A top Bahraini chef has her eyes set on sustainability and plans to launch a digital application that would help restaurants and vendors reduce food wastage.
Chef Lulwa Sowaileh, who previously worked at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and was one of two chefs selected to represent Bahrain at the Expo 2020 in Dubai, has joined forces with two other Bahrainis to develop and deploy ‘Wajba’, which means meal in Arabic.
“We want to help restaurants reduce food waste – some don’t even calculate food costs currently, which can be quite damaging to their business,” Ms Sowaileh told the GDN.
“What we want to do is connect restaurants with customers interested in purchasing products that are still safe to eat, but may otherwise be thrown out for a variety of reasons.”
Currently, many restaurants either give away surplus food to employees or throw it out, increasing the cost of inputs.
However, through Wajba, businesses can list items that are available and interested individuals can buy them for a discount and pick them up from the facility later that day.
“The idea for Wajba was inspired by my experience with the application ‘Too Good To Go’ during my studies in the UK, as well as my partner Lulwa’s experience using it while working as a chef in Ireland,” co-founder and chief executive Ghassan Esfahani added.
“Wajba seeks to address the growing issue of food waste in Bahrain by connecting vendors with surplus food to consumers seeking sustainable and affordable meal options.”
Denmark-built application ‘Too Good To Go’ connects restaurants and stores that have unsold food with customers who can buy them – usually at one-third its original price.
Development of Wajba began earlier this year, and has been done from the ground-up in Bahrain, with a ‘focus on local insights,’ to ensure it reflects the ‘unique needs and preferences of the community’.
The team also conducted pilot testing with a well-known restaurant brand in Bahrain.
“Within the first month, we successfully reduced their food waste by 93.5 per cent, converting what would have gone to waste into a source of revenue,” Mr Esfahani explained.
According to Ms Sowaileh, this amounted to more than BD1,800 in savings in a single month.
Wajba is set to launch in Bahrain in early 2025, with plans to expand to Qatar and Kuwait the following year, followed by Saudi Arabia in 2027, targeting the broader GCC region.
“All partner vendors must adhere to Bahrain’s food safety regulations,” Mr Esfahani added.
“Wajba will implement strict vendor guidelines and routine checks to ensure quality and safety for all items listed.”
The platform emphasises the importance of sustainability and community impact, which resonates with modern consumers, ultimately enhancing brand loyalty instead of diluting it.
Ms Sowaileh found that the application appeals to lower income households who value the discounts provided, as well as higher income households who appreciate the sustainability impact.
The core founding team includes Mr Esfahani, Ms Sowaileh who is the chief marketing officer, and Mudafar Al Musaed, the chief technology officer.
The team is currently finalising vendor partnerships, scaling marketing efforts and completing testing.
For details, follow @wajba.bh on Instagram.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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