Ruba Khoury reveals how Top Chef transformed her life, strengthened her Palestinian identity and sparked ambitious Gulf expansion plans.
How did Top Chef change you professionally and personally?
Top Chef gave me the confidence I truly needed. It pushed me beyond limits I once thought were impossible to overcome professionally. Through the competition, I proved to myself that I am far more than an ordinary chef. I also discovered my true potential and completely transformed my mindset. Most importantly, the experience taught me resilience, determination and the passion needed to overcome any challenge.
What is motivating you professionally right now?
I currently have several culinary concepts planned for Riyadh. Furthermore, I hope relocating there will help bring these exciting projects to life. Riyadh’s evolving hospitality and dining scene feels highly inspiring. As a result, the city is motivating me creatively while I develop concepts that reflect my personal identity. Long-term, my ambition is to create meaningful culinary experiences. In addition, I aim to establish concepts with a strong regional presence across the GCC.
How do you see Palestinian cuisine evolving on the world stage?
Palestinian cuisine continues to evolve globally. Furthermore, I believe that every emerging chef helps strengthen the Palestinian story through food and cultural representation. Moreover, the cuisine carries history, identity, heritage and emotional ties to the land. Traditional ingredients grown in Palestinian soil have been transformed into recipes that generations have carefully preserved. Consequently, these dishes have become symbols of Palestinian culture around the world. That said, things remain deeply political when it comes to Palestine. I believe the growing global recognition of Palestinian cuisine and chefs will continue to strengthen authentic storytelling through meaningful culinary experiences.
Where do you hope your culinary journey takes you next?
Over the coming years, I hope my work moves closer to the Arab world and helps me reconnect more deeply with regional audiences. One of my main personal goals is to return permanently to the Gulf and establish several distinctive culinary concepts there. I want my future projects to reflect my personality, experiences and cultural influences while also contributing meaningfully to the region’s evolving culinary landscape on an international level.
