SIBF 2025 fuses global culture and cuisine at Cookery Corner

October 23, 2025 / 1:58 PM

Sharjah 24: The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) is poised to ignite the senses with a delightful celebration of global cuisine, merging literature and gastronomy into an immersive experience. From 5 to 16 November, the Cookery Corner will host 35 live cooking sessions over 12 days, bringing together 14 renowned chefs from around the world to showcase their culinary artistry and share their stories through food.

The Cookery Corner, a cherished feature of SIBF, transforms the festival into a cultural melting pot where visitors can explore world flavours, discover culinary traditions, and experience storytelling through taste. Each chef will demonstrate signature dishes that reflect their heritage, creativity, and personal journey.

Chefs bringing global flavours to Sharjah

The programme, featuring Chef Noor Murad from November 5 to 7, reimagines Gulf, Persian, and Indian traditions with a fresh, inventive touch. From November 7 to 9, Chef Hisham Assad showcases bold Lebanese and Palestinian flavours, followed by Chef Fadi Kattan from November 14 to 16, presenting dishes deeply rooted in Palestinian heritage.

Chef Philip Khoury, the Lebanese-Australian pastry innovator, takes the spotlight on 7 and 8 November, reinventing classic desserts with a plant-based twist that balances indulgence and sustainability. Meanwhile, Chef Hawa Hassan, the Somali-American author of *In Bibi’s Kitchen*, shares East African heritage recipes on 6 and 8 November, connecting food and family through storytelling.

From 10 to 12 November, Mexican Chef Susana Villasuso brings vibrant South American flavours, while Ashia Ismail-Singer cooks from 11 to 13 November, weaving together her Memon Indian roots in Malawi, the UK, and New Zealand. Chef Woldy Reyes will be present from 8 to 10 November, blending Filipino traditions with seasonal modern interpretations.

On 8 and 9 November, Chef Anand George showcases his Indian culinary expertise by creating dishes that blend tradition with innovation. From 12 to 13 November, Chef Nasrin Rejali presents the warmth of Iranian home cooking from her Manhattan kitchen, while Chef Rachana Rimal offers Nepali classics that connect generations through shared flavours.

The exact dates also feature Chef Diaa Alhanoun, who revives Syrian comfort food with deep roots in Damascus. Bringing the programme to a close, Chef Wafaa shares the essence of Egyptian home cooking on 14 and 15 November. Chef Parth Bajaj wraps up the sessions on 15 and 16 November with innovative dishes inspired by Nagpur, showcasing his journey from engineering to culinary excellence.

A feast of culture and creativity

The Cookery Corner at SIBF 2025 aims to be an energetic gathering of culture, creativity, and cuisine, where every session becomes a cross-cultural exchange between chef and audience. Visitors will enjoy live demonstrations, sample tastings, and learn about the stories, heritage, and craftsmanship behind each dish.

Beyond the kitchen, SIBF 2025 will host more than 1,200 cultural, artistic, and creative events, featuring over 250 authors and creators from 66 Arab and international countries under the theme “Between You and a Book.” The festival continues to strengthen Sharjah’s position as a global hub for literature, culture, and creativity.