For many, bread is a comfort food. For Khaled El Mahmassani, it became his life’s calling. His journey from being overweight in his twenties to becoming one of the Arab world’s most beloved bread educators is nothing short of inspiring.
During his twenties and much of his adulthood, Khaled struggled with his weight. He knew he was eating the wrong foods, not moving enough, and consuming too much bread, the one food he loved the most. But instead of giving it up completely, Khaled turned his frustration into fuel. Determined to eat better, he began experimenting in his kitchen. He wanted bread that was healthy, natural, and full of flavor. That’s when he discovered the art of slow fermented, additive free, artisan breads like sourdough and rustic European loaves.
This was not just a diet change. It became his mission and eventually his life’s purpose. As he kneaded dough and watched it transform, he found not just nutrition but also creative expression. Khaled, who is also an artist at heart, felt a deep connection to the craft. Just as he would transform a blank sheet of paper into art, he turned simple ingredients such as flour, water, salt, and a little yeast into something alive, flavorful, and deeply nourishing.
Leaving the Corporate World for a New Passion
Despite his newfound passion, Khaled did not originally plan to be a baker. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Sharjah University and spent 15 years working in money exchange and remittance. But he felt unfulfilled. He craved a tangible, creative outlet, something that would allow him to touch people’s lives in a meaningful way.
The turning point came when Khaled decided to leave his corporate job behind. He took a pastry class at ICCA in Dubai and tried to start a bakery, but the plan didn’t work out. Instead of giving up, he sought short bakery trainings overseas and eventually returned to his native Lebanon with his wife and children. There, he worked for artisanal bakeries and started teaching workshops in Beirut. Over five years, he built a strong foundation in artisan bread making and developed a love for teaching.
Overcoming Challenges and Sharing Knowledge
Then, the pandemic hit. Khaled found himself jobless and facing uncertainty. But instead of backing down, he adapted. He started offering online sourdough classes to hundreds of people, sharing his knowledge and passion with a wide audience. The classes not only helped him survive financially but also strengthened his connection with a community of bread enthusiasts.
Just as things were looking up, disaster struck again. The Beirut Port explosion devastated the city. Faced with a tough decision, Khaled chose to move to Riyadh to lead a team of bakers in a large bakery factory. Over three years, he gained even more experience, mentoring new bakers and entrepreneurs to open their own successful businesses. His ability to turn setbacks into opportunities became his trademark.
Becoming an Arab World Bread Educator
Today, Khaled El Mahmassani is much more than a baker. He is an educator, consultant, and mentor to thousands of bread lovers and aspiring bakers across the Arab world. He offers on-site consultations for bakery startups and shares daily educational content on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. His Instagram account, has become a go-to resource for anyone interested in artisan bread.
He also wrote and published a book in Arabic about the principles of artisan bread, reaching even more people who want to learn the art of real bread making. His biggest achievement, he says, is helping hundreds of thousands of people bake healthier, tastier bread at home.
A Vision Beyond Bread
But Khaled El Mahmassani’s journey is not just about bread. It is about finding one’s purpose, overcoming obstacles, and inspiring others to do the same. He believes deeply in lifelong learning and staying humble. “We are all born ignorant and dependent. I learned to be open minded, humble, and forever a student,” he says. This mindset has helped him continue growing as a craftsman and teacher.
His new goal is to launch an online course on traditional Italian breads, including the famous Neapolitan pizza. Khaled believes that by spreading knowledge about additive free, nutritious bread, he can help build a community of artisans who will transform the way we eat. For him, bread is not just food. It is a way to create joy, health, and connection.
Words of Wisdom to Inspire Others
Despite his accomplishments, Khaled El Mahmassani remains down to earth and deeply philosophical. He encourages everyone to find their passion and pursue it relentlessly. “Do not waste your time. Find your heart’s passion, set a goal around it, and get to work. It is okay to fail; failure is part of the learning process,” he advises. His words reflect his own journey, a journey filled with setbacks, pivots, and hard earned victories.
He also emphasizes protecting your mind from negativity, reading more, and avoiding toxic influences. His approach to life is simple yet profound. Love everyone, envy none, and forgive those who hurt you. And of course, he reminds us to eat well, smile more, walk more, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
Khaled El Mahmassani hopes to be remembered as someone who never gave up, who kept moving toward his goals despite all odds, and who used his talent to make the world a better place. His story shows that passion, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning can turn even the biggest challenges into beautiful opportunities.
For anyone struggling to find their calling or feeling stuck in a career that does not fulfill them, Khaled El Mahmassani’s journey offers hope and practical inspiration. It proves that it is never too late to change paths, to follow your curiosity, and to create a life full of meaning and purpose.
Through his breads, teachings, and words, Khaled El Mahmassani invites us all to slow down, savor life, and believe in our power to transform ourselves and the world around us.
Do follow him on Instagram
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