This year's Show Kitchen will bring together local and international chefs and will focus on healthy eating.
Those joining the programme include the Spaniard Mariano Andres, who worked at the famous El Bulli Restaurant in Spain. Andres trained with Ferran Adrià, who is regarded as one of the world's leading chefs, before becoming manager of Seville's restaurant in Dubai in 2001.
Monique Bassila Zaarour is sure to be another star attraction at this popular part of the book fair. Zaarour is a dietician, author, cook and broadcaster in Lebanon.
The French chef Alexandre Pernetta, who was given the title of best young culinary talent in France in 2002; Cyril Calmet, who is chef de cuisine at Shangri-La Hotel's Pearls and Caviar in Abu Dhabi; the Kuwaiti TV host Fatma Al Bushiri; and the Bahraini chef Mona Al Hassan will all be showcasing their own brands of fine dining.
Al Hassan opened a cookery school in Bahrain last year that offers training and education on nutrition for both adults and children. She says she will be cooking a traditional Bahraini sweet (called afeeda) during her visit to Abu Dhabi.
"In Bahrain we make this sweet for happy occasions like Ramadan," she says.
As well as traditional food from back home, Al Hassan will teach children how to bake cookies and pizza.
When asked why she enjoys cooking, her reply is simple: "I feel happy when I cook."
nmarch@thenational.ae
Follow us
[ @LifeNationalUAE ]
Follow us on Facebook for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.
