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PHOTOS: What's cooking at Sharjah Food Festival

Sharjah - There is no lack of creativity, fine taste and sharing of kitchen talent at Sharjah Food Festival. (Photos by M.Sajjad)

We've seen many culinary extravaganza the past couple of months and if you're craving for more, be sure not to miss the unique atmosphere at the 10th Sharjah Food Festival happening until Saturday (April 9) where there's food and fun for everyone.
The 10-day culinary event, organised by Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), is featuring many exciting activities such as live cooking demonstrations by international celebrity chefs, culinary competitions, as well as entertainment for foodies and restaurant lovers of all ages.
It opened on Thursday spread across four locations, including Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Montazah and Heart of Sharjah.
In Al Qasba, visitors were treated to a mouth-watering chocolate carving competition on Thursday night. Jason Cueto, senior kitchen art designer at Dubai World Trade Centre, won in the competition. He sculpted a peacock and a horse symbolising UAE's diverse taste.
One of those impressed by Cueto doing his magic on the sweet concoction was Syrian teenager Ammar Yasser who told Khaleej Times: "I love chocolates but now I have another perspective on those sweets. I might even give it a try (doing chocolate sculpting) before I eat my chocolate."
Executive chef Milon Rozario, who judged the competition, said "Sharjah Food Festival has grown big through the years. It gives an opportunity to budding and established chefs to showcase their talents and creativity."
And surely there is no lack of creativity, fine taste and sharing of kitchen talent at Sharjah Food Festival. Over at Al Majaz Waterfriont, Kuwaiti chef Fawaz Al Omaim, more popularly known as "Namnam Chef" on social media, shared his secret in preparing meals.
Namnam Chef had a good interaction with the audience and he taught them how to prepare a restaurant-quality chicken burger and how to make different meat sauces and flavours derived from the Eastern and Western cuisines.
While parents were busy honing their kitchen skills, the kids were also having fun with many interactive and exciting shows prepared for them, including comedy, circus, and musical performances plus appearances by famous "Sesame Street" characters like Grover, Elmo, Ernie and the Cookie Monster.
Meanwhile, representatives from various government departments in Sharjah felt the heat as they bid for supremacy in several cooking competitions.
Dads too proved that they can handle kitchen pressure in a special contest titled "My Father Can Cook" while the youngsters competed in 'The Little Chef Challenge.'
Be sure to visit Sharjah Food Festival. Entrance is free.
(Photos by M.Sajjad)
angel@khaleejtimes.com