Syrian Cheesemaker Razan Al-Sous, Founder of Yorkshire Dama Cheese – Gains Royal Approval in the UK

Razan Al-Sous and her husband Raghid Sandouk fled Syria to start a new life in Yorkshire, leaving behind their dream of setting up their own pharmaceutical company but opening up a new entrepreneurial life in the city of Huddersfield.

With the simple idea of making halloumi-style cheese from cows’ milk and launching a best-selling range of Arabian flavoured cheeses, the innovative pair have won more than 30 awards for their product and gained royal approval from Princess Anne.

When they arrived in Yorkshire, Mr Sandouk’s brother let them run his chicken food outlet and it was there the first Yorkshire Dama Squeaky Cheese was created.

Now they have nine flavours in their range, from plain and chilli to black onion seed, rosemary and mint.

The couple recently won their latest award, for their black pepper squeaky cheese.

n 2017 the couple expanded to new premises and were given a royal seal of approval when Princess Anne officially opened their factory in Sowerby Bridge.

Now the couple have been invited to Buckingham Palace.

This month they won yet another award for their Middle Eastern style cheese, Nabulsi, which contains black onion seeds and has now become a bestseller in the UK.

www.yorkshiredamacheese.co.uk

source/content: thenationalnews.com

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Syrian cheese maker Razan Al-Sous. / pix: Ashraf Helmi / The National

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BRITISH / SYRIAN

Wafa Zaiane – TV News Anchor at BBC

Wafa Zaiane. BBC News Anchor. Reporter. Broadcaster

Hosts her own TV show Ana Shahid (Eye Witness)

First/s:

  • First Tunisian News Anchor to appear on the BBC since it began broadcasting more than 75 years ago.

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pix: youtube / showreel 2017

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BRITISH / TUNISIANBRITISH

Majeda Khoury : Chef & Founder – Syrian Sunflower

Majeda Khoury. Chef. Syrian Human rights and Feminist activist.

Syrian migrant, one of her early decisions in London was to join a refugee cooking group run by social enterprise Migrateful. It brings together Londoners and refugees to learn recipes and share a meal.

She gives one or two classes a week, teaching simple but beautiful meals that can be reproduced at home

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pix: anqacollective.org

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UNITED KINGDOM / SYRIAN-BRITISH

Asil Attar – First Female CEO of MENA Fashion Industry Leaders

Asil Attar. Global Fashion and Retail Industry Leader.

First Female CEO of Damas Jewellery (estb. 1907). Damas has a portfolio of over 40 international luxury brands and in-house brands. With 230 stores spread across GCC, it has secured a global trademark.

Asil Attar has worked with some of the world’s leading Department stores and most coveted Brands and Retail groups such as Harrods, Giorgio Armani Group, Coach, Karen Millen, Jigsaw and Majid Al Futtaim etc..

Asil was the CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Fashion, the licensee for Juicy Couture in the Middle East.

This has won her a number of accolades and recognition for her outstanding achievements.

Honours:

  • Forbes ME has placed her as one of the top 100 most Influential Arab Women, 2018 and Top 200 most powerful Arab Women, 2014.
  • Arabian Business awarded her Top Female CEO Kuwait, 2018 and top 100 powerful women, 2012.

www.asilattar.com

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pix: asilattar.com

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UNITED KINGDOM / IRAQI-BRITISH / EUROPEAN ARAB

Nabil Nayal – Fashion Designer

Nabil El-Nayal (aka) Nabil Nayal. Fashion Designer.

Founder , ready-to-wear fashion brand ‘Nabil Nayal’

Education:

  • Ph.D : in Fashion, Manchester Metropolitan University, Fashion Institute
  • Masters – Royal College of Arts
  • B.A. (Hons) – Fashion, Manchester Metropolitan (2008)

Awards/ Honours :

  • Royal Society of Arts Award 2008
  • Graduate Fashion Week ‘Best Womenswear’ Award 2008
  • British Fashion Council MA Scholarship Award – for the Royal College of Arts 2008
  • Crown Paint 2009 (interior design competition)
  • Harrods Launches 2010
  • Fashion Fringe Semi-Finalist 2011
  • LVMH Prize shortlist 2015
  • LVMH Prize finalist 2017
  • BFC Fashion Trust Grant and Mentoring 2019

www.nabilnayal.com

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pix: buro247.me

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UNITED KINGDOM / SYRIAN / BRITISH ARAB