Eid Al Adha 2025: The biggest movies coming to Middle East cinemas
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The National
5 minutes ago
- The National
Meet the 16-year-old Emirati chef whose traditional desserts are going down a treat at Expo 2025 Osaka
With its inviting glass facade design and showcase of the country's past, present and future, the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has been popular with Japanese visitors. The National was recently invited for a tour of the pavilion's sections, and how they demonstrate the UAE's deep connection to its past, while striving towards a better future. During the tour, we were told we would be attending a workshop hosted by an Emirati chef. I assumed that it would be someone with a lot of experience, perhaps one of the chefs who put together the Emirati menu at the pavilion's restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the workshop would be hosted by Khalifa Mohammed Al Otaiba, who is only 16 years old. Even more surprising was the number of Japanese visitors who flocked for one of the limited seats available to attend the workshop. In the 30-minute sessions, scheduled twice on the same day, chef Al Otaiba first cooked luqaimat, a traditional Emirati dessert consisting of fried dough balls covered in date syrup. Often eaten during Ramadan, luqaimat is a staple Emirati dessert. Always presented with a cup of coffee, they are often used in UAE homes as a way to welcome guests. In the second workshop, Al Otaiba cooked sago, a traditional dessert made using tapioca pearls and cooked with saffron and rose water. It takes on a golden colour from the saffron and is the perfect way to end a rich Emirati meal. Throughout the workshops, Al Otaiba was aided by chef Francisco Araya, Al Otaiba's mentor at the International Centre for Culinary Arts in Abu Dhabi. 'I feel really proud that I'm representing my country,' Al Otaiba tells The National. 'I feel like it's a chance to inspire other young chefs and young people to pursue careers in cooking.' The passion Al Otaiba has for both cooking and the traditional Emirati desserts he's preparing really shone through in these workshops. Curious Japanese attendants were not at all concerned with the age of the chef, they hung on to every word and were looking to learn how to prepare these dishes, as well as taste them for themselves. After the sessions were over, many attendees approached the young chef to thank him for showing them something new and allowing them to taste a piece of the UAE that they would have only been able to experience if they visited the country. Al Otaiba was introduced to cooking by his sister. 'She introduced me to ICCA and when I went to the course, I had a lot of fun and I enjoyed it and now I'm pursuing this in my free time," he said. 'I'm more of a technical person. That's why I entered cooking because it's very technical.' Despite his evident passion and talent, Al Otaiba surprised attendees when he said that he hoped to become an engineer, rather than a full-time chef. Cooking will remain his biggest hobby, he assured. Chef Araya in-turn is not giving up on his protegee just yet. "He wants to be an engineer, but I'm just going to let him go to university and then catch him back because I need that Emirati talent, to show the world how good Emirati food is," he says. The UAE pavilion has been hosting Emirati cooking workshops since the start of the Expo. Earlier in July, Emirati chef Mohammed Al Banna, owner of popular Dubai restaurant Al Banoosh, hosted workshops where he cooked margoog, a hearty lamb and vegetable stew seasoned with spices and dried limes. The restaurant at Expo has also become a popular spot, serving authentic Emirati food, such as machboos, fish stew and a vegetarian eggplant option, presented in the style of Japanese bento boxes. Mariam Al Memari, deputy commissioner general and pavilion director, and head of UAE Expo Office says that they wanted traditional Emirati food to have a more Japanese presentation. 'We really wanted the Japanese audiences to get to know the Emirati culture through food. We've designed the restaurant offering in that sense,' Al Memari explains. 'We wanted to make it presentable to the Japanese by presenting it in a bento box, which is traditional to them. "They're really loving the restaurant and the Emirati cuisine, which is something that was surprising knowing the Japanese and their taste palate – and they queue for more than an hour every day to get in.'
The National
5 minutes ago
- The National
Timeframe: When the UAE was left spellbound by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Abu Dhabi is getting ready for a spellbinding experience as Harry Potter: The Exhibition comes to Manarat Al Saadiyat. But before the exhibition, the UAE was already captivated by the wizarding world created by J K Rowling as fans of the Boy Wizard turned out to Dubai's Mall of the Emirates for the book launch of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in July 2016. The book featured the script of the then-new two-part play of the same name, which had its official premiere in London's West End. Fans of the eagerly awaited novel turned out to the Virgin Megastore inside the mall at 2am to be among the first to get a copy. The book went on sale at 3am, to coincide with the midnight launch in the UK. To set the mood, the Harry Potter movie theme music played in the background as fans dressed up for the occasion. Some had lightning-shaped scars on their foreheads, created with make-up pencils, while others wore the wizard's signature round eyeglasses. A woman wore a lavender wig – probably in honour of Nymphadora Tonks, a witch who died while defending Hogwarts – while a Professor Snape look-alike was spotted, with the distinctive nose and severe black hairstyle, along with a touch of kohl around the eyes. Black picnic tables were set up at the entrance of the store to mimic the Hogwarts Great Hall, while gold and black balloons were on the floor. There was even one foil balloon in the shape of the Snitch – the winged ball used in the wizarding sport of Quidditch. Co-written by Rowling, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is set 19 years after the conclusion of the final novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It features a grown-up Harry, struggling to balance his life as a father of three and an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic.
UAE Moments
39 minutes ago
- UAE Moments
Habibi, Stay in Dubai This Summer! Hottest Stays for UAE Residents at Vida Hotels
Summer just got a whole lot cooler – and way more fabulous. UAE residents, it's time to pack your sunnies and prep your playlists, because Vida Hotels and Resorts is dropping the ultimate staycay deal you didn't know you needed. Think, up to 35% off your stay at dreamy Vida hotels and resorts in Dubai, breakfast on the house, free stays for the kiddos aged 12 years and below, and early check-in and check-out subject to availability at the time of arrival. Lounge by the pool with a mocktail in hand, feast on your favourites, or spend the afternoon exploring some of the UAE's most iconic neighborhoods. With sleek design, laid-back energy, and Instagram-worthy everything, Vida is where your summer glow-up begins. Whether you're craving beachfront bliss, marina vibes, skyline views, pet-friendly escapes or even a stay in the heart of the city, Vida's got you covered. Pack your bags and bring along your whole fam, because this summer, there's no better place to enjoy than right here at home! If you're a UAE resident, here's what's in store for you:
