SCRF 2025 blends stories and world cuisines at Cookery Corner

The 12-day cultural extravaganza welcomes over 30 world-renowned chefs to lead more than 85 culinary activities, including live cooking shows and hands-on workshops, inviting visitors to roll up their sleeves and immerse themselves in a feast of creativity, culture, and taste.

The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), held at Expo Centre Sharjah from April 23 to May 4, 2025, under the theme “Dive into Books”, will see the launch of an expansive Cookery Corner. This lively space will host a rich programme of live cooking shows and interactive workshops that bring together top chefs from around the globe, offering educational and entertaining culinary experiences for children and families.

Hands-on kitchen fun for kids

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority and held at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme “Dive into Books”, the Cookery Corner will host hands-on workshops that introduce young participants to creative and fun recipes in a safe and stimulating environment. Children will enjoy activities such as making mochi ice cream, edible slime, fruit and vegetable monsters, healthy popcorn mixes, frozen yoghurt bark, bubble waffles, marshmallow pops, colourful pasta, and shaping bread into animal forms. They will also explore boba tea creations, cheesecake jars, and learn the basics of homemade ice cream.

Live cooking shows with international chefs

More than 30 live cooking shows will be featured at the Cookery Corner, bringing together renowned chefs to showcase dishes inspired by global cuisines. Samira Kazan, author of The Lebanese Kitchen and creator of the popular Alphafoodie platform, joins the line-up alongside Palestinian chefs Heifa Odeh and Maha Kailani, who will present cherished family recipes rooted in Levantine heritage. Indian celebrity chef Asma Khan will captivate audiences with her signature fusion of tradition and innovation.

From Mexico, Karla Zazueta will add a fiery flair with the bold flavours of Latin America. At the same time, Karima Hazim, known for her “Sunday Kitchen” series, will share heartfelt Lebanese dishes that evoke warmth, tradition, and family memories.

Educational cooking shows for aspiring young chefs

The festival will also present a series of educational cooking experiences designed to inspire the next generation of chefs. Social media personalities Albert Niazhvinski and Patrick Zeinali will lead energetic and imaginative demonstrations. At the same time, Chef Dario Stephen, known as Chef D from the show "Kids Can Cook," will guide young participants through fun, accessible recipes to spark their culinary curiosity.

Chef Zahra Alli bhai will showcase globally inspired dishes, and nutritionist and bestselling author Liliane Zaher will share wholesome, flavourful recipes along with practical tips for healthy eating. Radhika Howarth will bring bold, modern Indian cuisine to the stage, while Malaysian chef Norman Musa will introduce traditional recipes enriched with distinctive herbs and sauces.

A holistic festival programme for young minds

Beyond the kitchen, SCRF 2025 offers a rich line-up of workshops, panel discussions, live shows, and literary events designed to inspire creativity and broaden young minds. The festival will also feature authors, illustrators, and publishers in readings, signings, and cultural sessions that connect young readers with the world of books. The full schedule is available at https://scrf.ae.