Milestones
1980: The Foundation of Excellence
From The Center to Mastering European Traditions
Mr. TK Khaleel's remarkable journey began in Doha, Qatar in 1980, when he joined The Center as a young baker with an unwavering passion for the craft. For the next 15 years, he immersed himself in world-class baking techniques, working alongside experienced European bakers and mastering the distinct styles of French, German, British, Italian, and Spanish baking traditions. This period of dedicated apprenticeship and skill development became the cornerstone of his expertise, equipping him with the knowledge and precision that would define his entire career. By the end of this formative period, Khaleel had established himself as a master craftsman with a deep understanding of artisanal baking methods that few in the region could rival.
1995-2003: Expansion & Regional Growth
Building Successful Ventures Across the Middle East
With his foundation firmly established, Mr. Khaleel expanded his influence across the Middle East, establishing and managing multiple successful bakery ventures. He founded Jawad Group Bakery in Bahrain, setting up and managing the entire operation from inception to market leadership. Simultaneously, he established Bateel Bakery in Doha, Qatar, which grew to become the region's No. 1 bakery brand. His ability to identify market opportunities, create high-quality products, and build scalable operations became evident during this period. Each venture was carefully crafted to meet local tastes while maintaining the highest international standards, demonstrating Khaleel's unique ability to blend tradition with innovation. His strategic vision and operational excellence during this phase positioned him as one of the Middle East's most respected bakery entrepreneurs.
2003: The Birth of Bakemart
From Ground Zero to Regional Market Leader
In 2003, Mr. Khaleel founded Bakemart in Dubai, establishing it as his flagship venture. Starting from the ground up, he built a first-class factory in Al Ghusais complete with retail outlets, and created premium, high-quality, and innovative baking solutions that set new industry standards. His vision was ambitious, to become the finest bakery solutions provider in the Middle East. This foundation proved to be just the beginning of an extraordinary expansion that would reshape the regional baking industry.
2013: Revolutionary Innovation
The Region's First State-of-the-Art Frozen Factory
Mr. Khaleel's commitment to innovation reached new heights in 2013 when he created the first frozen bakery factory in the Middle East. Located in Dubai Production City, this state-of-the-art facility spans 50,000 square feet and houses cutting-edge German equipment (MIWE and König systems) capable of producing over 2,000 different products. With a team exceeding 600 skilled professionals, this facility revolutionized the region's approach to frozen bakery products, enabling Bakemart to supply frozen dough and pre-proofed frozen products, par-baked and fully-baked frozen items, and premium frozen cakes and pastries. This innovation positioned Bakemart as a pioneer in frozen bakery solutions, serving major hospitality chains, airlines, and retailers across the Gulf region.
2019: The Gluten-Free Revolution
Baking Solutions for Health-Conscious Consumers
Understanding evolving consumer health preferences, Mr. Khaleel established a dedicated Gluten-Free factory in 2019 at Al Qusaisi, Dubai. This specialized facility, spanning 20,000 square feet with a dedicated team of 50+ professionals, produces over 100 gluten-free SKUs and operates dedicated retail kiosks, ensuring complete separation from gluten-containing processes. This venture demonstrated Khaleel's ability to anticipate market needs and create specialized solutions that expand access to premium baking products for consumers with dietary restrictions.
2022: New Horizons
Strategic Sale and Future Ambitions
In January 2022, Mr. Khaleel achieved a major milestone by successfully selling Bakemart's UAE operations and the Bahrain facility to Almarai, Saudi Arabia's global food giant, in a $25.4 million cash transaction. This strategic exit validated years of building a world-class operation and allowed him to pursue new ventures. Currently, Mr. Khaleel continues to follow his entrepreneurial spirit and is expanding his retail bakery and café presence in the UAE while simultaneously developing strategic partnerships aimed at creating a global brand. His focus has now shifted toward Artisan Bakers and Bloom BakeHouse, brands he has helped to build from the ground up.
“When young chefs and bakers call me their inspiration, I tell them that even after 42 years in baking, I’m still learning, still being inspired. When your work is your passion, it is not the past accomplishments that excite you, but the future ones”
Achievements
Baker Khaleel’s Sourdough
Mr. Khaleel holds a distinction few bakers in the world can claim. In 2013, his unique, 13-year-old sourdough starter – a living culture born from passion and perfected through years of refinement – was accepted into the Puratos Sourdough Library in St. Viths, Belgium. This non-profit conservatory preserves baking heritage from around the world, and Mr. Khaleel's creation was cataloged as Exhibit No. 128, becoming the first sourdough from the Middle East to be archived in this prestigious institution. He was the only Asian baker to have received this extraordinary honor at that time. This sourdough represents 13 years of careful cultivation, embodying a unique flavor profile with a complex blend of umami, saltiness, sweetness, and fermented notes, a testament to his meticulous craft.
Guinness World Record
In January 2021, Mr. Khaleel spearheaded a remarkable collaborative initiative with the Emirates Culinary Guild, USA Pears, and Jumeirah Creekside Hotel to achieve a Guinness World Record for the longest line of pies. The team successfully created and assembled 2,209 pies, exceeding the previous record of 1,608 pies. Mr. Khaleel personally collaborated with Chef Uwe, Director of Kitchen and President of the Emirates Culinary Guild, to create the special tart used in this record-breaking attempt. This achievement showcases his ability to inspire, innovate, and lead collaborative efforts in the culinary world.
Mr. Khaleel’s excellence has been recognized through numerous accolades, including his 2021 feature as “Mover & Baker” in Gulf Gourmet Magazine for his innovation and leadership; multiple awards and consistent participation at Gulfood from 2009 to 2020, and more. His professional credentials include formal certification in European pastries from Martin Braun in 1994 and advanced training through Zeelandia programs in 2018, along with several industry recognitions highlighting his leadership in professional development, training, and sector advancement. His expertise and products serve a distinguished portfolio of global and regional partners such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Hilton, Hyatt, Atlantis The Palm, Carrefour, Spinneys, McDonald’s, and luxury destinations such as Armani Hotel Dubai. This extensive client base reflects the trust that prominent international brands place in Bakemart’s quality, innovation, and reliability.
Showcasing Baking Innovation at Gulfood
2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020