’Secret of Spices’ gathers executive at the Sharjah waterfront for two weekends of live performances and exotic creations
One of the most pleasurable aspects of exploring Middle Eastern culture is the cuisine. Within the cultural capital of the UAE, a host of renowned chefs from various hotels and restaurants in the UAE are gearing up for the inaugural celebrations of the Al Qasba Food Festival, held for two consecutive weekends along the walkways of Al Qasba’s waterfront from November 11 – 20.
Whether you’re an experienced connoisseur or someone simply wanting to add more healthy and delicious foods to the daily menu, the Festival includes a number of vibrant food kiosks, guest chefs, representatives from many restaurants in and out of Al Qasba’s, live shows and interactive cooking seminars. Entrance is free and all ages are welcome to the event.
“People in the UAE and the Middle East in general take immense pride in preparing food and sharing meals with friends and family,” says Chef Uwe Micheel, Head of the Emirates Culinary Association and author of 2010’s best-selling culinary novel Chef at Home. “Eating isn’t just about satisfying hunger; it’s about exploring new frontiers and discovering life’s wonderful variety with the people that matter most in our lives.”
Chef Uwe will be among the many honoured names featured at this year’s event, which will also include senior chefs from Madinat Jumeirah Resort, Intercontinental, and Sofitel, among others. Each chef has prepared a series of special dishes for their participation, mixing culinary styles from Western Europe to the plains of North Africa and Southeast Asia.
While food is surely the theme, there’s much more than that at this year’s festival. Strolling through Al Qasba, visitors are invited to enjoy live musical performances and animated stilt performers parading through the crowds.
Informal cooking stations are also open to families of all ages where secrets of the trade are revealed by the masters themselves. A number of activities are geared specifically to younger audiences, including a “Little Chefs Corner” where kids and teens can learn about kitchen basics and the diversity of cultural norms that surround eating etiquette. Those looking to shop will find refuge in the numerous vendor stalls set up specifically for the festival.
Spread out across the waterfront and within Al Qasba’s stunning Arabic architecture, Dina Al Nakhi, Events Manager at Al Qasba, says that the festival will be reminiscent of the traditional markets of old. “While world class cuisine is obviously the focus, such activities are complimented by a lively and personal connection between visitors, chefs and vendors,” says Al Nakhi. “It’s those kinds of interactions which really bring a community together. It reminds people that healthy and delicious food is just around the corner; an experience to be shared across borders and cultural lines.”
A full schedule of the Festival’s activities and participants can be found online at the Al Qasba website (www.alqasba.ae) or at any one of the Al Qasba entertainment outlets. Among this year’s sponsors of the Al Qasba Food Festival are Etisalat, Falcon Pack, Bin Lahej Kitchens, Philips, Al-Ghurair Foods, Gulf Food International Company, Tekka and Dimensions.
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