The business: The Snack Society
The entrepreneur: Kamilla Omarzay
The background: Omarzay, who was born in Afghanistan and raised in Dubai, launched her business quietly, from her home this year. The idea was born after the 31-year-old went on a spiritual journey prompted by being laid off from her job in marketing and advertising. "You know when you are in a job but you are highly unhappy? You know when the universe throws you out there?" she says. For several years, Omarzay had been experimenting with how to deal with her digestive issues, which included stomach pain and bloating. After seeking herbal and alternative treatments, last year she gave up eating gluten and dairy. She says she "felt amazing", and started experimenting with preparing her own snacks at home. "Then, when I lost my job, I was making this stuff for myself, sulking, and I thought, 'Why don't I do this?'"
The snacks: Fed up with the preponderance of outrageously priced yet tasteless gluten-free snacks on the market, Omarzay decided to make taste and affordability her top priorities. Six of her mouth-watering brownies (dairy and gluten-free, yet containing eggs) cost Dh30; and eight raw peanut-butter balls are Dh50. The range also includes home-made granola, healthy sweet breads (including baked banana and almond loaf) and Omarzay's delicious-looking twists on popular chocolate bars, including Twix. Many of her snacks are also suitable for (or can be tailored to) people with coeliac disease.
The goal: The Snack Society currently serves Dubai only, but Omarzay plans to expand – and eventually open a cafe.
DIY: Omarzay isn't afraid to give away her secrets and wants to be part of the wider clean-eating community, so she's been busy filming and uploading make-it-yourself videos to her YouTube channel and Facebook page. Her chocolate and mint slice with avocado, and home-made banana and mango ice lollies look like must-trys.
Go get some: The Snack Society's menu is available on Instagram and Facebook. Delivery costs Dh5. To order, call 050 525 5175 or email thesnacksociety@gmail.com.
amcqueen@thenational.ae
