Sharjah24: The cookery workshops at the ongoing 15th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) are a hit among children of all ages and nationalities. “Every session has attracted at least a dozen enthusiastic young chefs,” remarked Lamia Salam, the culinary instructor, while guiding the children in crafting Oreo parfaits during a Saturday morning class.

“I love Oreos,” chirped nine-year-old Georgia Tebble, deftly pressing the crumbled cookies into her cup to eliminate air gaps, readying it for a generous pour of rich vanilla sauce. Beside her, seven-year-old sister Madeline was just starting to crush her Oreos. “Call me Maddie,” she beamed, “that's what I'll name my bakery someday!”

At another table, ten-year-old Marwah showed off her skill with a pressurised whip cream dispenser as she adorned her parfait. “I've really been enjoying the festival. It's my third visit in four days, and I've already tried my hand at pizza muffins, candle making, car crafting from wood, and sewing,” she shared.

Since the festival's opening, the cookery workshops have been consistently full, a testament to their popularity. This year's festival, held at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 12, is seeing a remarkable turnout, fuelled perhaps by the influence of social media and a burgeoning interest in confectioneries and finger foods among the youth. 

Numerous children of the same age group flocking the SCRF 2024 Cookery Corner have taken to platforms like YouTube and Instagram to share their culinary adventures, amassing significant followings and views.

“This is my fifth year teaching at the festival, and the pizza muffins are always a favourite. Everybody loves pizza,” Lamia said, delighted by this year's increased attendance. “Interestingly, some of the boys are showing impressive cooking and decorating skills,” she added.

The 12-day festival, now in its 15th edition, offers more than just a celebration of the written word. With over 1,500 activities designed for the holistic development of children, it reflects the evolving interests of today’s youth. 

The festival is free to attend. More details about the festival’s extensive programme can be found at www.scrf.ae.