Sarah Elkholy, founder of Fresh Feteer
CHECKMATE Business Profile
Checkmate Feature · No. 001Egyptian FoodParlin, NJ

Every piece carries a story.

Sarah Elkholy left Egypt with one of its most beloved traditions. In a New Jersey kitchen, between raising four children, she turned it into a business — one golden layer at a time.

”كل حاجة بدأت في مطبخ بيتي.“

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Sarah Elkholy started Fresh Feteer because she was passionate about sharing her culture through food. What began as a love for authentic Egyptian flavors grew into a way to bring people together — to introduce them to the tradition of feteer, and to create experiences that feel warm, personal, and memorable.

”كنت بعمل الفطير لعيلتي ولأصحابي. والكل كان بيقول لي: سارة، لازم تشاركي الناس بده.“

“I was making feteer for my family and friends. And everyone kept telling me: Sarah, you have to share this with people.”

Checkmate Podcast Episode 01 with Sarah Elkholy
Episode 01 · Coming Soon
THE INTERVIEW — Sarah on tradition, the first sale, balancing four kids with a growing order book, and what feteer means to the people who taste it. Episode 01 of the Checkmate Podcast.

The hardest part isn't the craft. It's doing all the prep for events while being a mother of four. Every order is a balance of family and business, of feeding her kids while feeding someone else's celebration.

She is proudest of the hard work, dedication, and persistence it took to build something meaningful from the ground up. The proof is in the moments — a wedding tray placed on the table, a Dubai Chocolate Feteer that became the most photographed dessert at the event, a guest taking a bite and asking who made this.

Inside the Kitchen
Savory herbed feteer, fresh from the oven
Cheese feteer with the signature pull
Nutella feteer with chocolate stripes
Photography courtesy of Fresh Feteer · Parlin, New Jersey
In Her Words

Four questions for Sarah.

Why feteer?

”الفطير المشلتت ده مش بس أكل. ده تراث مصري قديم، توارثناه عن أمهاتنا وستّاتنا.“

“Feteer meshaltet isn't just food. It's an old Egyptian heritage, passed down from our mothers and grandmothers.”

What makes yours different?

”الفطير بيتعمل بإيد. بنفرده ورقة ورقة، شفاف زي الحرير. مفيش ميكنة بتعمل ده.“

“It's made by hand. We spread it sheet by sheet, transparent like silk. No machine can do this.”

Your first customer?

”أول زبونة كانت ست لبنانية في الحيّ. ذاقت الفطير، وعيّطت من الفرحة. في اللحظة دي عرفت إن ده مش مجرد أكل. ده ذكرى. ده بيت.“

“My first customer was a Lebanese lady in the neighborhood. She tasted the feteer, and she cried from joy. In that moment I knew this isn't just food. It's a memory. It's home.”

What are you proudest of?

“The hard work, dedication, and persistence it took to build something meaningful from the ground up.”

Her Truth

حسّيت إن من واجبي أحافظ على ده هنا في أمريكا. مش عشاني — عشان أولادي وأحفادنا.

“I felt it was my duty to preserve this here in America. Not for me — for my children and our grandchildren.”

— Sarah Elkholy

Fresh Feteer

Egyptian Food · Parlin, New Jersey

The collection, the signature Dubai Chocolate Feteer, and how to book Sarah for your next event.

View the Business Profile
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