Where We Are Going Today: Harrat restaurant in AlUla

Where We Are Going Today: Harrat restaurant in AlUla

Recipes for success: Chef Pierre Haddad  talks Saudi food scene, cooking for celebrities

DUBAI: Lebanese chef Pierre Haddad is the executive chef at Riyadh’s Via Mercato — a luxury gourmet food hall he joined in March.  

“There is a revolution in the food and beverage market in Saudi Arabia,” he tells Arab News. “I love being part of it. It is booming, and it will boom even more. I wish nothing but the best for this country. We are all here for a mission to always deliver the best of the best for this country.” 

Before joining Via Mercato, Haddad worked in Lebanon, the UAE and Egypt. Along the way, he has served some of the biggest names in sports, including Argentinian soccer superstar Lionel Messi.   

“He is a very humble legend,” Haddad said. “I served him, his mother, his kids and his wife. I was very happy in the moment. I created dishes on the spot for him because he is someone very special to me. It was an unforgettable experience, and I can always mention it to my kids in the future. I am very proud.” 

Perhaps a more daunting challenge was serving virtuoso chef Wolfgang Puck, although Haddad says that Puck