Latest news with #Seif
CairoScene
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Khufu's Wins Global ‘Resy One to Watch' Award
Khufu's Wins Global 'Resy One to Watch' Award Khufu's — a fine dining concept serving reimagined local cuisine beside the Great Pyramid — has become the first Egyptian restaurant to win the prestigious Resy One To Watch Award. In an exclusive interview with SceneEats in 2022, Giovanni Bolandrini, founder of the Pier 88 Group – the pioneering hospitality powerhouse that brought Khufu's to life – said, 'My dream is to have Khufu's and the 'Egyptian Kitchen' recognised around the world.' In the intervening years, what once seemed like an outlandish dream has become a reality. Perched at the edge of the Giza Plateau, with one of the most monumental views in the world, Khufu's has been awarded the 2025 Resy One To Watch Award — a prestigious honour from The World's 50 Best Restaurants that signals the rise of a future heavyweight on the global fine dining stage. It marks the first time an Egyptian restaurant — homegrown and proudly Egyptian in both concept and cuisine — has claimed this international distinction. Beyond the ranking, this is a recognition that Egyptian food — in all its history and heart — can hold its own among the world's most elite kitchens, and do so on its own terms, in its own city, against the skyline of its own past. 'When we opened Khufu's beneath the Great Pyramid, it was more than a restaurant — it was a tribute to Egyptian soul, a celebration of heritage through world-class hospitality,' Bolandrini told us this morning, hours after the news broke. 'This award isn't just a recognition of our journey; it's a sign that Egyptian cuisine and storytelling belong on the global stage. I hope this moment inspires a new generation to believe that excellence can begin at home — and reach the world.' At the helm of Khufu's kitchen is Mostafa Seif, one of the most significant culinary figures to emerge from the region in the last decade. A Top Chef Middle East winner and a key voice in what is now being dubbed New Egyptian Cuisine, Seif's culinary imaginings have seen him reinterpret Egyptian favourites in myriad unexpected and wonderful ways — from his signature koshari with delicate, layered umami to smoked beef mu'ammar rice that's as technical as it is soulful. His work fuses precision with memory. 'Khufu's is proof that Egypt can deliver fine dining with vision, discipline and authenticity,' Seif told us, the emotion audible in his voice. 'We are not serving food under the pyramids — we are serving history, emotion and pride on a plate.' The award comes shortly after Khufu's was named the Best Restaurant in Egypt and placed No. 4 on MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list — an ascent that speaks to both the restaurant's artistic ambition and the growing appetite for contemporary local culinary narratives. But perhaps what's most compelling is that the Resy One To Watch acts as a kind of forecast — a nod to what's coming. And what's coming — if Khufu's has anything to do with it — is a new chapter for Egyptian dining: one that honours where we've been, and finally invites the world to the table.
Identity
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Identity
Seif vs. Ali: Is It Innocent Romance or Cheating in Kamel El Adad++?
If you've watched the last two episodes of Kamel El Adad++, you probably noticed the drama heating up. The show never fails to tackle important social and family issues, and this time, it's giving us a closer look at Farida, played by Lina Sophia. It turns out this season she might be a little too interested in someone who is not her almost-official fiancé, Seif, played by Youssef Gabriel. Enter Ali, played by Youssef Omar, and suddenly, people are loving their dynamic. Cute? Maybe. But let's be real—this is textbook cheating. Somehow, the narrative at first glance made it look romantic, and honestly, that's where things get a little messy. Because no matter how you spin it, there is nothing cute about betrayal. We're not taking this too seriously, but let's be real—as invested as we are in this fictional (yet weirdly real) family, it's important to draw the line when it comes to relationships. Lately, it feels like the new generation is blurring the definitions of romance. Well, that's a bit concerning. There's no 'Seif vs. Ali' competition here. As much as we love Farida, let's call it what it is—sneaking around, lying, and choosing to be with someone else when you're already in a relationship is called cheating and nothing else. And while the storyline seems to be steering her back in the right direction in the upcoming episodes, we can all agree and say that you should be officially Team Seif, right?
CairoScene
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Khufu's Mostafa Seif Wins Best Chef's 'Skillet of Distinction' Award
This marks the first time an Egyptian chef has won this award. May 22, 2025 Chef Mostafa Seif of Khufu's has been awarded the Skillet of Distinction by The Best Chef Awards, becoming the first Egyptian chef to receive the accolade. The award follows Seif's recognition last year as the first Egyptian to earn a one-knife 'Excellent' rating under the awards' updated tiered system. The Best Chef Awards, which moved away from its traditional top-100 ranking in 2023, now recognises chefs through one, two, or three 'knives,' denoting levels of excellence. Seif's one-knife placement in Dubai was the first for an Egyptian chef and signalled growing international attention to his work. At Khufu's - founded by Pier 88 Hospitality's Giovanni Bolandrini - Seif leads a kitchen grounded in technical discipline and regionally sourced ingredients. His cooking is rooted in Egyptian culinary traditions but avoids nostalgia or showmanship, favouring clarified broths, cured seafood, and slow-roasted meats that reflect a restrained, detail-oriented approach. In January, Seif participated in The World's 50 Best Signature Sessions in Abu Dhabi, where he co-hosted a dinner with Argentinian chef Sergio Cabrera at MouzMari. He also joined 50 Best Talks for a panel titled Memory on a Plate, exploring the role of food in cultural and personal memory. The Skillet of Distinction acknowledges Seif's consistency in the kitchen and his contribution to platforming Egyptian cuisine in international settings - through technique rather than adaptation.
Identity
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Identity
5 Love Triangles That Have Everyone Talking This Ramadan
As we reach the halfway point of the Ramadan drama marathon, it's time to look back at the standout characters and unforgettable moments that had everyone talking. This year, love stories took center stage—but with a twist. Instead of simple romances, tangled love triangles have been dominating the conversation, keeping audiences hooked with every new episode. Here are five of the most talked-about ones from the past two weeks. Farida, Seif & Aly This one has taken over everyone's feed! The endless debate over Seif, the good guy, versus Aly, the cool bad boy, and who's the better match for Farida is everywhere. No doubt, this is one of the season's most talked-about love triangles. Molly, Hussien & Mansour It looks like we're in for a seriously intense and complicated storyline. Molly finds herself undecided between Hussein, who clearly has her attention, and Mansour, with whom she has a long-term, stable relationship. But who will she choose? We'll have to wait and see! Leil, Youssef & Faris This one is definitely intense. With hints sprinkled throughout the narrative, many are expecting Leil to end up with Faris after divorcing his brother—making this love triangle one of the most dramatic and heated ones yet. El Garhy, Fatheya, Amna These two women are the final candidates for El Garhy's heart. Between his wife and his old love interest, who will he ultimately choose to spend his life with? Mayar, Ezzat & Asaad Another love triangle that's been complicated from the start—even before a third person entered the picture. Mayar is clearly torn between her family, her ex-husband, and the feelings she's quickly developing for Mohamed Ezzat, leaving us wondering where her love life is headed next.
CairoScene
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Seif Mrdeny & Riff's ‘Zaman El Fan El Gameel' Is a Shaabi Chaos
Seif Mrdeny & Riff's 'Zaman El Fan El Gameel' Is a Shaabi Chaos The EP firmly establishes Seif Mrdeny not only as a versatile artist to watch but as one with a strong calculated vision. Egyptian rising hip-hop/shaabi talent Seif Mrdeny has been making steady moves in recent months. Since his debut EP in 2024, Seif has been maturing artistically at an impressive pace. While 'Welad Khalti' felt a bit half-baked, it featured collaborations from the likes of Mahib Sleat and Riff that added to Seif's eclectic, experimental, and often over-the-top vocal deliveries. The beats elevated the EP's overall quality. Seif returns with his favourite producer, Riff, on a new EP 'Zaman El Fan El Gameel' that marks significant artistic growth. This time, he fully embraces a pure shaabi persona across vocal performances, lyrical themes, imagery and aesthetics. Backed by Riff's eclectic production, the duo delivers an EP that could easily be imagined playing at a shaabi Egyptian wedding. Yet, it doesn't overdo the shaabi vibe or lean too heavily into its traditional setting; Riff lays down a dynamic foundation that allows Seif to push his vocal range to the limit. From the very first track, 'Aaah', Seif delivers a performance reminiscent of nabatchy-style singing (think Reda Al Bahrawy), but with a surprising sense of command, as if he has been MCing weddings his entire life. Riff produces a minimal yet dynamic shaabi structure with compressed kick drums and looping mizmar-like horn sections that place Seif's delivery at the forefront. 'Kalb' follows a somewhat similar direction, but here, Riff explodes with a maximalist, head-turning sound that creates a sense of sonic chaos. The stereo bursts with unexpected sonic inserts, keeping the listener on edge. Meanwhile, Seif shifts from melodic shaabi singing to a rap-leaning delivery, spitting bars with wit, charisma and a fast-paced flow, as if racing to keep up with Riff's frenzy-inducing production. The highlight of the EP comes with 'Matfkaresh', where the formula strikes the perfect balance. The production neither overshadows nor underwhelms; instead, it complements Seif's most outstanding vocal performance. His lyrics are personal and reflective, yet irresistibly danceable. As the track progresses, his melodic delivery intensifies, while Riff's unconventional percussion perfectly complements his vocals, showcasing an undeniable chemistry between the two. This chemistry is emphasised midway through the track when Riff offers an instrumental passage, briefly interrupted by Seif dropping Riff's producer tag—'Riff Ya Negm Masr'—before launching back into his intoxicating chorus, 'Wanaaa.' This moment cements Matfkaresh as one of the best shaabi performances in recent years. The EP firmly establishes Seif Mrdeny not only as a versatile artist to watch but as one with a strong, calculated artistic vision reflected in his music, collaborations, image and visuals. Meanwhile, Riff may be the only producer capable of pushing shaabi into uncharted territory. His experimental approach challenges the genre's foundations while expanding its reach, proving his genre-bending ability and exceptional musicality.
