RIYADH: Khuolod Khalid Khan, a talented Saudi pastry student, and chocolatier, has emerged as the winner of the Chocolate Master Challenge held in Switzerland. Khan’s chocolate creation highlighted AlUla’s Hegra, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.
Khan expressed her inspiration, stating, “I was astonished by the massive human and natural heritage of AlUla that makes one feel so small in this big universe.” The competition, organized by the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, had the theme of “Winter Memories.”
Four judges, including two-time Culinary World Cup winner Jorge Cardoso, were invited to select the winner. Khan has previously worked for the Royal Commission of AlUla as a digital strategy consultant and supported a UNESCO campaign that resulted in Saudi Arabia gaining membership in the UN’s educational, scientific, and cultural executive board.
Working for the Royal Commission of AlUla provided Khan with valuable insights into the treasures of the historic city, calling it an “eye-opener.” She aimed to present AlUla’s ancient archaeological site, Hegra, on an international level to showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich history and ancient civilization.
In her chocolate creation, Khan incorporated elements of modern-day activities in AlUla, such as the “Winter at Tantora” festival, represented by a modern winter hat. She also featured the critically endangered Arabian leopard, which is closely linked to AlUla’s ecosystem and conservation efforts.
The judges praised Khan’s creation, noting its elegance, feminine touch, and meticulous techniques. The sculpture portrayed Hegra standing on a layer of “sand,” inspired by artist Jim Denevan’s work, “Desert X AlUla – Angle of Repose.” The flavors of saffron and orange were also incorporated to represent the region.
Ambition of Saudi Arabia’s New Generation
Abdullatif Hermann, a judge and pastry chef at the Culinary Arts Academy, commended Khan’s ability to reflect Saudi culture and history while showcasing the nation’s heritage to the world. He emphasized the ambition of the new Saudi generation to carry their past and present it in the best possible way.
Khan, who started her own chocolate business in 2013, was recently hired by Jorge Cardoso for his brand JC Chocolatier. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work directly with the World Chocolate Champion and learn advanced techniques for chocolate sculptures. Khan plans to bring this knowledge back to Saudi Arabia to expand her chocolate business.
She also expressed nostalgia for her work with Saudi government entities as a consultant in PR, communications, and digital strategy. Khan looks forward to returning to this field and contributing to giga-projects aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Khan is currently pursuing her studies at the Culinary Arts Academy with a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture. She extended her heartfelt thanks to the government of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Culture for their unwavering support and for helping her realize her dreams.
