread her mother baked every morning. This smell would wake her up on cold winter mornings before school. For her, it was not just food, but something that warmed the soul. These moments instilled in her a love for bread and a connection to a beautiful past when the family gathered at one table. She emphasized that Emirati projects should reflect heritage, civilization, and culture, as well as the diverse cultures that have come together in Dubai. She presented a variety of baked goods, still uses the original recipe, but added modern touches like jam, cocoa, dates, pistachios, and almond flour. Some recipes were inspired by pastries she tasted around the world. A success story is never without challenges. As a home project owner, one must be ready to work around the clock. Customers don't know that baking equipment needs weekly cleaning and sanitization, and a day off each week is necessary. This is compounded by a limited customer base compared to projects with commercial premises. However, there has recently been a high demand for everything made at home and a return to traditional dishes over restaurants. Late last year, Hamaam participated in the 'Emirati House' exhibition at the UAE Embassy in China as part of the Sheikh Zayed Charity Marathon. This was an important international experience where she sold a lot of 'Piti For', especially those stuffed with dates. She thanked the state for its support at the exhibition and for inviting her to explore China and import opportunities under the 'Emirati Businesswomen' program. Chinese businesswomen expressed their amazement at the level of success of Emirati women. For two consecutive years, Hamaam participated in Global Village with the support of the Ministry of Community. This brought her many benefits in terms of connecting with customers, listening to their requests, and dealing with various crises. During these two years, she won a food safety award, which raised her excellence bar. Regarding the emergence of many Emirati female chefs, Hamaam sees this as a positive phenomenon that fosters complete competitiveness and turns them into ambassadors of the country at dining tables. She advises young entrepreneurs not to compromise on quality and to carefully select the best raw materials, as this affects the final taste of the product. A good reputation is more important than profits. Among her future plans is obtaining a diploma in culinary arts and baking. She has attended many courses, including a successful course by Kuwaiti chef Sara Al Khatib. She asserts that studying will strengthen her project, especially since she taught herself through her mistakes. Baking and dessert recipes require precision, and ingredients are measured in grams. Hamaam Al Falasi advises young owners of new projects not to sacrifice quality and to choose the best types of raw materials. She offers a variety of baked goods but still uses the original recipe, adding only a few modern touches. She chose to stay close to her children, balancing work with their upbringing. In Hamaam Al Falasi's opinion, our projects should reflect our heritage and local environment, as well as the diverse cultures that have come together in Dubai.
