Zahra Abdalla is a half-Iranian, half-Sudanese award-winning cookbook author, culinary entrepreneur, and social media influencer whose career bridges cultures and continents. Born in London, she grew up between Khartoum, Riyadh, Vancouver, and London before settling in Dubai, which she has called home for more than two decades.

Her culinary journey began in 2010 with the launch of her online blog, which soon led to hosting her own cooking shows on MBC3 and appearing in the fourth season of Maggi Diaries on MBC1, a food and travel documentary series. Through Maggi Diaries, Zahra traveled across Egypt, India, Spain, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, connecting with pioneering women tackling pressing issues such as food waste, hunger, environmental sustainability, mindfulness, and women’s empowerment.

From her studio in Dubai, Zahra creates contemporary interpretations of traditional Middle Eastern recipes. Drawing inspiration from her multicultural upbringing, regional flavors, and extensive travels, she approaches food as both an artistic medium and a cultural narrative—capable of evoking memory, fostering connection, and creating new traditions. She is also a committed advocate for sustainability and mindfulness in food sourcing, preparation, and consumption.

Zahra has authored two cookbooks, with a third currently in progress. She is the founder of Zahra’s Kitchen, a homegrown UAE frozen food brand and winner of the Spinneys Incubator program.  Today, her products are available through leading regional retailers, including Kibsons, Talabat Mart, Noon Minutes, Secret Fine Foods, Meathouse Gourmet, Butchershop, and Cassinetto.

In addition to her professional achievements, Zahra is a devoted wife and mother of three boys. Beyond the kitchen, she embraces travel, yoga, and interior design as extensions of her creative spirit, weaving them into a broader philosophy of living with intention and beauty.

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