Long before it was in vogue to chat about plant-based diets, Matthew Kenney was opening vegan restaurants and selling cookbooks on raw food. The American chef is a pioneer when it comes to healthy living, and is now bringing that passion to Riyadh.
Kenney has found a perfect partner in the capital in the form of HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, also known as the Vegan Prince. They have launched what a one-off dining experience that will now extend beyond Riyadh Season: Folia at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.
Speaking to Time Out Riyadh in November, Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, founder and CEO at KBW Ventures, told us, “Plant-based food is now on-trend everywhere, and Saudis are always keen to try something new, hyped up and cool.
“It’s in our nature to want to try out new cuisines, especially considering that Saudi culture is heavily invested in food and gathering socially around meals.
“I wanted to bring the best to Saudi; if you’re going to try out the highest calibre of plant-based dining then chef Matthew Kenney’s creations are the way to go.”
To find out more, we caught up with Kenney to chat royalty, restaurants and Riyadh.
What are your favourite plates on the Folia menu?
We offer some of our classics, such as cacio e pepe with kelp noodles. I’m also impressed by beetroot “cheve”, along with the tonics and mocktails, such as our spirulina mojito and the basil smash, which incorporates juniper, one of my favourite flavours. Of course, in addition to the Folia menu, we are offering a double zero menu and I am a big fan of our potato pizza (it’s my favourite), and our baked meatballs.
What’s your philosophy? Why plant-based food?
My philosophy is very straightforward – Matthew Kenney Cuisine promotes a whole, plant-based diet without processed ingredients. There is an emphasis on innovation, imagination and to whatever extent possible, utilising the highest quality local and seasonal ingredients.
What do you say to people who are curious about plant-based diets?
We are all pleasure seekers and my decision to become plant-based nearly 20 years ago was not only based on what I believe is best for the future of the planet and its inhabitants, but also from a chef’s viewpoint, what is most inspiring artistically and from a taste perspective. Therefore, I only ask that people try well prepared plant-based options and consider them with an open mind. I really feel that the rest will take care of itself. Plant-based cuisine is vibrant, beautiful and nutritious and as long as we are listening to our body and mind, it becomes clear that it is the best choice and alignes with overall global wellness.
What do you like most about the capital?
While the perception of culture in Saudi Arabia may be that it is slow to adapt to global trends, I see the opposite. The pace of adaptation toward sustainability, technology and innovation is monumental and will have a massive influence on our upcoming
generations.
What has it been like to collaborate with Prince Khaled on Folia?
Prince Khaled and I are aligned in our mission to bring more plant-based cuisine to the world in order to provide healthier food options in a sustainable way. He is a tremendous supporter of the people, companies and groups working to shift the global food paradigm and equally interested in offering these options in his own country. Khaled is not afraid to contradict the norm, which is invaluable when promoting significant change and because of that, he has had a large role in influencing others to be comfortable expressing their values and passion for this new way of living. What impressed me most about him is the time and support he offers to the youth and those that will become the future of plant-based cuisine. He is a gem of a person and will continue to be a major influence in our evolution toward a healthier society.
Folia is open daily 6pm-2am. Al Murabaa, Center Point, 2239 King Fahd Rd, Al Olaya, Arabia, fourseasons.com/riyadh (011 211 5000).
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