Jeddah Blog: The End of an Era

Dear Readers,

As some of you may know already, I relocated to Lahore, Pakistan with my family in July 2017. The move has been good in many ways and challenging in others. Initially, I could not bear the thought of shutting down Jeddah Blog, but as we are now settling in, with new responsibilities and roles, the inevitable seems to be making itself clear.

Thanks to my many sponsors over the years, Jeddah Blog was able to sustain itself financially, but this is no longer becoming viable. In addition, the physical distance from Jeddah is taking its toll on the content of the blog.

Its been an amazing ride, these last 10 years. I have loved every moment of setting up the blog, creating and editing its content, engaging some amazing writers and contributors, and building (and in some cases befriending) its readership, and winning many blogging awards along the way.

For now, the Jeddah Blog Facebook group will remain active as it is a great resource for newcomers and prior residents alike, but this will be my last blog post.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this unforgettable journey. Love you all.

Sabaa x

 

Jeddah Blog awarded Top 30 Saudi Arabia Blog!

I am delighted and thrilled to announce that Jeddah Blog made the Top 30 Saudi Arabia Blogs list awarded by Feedspot! Further excitement ensues to see the blog at number 16!

Thank you to Anuj at Feedspot for breaking this amazing news to me, and for giving me the following awesome, shiny badge promptly displayed on the menu to your right.

Do check out the other blogs in the list here – there are some great ones to be browsed through.

As always, thank you to my readers who continue to read and recommend Jeddah Blog to others. We have now passed the 800,000 hits mark which is awesome and now I have my sights on the 1 million milestone!

Stay safe and happy everyone!

Karachi Biennale 2017

Right here in the city of Jeddah, we witnessed an art scene grow to fruition, and become a powerful part of the city’s mainstream culture. In the public arena, art has always been a part of daily life, thanks to the monumental sculptures strewn across the city. It isn’t always easy to bring art into the public realm, in regions rife with cultural and logistical challenges, but that hardship is what gives the art and the city its soul.

In another coastal city many miles east of Jeddah, where many of our international readers are from, an art biennale is bringing art back into the public arena. The venues for the Biennale are historic buildings, part of the city’s rich heritage, which get a new lease of life by being the axis of engagement for this city-wide event. The Karachi Biennale starts on the 22nd October and continues till the 5th November. We share with you the event highlights, and some striking images of the principal venues, as well as a public art project, Reel On Hai (The film is on), the likes of which we think every city in the world could use.

Karachi biennale theme: Witness 

“To witness something can be an involuntary act but to be a witness by choice alludes to participation and responsibility. Art, as a testament of its time, has always held significance, particularly in times when memory is heavily contested. Kundera, with his words ‘The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memories against forgetting’, puts the onus of creating testimonies for collective memory on eye witnesses and documenters.

The artists and art critics of our times are witness to a world brutalized by aggression and anxiety.  Their testimonies, be they personal or political, create a visual space of defiance.”

Detailed e-vite and full-day public programs to be posted on the Biennale’s website after the 15th October, 2017.

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Moving It For The Rohingya

The Rohingya people have been cruelly tormented by their home country, Myanmar. They have been fleeing Myanmar for years and live in impoverished, terrible conditions wherever they are. One tends to feel helpless when we see so much suffering far away, but now a much-awaited initiative has been launched by the Founder of Hope for Exceptional Needs and my good friend Dr. Uzma Raheem.

From the 19th September to 1st October you can now participate in a clothing drive for some of the Rohingya people settled in Hyderabad. Please drop off clothes, blankets, bedsheets, undergarments and socks at the locations mentioned below. Spread the word to your friends and your neighbours. Let’s work together to make this campaign a success!

For Jeddah Only

What you will pack in the cartons will not be clothing, it will be your Akhirah. Pack accordingly.

Clothing is the most visible and the most agonizing and obvious part of poverty. This campaign is meant to bring some relief to those Rohingyas undergoing genocide. Its also meant to bring dignity and some sense of normalcy to these poor displaced group.

“They are your brothers, give them to wear what you wear and give them to eat what you eat” Prophet Mohammed SAW

Keeping this wisdom and guidance in mind, we need to make sure of the following:

❌ No dirty, torn and unwashed clothing/undergarment/lingerie
❌No buttons missing please
❌No soleless and damaged shoes or shoes with heels
❌No brassiere with missing hooks and straps

♥️We appreciate and thank everyone who can wash and iron what they give. Let us give with respect and dignity.

The miracle of this life is that when we heal a vulnerable and fragile soul, our own soul heals.

Let us heal together.

📍NOTE-
collection drop off points only for material items. For funds please contact the assigned persons listed for the Khak e Taiba Trust.

Top 10 Places to Eat and Drink in Dubai

Dubai is a foodie’s haven where you could try a different place for every meal for more than a year and still not go back to the same place. We Jeddawis love to find an excuse to visit Dubai, and in this piece, Jeddah Blog’s resident foodie Abdullah Yahya has short-listed 10 such excuses for 10 places for every time of the day that are simply not to be missed the next time you are in Dubai.

Breakfast

This is the most important meal of the day and Dubai has plenty to offer in this department. Here are two of the best:

The Coffee Club

With a few branches spread around Dubai, the menu of The Coffee Club is varied and extensive, but it is my favorite pick for breakfast because it’s one of the best. Try the poached eggs with avocado, and close your meal with Apple Crumble tart, with a cup of good old-fashioned black coffee.

Perfectly poached eggs.

Locations: different location: Wasl Vita Mall, Times Square Centre, and The Palm Jumeirah.

Little More

The sibling of More Café has three different branches in Dubai, but I strongly suggest you visit the one in Marina Mall. Sure, it’s hot now in Dubai, but the trick is, they have an airconditioned outdoorsy area that’s overlooking the Dubai Marina, so you get the view without the discomfort. Their Full English Breakfast is hearty and their Healthy Breakfast is guilt-free, but whatever you choose, I think you will be happy. While you’re there try their signature Red Espresso® Cappuccino made of rooibos tea which has 0 caffeine.

Full English or Healthy Breakfast with this view?

Location: Marina Mall, Business Central Tower, and  DAFZA Building.

 

Specialty Coffee

Stomping Grounds

Located in a villa in the posh Jumeirah District, this place serves amazing coffee, and excellent food as well. You can trust the barista with a coffee recommendation, and he will even suggest other coffee places in Dubai. Now that is confidence!

Try this for a pick-me-up.

Location: Villa #98, 12D Street (Corner 51 St), 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

 

Café Rider Custom

A themed specialty coffeeshop, Café Rider Custom is a motorbike warehouse/ workshop/ showroom/ café. It has the coolest vibes, but that is not the only reason to visit. Do yourself a favour and try the flat white and the tiramisu. The location is in an industrial warehouse area very close to Mall of Emirates just off Umm Suqeim Rd.

Cool vibes and coffee.

Location:  Warehouse 7, 14C Umm Suqeim Road, Dubai – United Arab Emirates.

 

Indian

There is no shortage of Indian restaurants in Dubai, from the cheapest to the finest. It’s almost as if Indian subcontinent food is the official cuisine of Dubai. To narrow it down to one restaurant is just a fool’s errand, which I am gladly tackling.

Curry Culture

Curry Culture for me is a hidden gem tucked outside the China Court in Ibn Battuta Mall near Jabal Ali. Their curries are delicious and moderately priced, and their dosa is fantastic and comes in different varieties.

The Curry Culture Dosa

Classic Chicken Tikka Masala

Location: China Court, Ibn Battuta Mall, Mina Jebel Ali – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Ethnic Food

Tribes (African)

If you want to try African cuisine, then Tribes is where you should be heading. A bit pricey, but it’s colourful and cheerful with amazing ambience, and has the most convenient location in two of Dubai’s biggest malls. Try their Lamb Spring Roll, they are seriously, devilishly good, and don’t be afraid to try the Oxtail. It might seem exotic, but trust me when I say it is not to be missed.

Devilishly good lamb spring rolls.

Locations: The Mall of Emirates, and The Dubai Mall.

Ting Irie (Jamaican)

Just as I thought restaurants couldn’t get cooler than Tribes, I tried Ting Irie, the Jamaican Restaurant in Downtown Dubai, and I was blown away. The service is so friendly and inviting, and the food is so delicious and different from anything you’ve experienced. Don’t miss the Beef Patties which are just mouthwatering. We tried to ask for the recipe, but the chef wouldn’t tell us. Spitfiyah Jerk Chicken is another excellent dish not to be missed. The restaurant is expensive, but it is worth every penny.

The decor and food is modern and bold.

Locations: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Souk Al Manzil, Downtown – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

 

Rosa Mexicano (Mexican)

Unlike Jeddah, Dubai has many Mexican restaurants to choose from. My pick is Rosa Mexicana which has two branches in Dubai. It’s reasonably priced, and their guacamole made fresh at your table is not to be missed. Do try their hard-shells taco trio also.

Go Mexican.

Locations: The Dubai Mall and Mirdif City Centre.

Afternoon Tea

TWG Teahouse

If you are particular about your tea, then you might spend a long time at TWG making a selection from their very extensive tea menu. It has a few hundreds kinds of tea. Our favorites are the Silver Moon Tea and the Royal Moroccan. And their Crème Brûlée is seriously awesome.

A relaxing cuppa at TWG

Locations: The Dubai Mall and Festival City Mall

 

The Dinner and Movie Experience

Theatre by Rhodes at Vox Cinemas

If you love movies and food, then you can have the two in one. Theatre by Rhodes has a menu created by Michelin star chef Gary Rhodes. You will experience films in a luxurious way like you have never seen before. Food will be served to you in your seat of comfort one course after another, and don’t worry about the mess of eating in the dark, as all the food can be easily picked by hand.

A theatre experience like no other.

Locations: Vox Cinemas, Mall of Emirates.

Paperless Post Review

Paperless Post is an online stationery company with a difference. Not only are the designs beautiful and elegant, but they are eco-friendly convenient too. I was super-excited to get a message from them and be asked to explore their website.

If you’re anything like me, then your family and friends will be scattered all over the world. Now whether you want to send them birthday cards, Eid cards, save-the-dates or wedding cards, Paperless Post makes the experience so much easier. But more on that later.

First, let’s take a peek at some of the cute-as-a-button cards they have on offer.

Baby shower…

Belated birthday…

Iftar party…

 

 

Eid Mubarak…

Save-the-Dates…

The sheer number of beautiful designs are breathtaking and I guarantee you’ll be be wasting a lot of your precious time just browsing through them all.

The best part when it comes to invites? Once your guests receive a little envelope in their email inbox, they click on it to reveal the card and can also RSVP there and then!

Go ahead and customise your card. Most cards are free, and some come at a fee. If you want to send printed invitations, you have the option for doing that too – they have truly thought of everything.

Give them a try. Go Paperless today.

 

Elegant Fine Dining at Le Traiteur

Ramadan is a time of spirituality, self-control and self-reflection. Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset choosing to spend the holy month mostly with family and close friends. Iftar is the evening meal, the breaking of the fast that becomes a special occasion every day. Whether we choose to dine at home, or savour the meal outside, it becomes more than simply a meal and takes on a higher meaning.

When it comes to dining out at Iftar time, Jeddawis are positively spoilt for choice. Food courts and malls become packed and popular restaurants reach their peak. However, what about those restaurants tucked away from mainstream? Those elegant venues not openly advertised, but the quality of their food and service is whispered about in closed circles?

In our latest blog post, Jeddah Blog’s extreme foodie Abdullah Yahya spills the beans on one of the hidden gems of Jeddah’s food scene, French restaurant Le Traiteur. After reading this review, you’ll be sure to want to experience the elegance, quality and personal touch of this fine dining restaurant.

Do you know of any hidden gems that you would recommend? Secret restaurants that only a select few know about? Let us know in the comments below.

I don’t know about you, but in Ramadan I try to avoid going to open-buffet restaurants for Iftar. They are usually overcrowded, way overpriced, and they induce overeating. I know many foodies like myself who are hesitant to dine out in Ramadan because of that. That is why if you are anything like me, you should consider visiting Le Traiteur. Tucked away in a beautiful small villa in a residential area in Ash-Shati Dist., Le Traiteur is a hidden gem that not many know or talk about.

Approaching Le Traiteur

It’s a fine dining French restaurant that I can only describe as simply elegant. The restaurant is small and intimate, it has perhaps 10 – 15 tables at most, and when you enter from the main door, you feel you have been transferred to a French ballroom.

Beautifully classic French decor

I have dined at Le Traiteur several times during the years, but I have not been there for what seems like forever, which is something the restaurant manager noticed as he greeted us at the door, saying ruefully: “Mr. Abdullah, it’s nice to see you again, even though we only see you in Ramadan lately”. It struck me that he is absolutely right. I should be visiting more during the year, because even though I enjoy dining there in Ramadan, just like many restaurants in the city, they swap their regular menu in favour of a more Ramadan themed one, which in not necessarily in keeping with the restaurant cuisine.

Tastefully decorated tables

As we sat at the table minutes before the Maghrib (sunset) calling for prayer. I was busy admiring the elegant surroundings, from the classic furniture and wallpaper, glass displays of China and glassware, elegant table cloths and silverware, to the napkins that were folded to resemble the restaurant emblem. The dim lighting gives you an intimate candle-lit feeling that enhances the experience, and just shortly after the prayer ended, they began to play some classic music in the background that added majesty to the whole ambience.

The service was ever-friendly and attentive, and our waiter took extra care of my 15 month old child and made her feel welcome too.

The Arabic appetizers.

As soon as it was time to break our fast, dates, water, laban (buttermilk), and Arabic coffee was served, with pita and French bread, and a plate of Arabic appetizers. The appetizers consisted of a variety of cheese samosa, beef samosa, kibbeh, and spring rolls. I enjoyed the samosas, and I thought the kibbeh tasted good, but was too brittle and fell apart in the plate.

The soup table: Creamy Seafood and Lentil

Then it was time to head to the buffet and choose a soup. There was a choice between creamy seafood soup and lentil soup, and we opted for the seafood soup, which did not disappoint; it was hearty and warm, but was not heavy. I took a glance at the foul jar next to the soups pots, but then I decided against it, as I needed to be more selective.Next was time to visit the salad bar, and there were more than enough items to keep us happy for the next portion of our meal, and they tasted good as well.

Great variety at the salad bar.

Our waiter then asked us to choose our main course. Every day there are three dishes to choose from, and on this particular day the choices were between Beef Picatta, Chicken Cordon Blue, and Fish & Chips. We opted for the chicken and the beef and neither disappointed, especially the chicken, which was fantastic. I liked the beef too, but by the time I swapped plates with my wife, it was a little cold, but the rice was excellent and I wished I had room in my stomach to finish the plate.

Beef Picatta

Finally, we got round to dessert, and they were no dearth of choices, as the dessert buffet was full of many choice sweets, whether Arabic or Western.

Desserts galore.

There were also many fresh cuts of fruits, and even a chocolate fountain. I especially liked cheesecake and mahlabia (rice pudding) with pistachio and flower essence, and my wife was smitten by the chocolate pudding.

The Chocolate Fountain

Overall, we were very satisfied with our experience in Le Traiteur. It is a place for one who wants to savour one’s meal slowly in a sophisticated ambience. The price is 150 SR pp, which is moderate if you compare it to similar iftars in similar restaurants in Jeddah.

The choices are not very wide making you feel the need to binge, but they are varied enough that you feel satisfied. So, if you want to escape the crowds and have a pleasant experience away from the hustle and bustle of Ramadan buffet in five star hotels, here is your chance. However, if you’re still not convinced that you need to go out in Ramadan, I understand, just make sure to visit the restaurant after the holy month for the same elegant treatment only with proper French cuisine. Note to self: “Practice what you preach, and make sure to visit the restaurant yourself after Ramadan”.

Hospitality 9/10

Ambience 9/10

Soups, salads, and appetizers 9/10

Main dishes 8/10

Dessert 8/10

Value for money 8/10

Address: Abu Al Abbas Ibn Abdulmutalib, Ash Shati, Jeddah 23513, Saudi Arabia

Phone: +966 12 605 5111

Ramadan Offer: Win a Free Subscription with OSN!

We are super-excited to share this awesome giveaway with our very special Jeddah Blog readers.

Hold your breath and read on…

Have you ever wanted to have the freedom to watch what you like, when you like via 150 television channels?

OSN, the region’s leading entertainment network, is offering its customers the opportunity to enjoy 27 unmissable series for the whole family this Holy Month of Ramadan.

Click on the link below for a chance to WIN a 6 month subscription package with OSN, the Middle East’s leading entertainment network, in Ramadan.

Click here to enter the OSN

Competition

OSN’s new GeitItAll™ bundle offers ultimate access to all the best premium, not-to-miss Ramadan series, through OSN’s Plus HD Box that allows subscribers to record, pause and rewind live TV.

OSN’s extensive Ramadan line-up is also available on OSN Play and On Demand and will see the hugely popular Ottoman epic drama series Kösem Sultan, exclusive to OSN, starring award-winning actress, Nurgül Yesilçay.

Egyptian drama on OSN Ya Hala Al Oula HD also features an unbeatable line-up of talent that includes Karim Abdel Aziz in Al Zaybak; Ghada Abdel Razik in Ard Jaw and Donia Sameer Ghanem in Fi El Lala Land. Hayat Al-Fahd performs in gripping Gulf drama Rummana.

Showing on OSN’s Alfa package will be a collection of fantastic Ramadan series. The line-up includes El Hisab Yigma’a starring Yousra and Khalsana Be Shaiaka starring Ahmed Mekky. A glittering line up of stars come together in Li Aala Sie’r featuring Nelly Karim, Ahmed Fahmy and Zeina, while Amr Saad and Reham Hagag are the leading duo in Wada’ Amni. Not to be missed is Halawt El Donia starring Hind Sabry and Dafer Abdeen and Harbana Minha with Yasmine Abd El Aziz.

For the ART series, fans can catch Taim Hassan in Al Haiba as well as Qanadeel Al Oshaq featuring the ever glamorous Cyrine Abdel Nour and La Totfi Al Shams with the popular Amina Khalil.

With OSN Series Link, viewers can take control of their entertainment, ensuring they never miss a moment – recording the entire series in just two simple steps. For more information, visit:  GetItAll™ Bundle and OSN Play.

Tea and Falafel

If there’s anyone in this city who has their finger on the collective Jeddawi pulse, it’s Jeddah Blog’s Abdullah Yahya. Whether it’s honest advice on the best coffee shops  or the latest restaurant openings and dining options this is the one person you want among your handy Whatsapp contacts.

For this blog post, Abdullah has been on the hunt for a speciality breakfast hangout and he chanced upon the charmingly named Tea & Falafel on Madina Road. Scroll down to read Abdullah’s review, see what he ordered and find out how much he awarded the outlet in the all-important Jeddah Blog rating.

Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but many agree that it is indeed their favorite meal of the day. As Jeddawis, in the past we only had limited options for breakfast places, but this has been changing quickly in recent years.

If social media is any indication, breakfast joints are all the rage, and of all the times we eat out, the longest we wait for an empty table is usually when we go out for breakfast.

Rustic and homely at the same time

One of the latest places to open in Jeddah is Tea & Falafel which is located on Madinah Branch Road (address: 6614 Abi Haitham Al Ansari, Al Muhammadiyah District, Al Muhammadiyah District,, Jeddah 23624). Although it is still in its soft opening phase, it is very popular already.

The tastefully decorated single’s section

It has a single section downstairs and a family section upstairs. It’s not a large restaurant and there are less than 10 tables in the family section, and maybe as many in the singles section. It is nicely decorated and brightly coloured with upbeat quotes. My favourite is their take on BFF as “Best Falafel Forever”

The spice bar

Part tea shop, part restaurant, it serves Arabic food with an emphasis on falafel. You can indulge in all of your falafel fantasies here with creations such as falafel nachos, falafel waffles, manakeesh with falafel, etc.

We loved the bright sunlight pouring in.

Since it was our first time, we played it safe and ordered an Arabic breakfast plate (40SR) which came with samplers of Arabic traditional biggest hits (hummus, falafel, foul,  manakeesh, hummus, foul, labneh, tahini, makdous, jam, potato wedges, pickles, and pita bread). It comes with a pot of English breakfast tea but we replaced that with Karak tea.

I also ordered fresh orange juice (SR14 ), falafel stuffed with nuts (serving of two pieces, SR6), and zaatar mankeesh (SR8)

Za’atar Mankeesh

Karak Tea

Arabic breakfast sampler

Everything we tried was good, but the falafel, we thought, were exceptional. They were not too greasy and they tasted pretty good especially the falafel stuffed with nuts. I also liked the Karak tea.

Next time inshaAllah we will be trying other items on the menu, and you can bet there will be a next time, because not only did we like the food, but the service was good, the ambience was cool, and the prices were excellent. We ended up paying SR68 for 2 persons. Great value for money.

Jeddah Blog rating:

Ambience 8/10

Service 8/10

Food 9/10

Value 9/10

Overall rating 8.5/10

-photo credits: Abdullah Yahya

Art Workshop For Adults, Teens and Children

Get your creative juices flowing with these upcoming art classes for kids, teenagers and adults. Learn the art of oils and acrylics and give your talent a professional touch.

Includes the following styles

• Oil Painting.
• Portrait making.
• Pencil sketching.
• Abstract modern art.
• Contemporary art.
• Impressionism.
• Arabic & English calligraphy.
• 3D Sketching.

All supplies will be provided.

Date: 25th March 2017.

Time: 4-6pm

Duration: 2 days a week, for 2 months

Location: Al Rehab, Arbaeen road

Cost: Children: SR 650, Adults SR 1150

 

Register on the number in the flyer above. Check Instagram for the latest updates.

Cooking up a Storm with S. Pellegrino!

“If you want to become a great chef, you have to work with great chefs. And that’s exactly what I did.” – Gordon Ramsay

Paving the way for a new generation of gastronomists, the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Award is back for the third year to find the world’s best young chef.

Young chefs in Saudi Arabia, who are aged 30 or below with at least a year’s experience in a restaurant as a chef, sous chef or chef de partie, are invited to submit an application with their signature dish. The deadline for submitting entries in April 30^th, 2017, so put your aprons on to flex your skills with your peers and gain from immense exposure.

What is even more exciting is that this year, the Middle East and Africa region semifinal event will take place in Dubai.

“Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and culinary sector is witnessing exponential growth,” says Luca Antonelli, Area Manager – Middle East, S.Pellegrino. “There are many young, talented chefs with immense potential and inspiration to make their mark in the industry. It has never been so important to encourage and support the development of young talent and also promote culinary innovation. Through this initiative, S.Pellegrino aims to provide a platform to young chefs to demonstrate both their talent and skills to the industry and get recognised for what sets them apart from their peers. It is time to push their creative boundaries to innovate, prove their expertise and help them stand out in a highly competitive industry.”

The third edition will take place over the course of 18 months, with the final event taking place in Milan in June, 2018. The extended duration for this edition will allow candidates more time to work side by side their assigned Chef Mentors to improve their signature dishes and refine their skillset in preparation for the finals. In addition, applications will now be accepted in English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French and Italian.

The international competition is divided into two phases. During the first, applications will be divided into 21 groups based on geographical region, and 10 semi-finalists from each will be chosen by ALMA, the world’s leading international educational and training centre for Italian Cuisine. Their dishes will be judged based on the following criteria – ingredients, skills, genius, beauty and message.

In the second phase, the 10 selected semifinalists of each of the 21 geographic areas will compete in a Local Semifinals round, where live competitions will be held in each region from June to December. This year, for the first time, the Middle East and Africa region semifinal event will take place in Dubai in October 2017.

In June 2018, the 21 Young Chef finalists will gather in Italy for the Grand Finale event to compete for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 title in front of Seven Sages, a distinguished panel of judges comprised of some of the most celebrated culinary masters of the world.

The complete list of competition requirements is available on the application website.

S.Pellegrino Young Chef is a global competition realized in four phases:

PHASE I – Online Application (February 2017 – April 2017)

From February 1 to April 30, 2017, any young chef in the world will have the opportunity to submit an application and their signature dish at www.sanpellegrino.com. Applying chefs must be 30-years-old or younger and have at least one year of experience working in a restaurant as a chef, sous chef or chef de partie. The complete list of competition requirements will be available on the application website.

PHASE II – Global Shortlist (June 1, 2017)

All qualified candidates will be divided into 21 regions* according to their geographic origin. Submissions will then be evaluated by ALMA, the world’s leading international educational and training centre for Italian Cuisine (www.alma.scuolacucina.it), which will select the top 10 semifinalists for each geographic region, according to five “Golden Rules”:

1. INGREDIENTS: Ability to select the best ingredients that the market can offer in terms of quality, freshness and uniqueness, in order to achieve an excellence of taste.
2. SKILL: Ability to work with raw materials and turn them into a dish that respects their original essence.
3. GENIUS: Ability to explore new, challenging, and innovative perspectives in relation to the culture of fine cuisine with a personal and contemporary style, while maintaining a perfect equilibrium of taste.
4. BEAUTY: Dish presentation, giving an aesthetic enhancement of its contents.
5. MESSAGE: Ability to communicate a clear message through one’s work and vision.

 PHASE III – Local Challenges (June 7^th – December 2017)

The ten selected semifinalists of each of the 21 geographic areas will compete in a Local Semifinals round, where live competitions will be held in each region from June 7 to December 31.  During these events, the semifinalists will cook their signature dishes for an exclusive regional jury, composed of independent top chefs who will evaluate the presented dishes based on the five Golden Rules and select a winner.

By the end of December 2017, the 21 Young Chefs from around the globe will be announced as the official finalists, who will move on to the world finals in Milan, Italy. Each finalist will be assigned a “Mentor Chef” (a member of their regional jury), who will provide guidance on how to improve their signature dishes and support them in their preparation for the finals.

PHASE IV – S.Pellegrino Young Chef Finals (June 2018)

In June 2018, the 21 Young Chef finalists will gather in Milan for the Grand Finale event, hosted by S.Pellegrino. The chefs will compete for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 title, with the winner selected by the international Seven Sages panel of judges.

The complete contest regulations and application form will be available on www.sanpellegrino.com

Follow the competition on social media via the hashtag #SPYoungChef.

 

*THE 21 GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS

1. Italy
2. France
3. Germany-Austria
4. Switzerland
5. Spain-Portugal
6. UK-Ireland
7. Russia/CIS (ex-Soviet Union)
8. Scandinavia/Baltics
9. East Europe
10. BeNeLux
11. Mediterranean Countries
12. USA
13. Canada
14. Africa-Middle East
15. Central America–Caribbean
16. South America
17. Pacific (Australia/NZ/Pacific Islands)
18. China
19. Japan
20. North-East Asia
21. South-East Asia

 

About S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna and Sanpellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages are international trademarks of Sanpellegrino S.p.A., which is based in Milan, Italy. Distributed in over 130 countries through branches and distributors on all five continents, these products represent quality excellence by virtue of their origins and perfectly interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of pleasure, health and well-being. Founded in 1899, Sanpellegrino S.p.A. is the leading company in the beverage sector in Italy with its range of mineral waters, non-alcoholic aperitifs, drinks and iced teas. As a major Italian producer of mineral water, it has always been committed to enhancing this primary good for the planet and works responsibly and passionately to ensure that this resource has a secure future.

 

 

English and French Lessons

Diann Tanser has been living in Jeddah for just 16 months. She first came to Jeddah to work as a private tutor for a Saudi family and when her contract ended she decided to stay on in Jeddah and set up a private tutoring business.

She is a native English speaker, and bilingual in French. Diann has many years’ experience both in the UK and France working as a private tutor and also working on language development programs.

Diann has a relaxed approach and believes that no matter what your age, learning should be fun!

Counselling for Mothers

The Hope Centre presents their second signature event MIND, BODY AND SOUL.

♥️One for the Blessed Moms♥️

We’ve all had moments when life’s demands left us feeling stressed and scattered. In these moments, it’s helpful to have some simple tools to help us gain composure and come back to our center.

Join the Hope Center for FREE to destress through various methods:

🔸Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

🔸Vision Boards

🔸Yoga for a calming meditation

🔸Zumba to release your “feel good chemicals”.

Learn through a board certified therapist how to overcome bouts of depression and anxiety.

First preference will be for moms of children with special needs and then for those moms who are depressed in general.

Saudi Comic Con from a Teen POV

By all accounts, the first ever Saudi Comic Con was a roaring success. The event was held over 3 days as part of an entertainment initiative by the Saudi General Authority for Entertainment, and according to the Arab News the event received a total of 20,000 visitors.

For some background and reviews of the Comic Convention, you can always do a quick web search. However Jeddah Blog decided to give you a different perspective. A teenage one.

Jeddah Blog spoke to 4 young teenagers, Musab Ali (13 years), Omar Dada (14 years), Ramis Faisal (14 years) and Hassan Khatri (14 years) who attended Saudi Comic Con on Day 1 and we asked them what they thought of the event.

From the left: Musab, Darth Vader, Ramis and Hassan.

According to Musab: “This was the best thing to happen in Saudi Arabia. The queue was long, but it was fast-moving. It looked small from the outside, but it was very big once we entered. There were lots of hi-tech gaming consoles, XBox One, computers and PS4s on every corner for people to play on. There was also a comedy show in the evening in Arabic.”

Musab went on to say, “Lots of people were dressed up in costumes. The Joker was clearly the most popular choice. Although we were given free drinks, which was great, there wasn’t a lot of variety of food to purchase, only snacks. Also, there wasn’t enough place to sit if we wanted to take a break. However, there was a VIP lounge for people who had VIP bands.”

When asked about his favourite part of Comic Con Musab said, “The best part was the fighting scene on stage between Thor, Loki, Iron Man, Ant Man and Captain America. The life size Transformer was amazing too.”

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Ramis summarised the show saying, “I think it was a great experience, a large crowd, and very organised with a variety of stuff to do from trying out new games to buying exclusive merchandise. There were a lot of stalls and a show outside.”

The Boys: [L to R]  Hassan, Ramis, Musab and Omar.

“I thought Comic Con was an amazing experience,” enthused Omar. “It was very organised and full of people and many games to try out, as well as many events. There were also many stalls full of interesting merchandise.” 

Hassan getting some sage advice from Yoda.

Hassan was pleasantly surprised by the event. “The long-awaited Comic Con finally arrived in Jeddah. People were a little apprehensive and didn’t expect much for a first time in Saudi Arabia, but that wasn’t the case. There were lots of international companies selling merchandise that is pretty hard to find in Saudi Arabia or even in the Middle East.”

However, Hassan was disappointed not being able to attend the meet and greet with celebrities: “Unfortunately, not everyone had the chance to meet the guests as it was very expensive”.

Overall, it seems that the show was a great hit with teens as well as older attendees. The show, games and merchandise were of particular interest to this young group. Definitely a step in the right direction for Saudi entertainment and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Photo Credits: Hassan Khatri and Ramis Faisal

Kidzmamia: Entrepreneurship for Children

Kidzmamia was an event held last month by Elite Club Jeddah at Salt n Pepper Restaurant in an effort to foster entrepreneurial skills amongst children. The idea was for the kids to book stalls which were then set up and managed by the children themselves. A total of nineteen stalls were booked within two days. The children made banners and set up the food, drinks and games.

The purpose of the event was to boost self-confidence in the children, enhance their creativity, develop their skills of communication and social dealing, and create a sense of optimism, hard-work, and competitiveness. Their happy faces and heavy pockets at the end of the evening was an indication that they had indeed gained a great deal from the activity.

A charity box was also set up to encourage the children to think about those less fortunate than themselves.

If you were at the event, see if you can spot yourself in the slideshow below. Did you enjoy yourself? Leave a comment and let us know!

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by Saniya Owais

Click here for more information on Elite Club Jeddah.