20-year-old UAE baker turns passion into business, wins Ras Al Khaimah Creativity Award

Meera Ebrahim Abdulla AlJamali, founder of Meerana Patisserie, was named the Food and Beverage category winner at the Ras Al Khaimah Creativity Award ceremony, held at Manar Mall as part of the Restaurant Village Festival.

The 20-year-old Emirati entrepreneur highlights how a locally developed business that grew from a childhood interest turned into a viable commercial venture. Her win marked both a personal milestone and the conclusion of the award’s inaugural edition, which was launched to support emerging entrepreneurs in Ras Al Khaimah.

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AlJamali’s interest in baking began at an early age, inspired by watching her mother prepare sweets at home. What started as a hobby gradually developed into a focused ambition. Encouraged by her family, she began selling baked goods to relatives and friends at the age of 12, receiving consistent feedback that motivated her to expand the idea further.

She later launched a commercial Instagram page, through which demand for her products steadily increased. Cookies and carrot cake became her signature items, recipes developed early in her journey and still offered today, while the menu expanded over time to include a broader range of baked goods.

Alongside developing her business, AlJamali continued her education. She is currently studying Marketing at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and has already completed two professional diplomas from the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA). She said her decision to study marketing was driven by a practical consideration. “No matter how much the project grows, I will always be the one marketing it,” she said, noting the importance of understanding both the creative and commercial sides of the business.

AlJamali said one of the most challenging aspects of her journey was balancing her studies with running a business, particularly during her school years. She added that the COVID-19 period, while difficult, allowed her additional time at home to refine her skills and develop new recipes.

AlJamali described winning the award as an emotional and defining moment. She said the achievement represented a significant step toward her long-term goal of opening a physical shop, something she had planned for several years. Professionally, she said the award enabled her to move from operating exclusively online to opening her first brick-and-mortar patisserie in a structured, well-supported way.

The Creativity Award provides winners with practical resources to scale their businesses. The grand prize includes a fully equipped commercial retail space at Manar Mall, valued at approximately Dh2 million, offered rent-free for up to three years, along with operational, marketing and business development support.

Reflecting on the competition, AlJamali said participants received consistent guidance throughout the process, from application submission to the final stage. She added that the level of organisation and clarity helped candidates understand expectations at each phase.

As part of the evaluation, finalists took part in a live cooking challenge. AlJamali presented a selection of items, including classic brownies, her original cookie recipe, brioche bomboloni, carrot cake, éclairs and a customised celebration cake, reflecting both core products and custom-made designs.

The judging panel selected Meerana Patisserie as the winner, with Lee Northmore, Head of the Judging Committee and Vice President of Manar Mall, announcing the result. Judges cited the project’s product quality, consistency and innovation within the food sector, granting it unanimous approval.

Looking ahead, AlJamali said the prize will be invested entirely into establishing and operating the new outlet at Manar Mall. Preparations are currently underway, with a focus on operational sustainability, staffing, production planning and customer experience.

The award was launched in July under the directives of Ras Al Khaimah’s leadership, with applications closing at the end of October. According to organisers, the award’s website recorded 4,555 visitors from UAE nationals across all emirates, while 635 applicants submitted projects. Following an initial screening by a committee of professional chefs from five-star hotels in Ras Al Khaimah, 65 applicants met the eligibility criteria, with nine finalists advancing to the final round.

As the Ras Al Khaimah Creativity Award concludes its first edition, organisers said the initiative aims to continue supporting local entrepreneurs by providing opportunities to transform creative ideas into sustainable businesses.

For AlJamali, the award has accelerated a journey that had been developing steadily over several years, enabling a transition from an online operation to a physical retail presence.

Azza Al Ali

• 

azza@khaleejtimes.com

Azza Al Ali is a reporter from Ras Al Khaimah, dedicated to sharing stories that bring the community’s voices to life. She’s passionate about connecting with people and highlighting what truly matters to them.