A British-based food influencer and former Master Chef finalist is putting Saudi cuisine firmly on the global culinary map and doing it with heart.
Madeeha Qureshi, known to more than 300,000 followers as @madeeha_eats, is set to release The Red Sea Cookbook on 24 February — the first Saudi-focused cookbook written and published in the Western world.
And this isn’t just a recipe book.
Described as a deeply personal culinary love letter, the debut hardback brings together 100 vibrant dishes celebrating the flavours of Saudi Arabia, from the bustling street food of Jeddah to the elegance of Riyadh’s royal tables, and the coastal traditions of the Red Sea.
But behind the spices and storytelling lies something even more powerful: family.
The book is poignantly dedicated to Madeeha’s late father, Gulzar Ahmed Qureshi, affectionately referred to as “Aba Jan”, whose memory threads through the pages in stories, shared meals and treasured recipes.
Madeeha has built a loyal following for her distinctive approach: recreating authentic Saudi flavours using the best British produce, with sustainability at its core. Her online presence blends cultural storytelling with modern food creativity, winning her fans across the UK and beyond.
Now, she is taking that passion from social media to print.
Speaking about the book, Madeeha describes it as a pinch me moment.
“It’s written in love, with love and for love of the beautiful people of Saudi Arabia and for the man (my late father) who fought for my dreams.” Madeeha shared to her Instagram followers.
“It is a delicious memoir/cookbook of an extraordinary father-daughter bond that stood firm through the test of time. A one of its kind book that should be treasured for life.”
The Red Sea Cookbook promises far more than traditional Middle Eastern staples. It captures the diversity of Saudi cuisine, a food culture often overlooked on the global stage and presents it through Madeeha’s own journey of identity, heritage and belonging.
Shot by award-winning photographer Patricia Niven, the book’s imagery is as rich as its
recipes. Sun-drenched coastlines, bustling markets and intimate family kitchens frame dishes that are generous, comforting and layered with flavour.
For Madeeha, the project is about visibility as much as it is about food.
Saudi cuisine, long underrepresented in mainstream cookery publishing, finally has a modern, narrative-led showcase aimed at Western readers and it comes at a time when global appetites for authentic cultural storytelling are growing.
The hardback is priced at £32 and is available from Monday.
With 100 recipes, deeply personal reflections and a mission to redefine how Saudi food is seen abroad, Madeeha Qureshi isn’t just releasing a cookbook.
She’s making a statement.
