SRF 2025 brings joy to children through “Young Chef” Competition

Sharjah24: The 35th edition of the Sharjah Ramadan Festival (SRF) continues to captivate Sharjah’s residents and visitors with a dynamic mix of shopping, entertainment, and cultural activities designed to enhance the festive ambience of the holy fasting month across the emirate.

Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the festival, which will continue until March 31, features a diverse range of engaging events, including interactive competitions celebrating the spiritual essence of Ramadan.

A key attraction is the “Young Chef” Competition, a special culinary contest for children, which was hosted by 06 Mall on Tuesday. The event, set to run until Wednesday evening, aimed at creating a joyful and engaging atmosphere while fostering community engagement with the festival in a creative and impactful manner.

The competition’s opening day was attended by H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; H.E Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI, and Jamal Saeed Bouzanjal, Director of Corporate Communication at SCCI and General Coordinator of Sharjah Ramadan Festival.

Also present were Aisha Saleh, Director of Festivals and Promotions Department at SCCI and official spokesperson for the Sharjah Ramadan Festival, and Amal Ibrahim Al Hosani, Head of Media and Marketing Department at SCCI and Chair of the Festival’s Media Committee.

The competition’s inaugural day also saw notable engagement from visitors, shoppers, and families, with young contestants showcasing their culinary skills. Moderated by Aisha Hamid Al Khayal, the competition fostered a dynamic and competitive atmosphere, where young participants demonstrated their culinary talents in preparing Ramadan specialties.

With the audience enthusiastically supporting and encouraging children during the competition’s first day, the festival’s activities are carefully curated to provide thrilling and engaging experiences for its "young champions”. The 38-day festival ensures children enjoy moments filled with fun, creativity, and family bonding in an energetic and joyful environment that fosters learning and social interaction.

Beyond its captivating promotional campaigns and cultural and artistic programmes, the festival features Ramadan-themed handicraft workshops dedicated to children, in addition to entertainment activities, bazaars, and food festivals organised by shopping centers in celebration of the holy month.

In her remarks, Amal Al Hosani said that the “Young Chef” Competition is an innovative initiative debuted by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of the 35th Sharjah Ramadan Festival’s agenda. It is designed to promote the festival’s unique and enriching shopping experience and complements its diverse entertainment and cultural activities.

“The competition aims to foster community engagement, strengthen social bonds, and create an atmosphere of joy and interaction among children and their families,” she added.

Al Hosani noted that the competition is part of the Sharjah Chamber’s community-driven initiatives to enhance quality of life, instill values of tolerance, and promote happiness and positivity. She also highlighted the competition’s role in nurturing creativity among children, boosting their self-confidence, and developing their skills in teamwork, collaboration, and constructive competition.

At the end of the ceremony, H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais honoured the “Young Chef” Competition’s key partners, represented by the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence, with the recognition certificate received by Aliya Ibrahim Al Hosani, the Award’s Director.

The judging panel and the winning children—Omar Hamad Al Hammadi, Al Anoud Ali Abdullah, Aisha Mohammed Al Ali, Ibrahim Hamad Al Hammadi, Mahra Mohammed Al Hammadi, and Alya Mohammed Al Tunaiji—were also recognised. Al Owais awarded them certificates of appreciation and valuable prizes, commending their remarkable talents and skills.

The Sharjah Ramadan Festival 2025, organised in collaboration with various local government entities, features an engaging lineup of cultural, entertainment, and commercial activities.

Shoppers have also the opportunity to win valuable prizes every week offered by participating shopping malls and retail outlets. These incentives are complemented by exceptional promotional offers and exclusive discounts, reinforcing the festival’s role in stimulating consumer engagement.