Sharjah24: Aspiring young chefs had their fill of culinary adventure and fun with cheese and dough as they learnt how to make pizza muffins as part of a cookery workshop at the 15th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) on Friday.

“This was meant to be a hands-on, cheesy, and yet utterly fun adventure in the world of culinary creativity for the young visitors,” said instructor Lamia Msallam who showed the select group of children how to make pizza muffins from scratch with dough and add their favourite toppings.

“Cooking is not only a valuable life skill but also a wonderful way for children to express their creativity and explore different flavours and ingredients. What made this workshop fun and an overall delicious experience for all participants is the fact that it let them combine two of their favourite foods – cupcakes and pizzas", Msallam added. 

During the workshop, children not only got a real-life practical kitchen lesson, but also learnt some valuable cooking techniques and tips from Msallam and her team of instructors.

“I love pizzas and muffins both and it was great fun [learning to make the dough],” said six-year old Egyptian Moustafa Mohammed who goes to Rose School in Sharjah. “I want to come back for more.”

It was no less a doughy affair for Emirati siblings Mohammad and Aisha Saoud. “I had never seen [pizza in the shape of a muffin]. So I had great fun not only making it but also eating it,” said 11-year-old Mohammad, a student of Sharjah’s Salman Al Farsi private school.

Meanwhile her sister Aisha had a tough time deciding what to call her latest creation. “It definitely looked like a cupcake but then it tasted like a pizza. So I don't know what to name it,” said the 10-year-old. “I loved the workshop because it was fun and unique and I learnt something I can now make at home.”

The Pizza Muffins workshop is open to children of all ages and skill levels and will take place throughout the 12-day annual festival being organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) at the Sharjah Expo Centre. “Whether they're budding chefs or just starting out in the kitchen or just someone who loves food, participants are sure to have a blast as they roll up their sleeves and get cooking,” said Msallam, a regular at SCRF. "It's a great opportunity for children to learn new skills, explore their creativity, and, most importantly, have fun!"

SCRF, running until May 12 in Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme 'Once Upon a Hero', will feature a diverse array of over 1,500 cultural, creative, and edutainment activities led by 265 esteemed guests representing 25 countries, alongside the participation of 186 publishers from 20 nations.