Afbeelding
When Mohamad Kimel came to the Netherlands from Syria five years ago, he was ready for a fresh start. Today, he runs his own business called Unlock the Meal, delivering authentic Syrian meals to people’s homes. His motivation? “To share the cuisine of my culture, but in a professional way.”
The taste of a good idea
“When I first arrived in the Netherlands, I was a single student with little time to cook. Halal options were limited, and fast food was often the only choice.” Despite a large Syrian community, he noticed that Syrian cuisine was hardly known to the general public. “That felt like a missed opportunity. So I thought: why not bring it to the market myself?”
Mohamad began with extensive research on the Dutch market, tested recipes, collected feedback, and worked on his branding. His experience as an entrepreneur in Syria and Turkey gave him the confidence to start.
Unlock the Meal: more than just food
Success came quicker than expected. “Supermarkets showed immediate interest. The first orders exceeded my expectations.” What makes his concept unique? “The combination of authenticity and professionalism. We don’t just deliver food, we deliver an experience.”
Unlock the Meal is sustainable, healthy, and convenient: it saves customers time while offering them delicious, authentic flavors. Mohamad sources ingredients from around the world, carefully balancing price, quality, and communication.
Growing with help from the Center for Entrepreneurship
His International Business studies and the Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE) at NHL Stenden have played a big role in his success. “The CfE was a gamechanger. It helped me build a network, access the right advice, and connect with people who could really support me. Roy Rock, in particular, has been an incredible mentor.”
His minor also fit perfectly with his goals. “I used the time to work on my website and further develop my business. Soon, I’ll create a manual for staff so the company can run without me being there all the time.”
Future plans and advice
His vision is clear: to build a franchise like KFC and eventually expand internationally. His advice for other students with entrepreneurial dreams? Be patient, build your network, and sign up with the CfE. It opens doors you didn’t even know existed. What drives him? Challenges — and the pride of presenting Syrian meals the way they truly deserve.
Check the video of Mohamad here.