Latest news with #Skilldeer
Gulf Today
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Frozen yoghurt workshop steals the limelight
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter Few things capture the exuberance of childhood quite like a cookery workshop filled with colour, laughter, and the promise of something delicious. The ongoing Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) served up just such an experience in its much-loved Cookery Corner, inviting children as young as five to roll up their sleeves for a session dedicated to making — and tasting — frozen yoghurt bark. A staple of social media feeds and family kitchens alike, frozen yoghurt bark is enjoying a moment in the spotlight, celebrated for its versatility and appeal to all ages. At SCRF 2025, however, it was the youngest festivalgoers who stole the show, donning aprons and hairnets with the eager determination of seasoned chefs. 'Each of our recipes is carefully selected,' explained Noha AlKhoury, chef and instructor with Skilldeer, a long-standing workshop partner at SCRF. 'In an age dominated by convenience and grab-and-go snacks, teaching children to create something healthy and delicious with their own hands fosters not just skills, but lifelong habits.' The workshop was a choreography of curiosity and delight. Little hands reached for tubs of creamy yoghurt, before adding dashes of vanilla essence, golden honey, and a generous sprinkling of nuts. Some experimented with swirls and patterns using forks. Once mixed and decorated, their creations were whisked away to the freezer — though a pre-prepared batch meant no child had to wait long to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Safety and nutrition were central throughout and all ingredients arranged with careful attention to hygiene and dietary needs. The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival continues to cement its reputation as one of the region's premier events for young people, bringing together more than 30 celebrated authors, illustrators, and voices from the world of children's and young adult literature. This year's 12-day festival is a vibrant tapestry of events, from theatrical performances and hands-on STEM workshops to culinary adventures and digital literacy courses. Admission to SCRF is free, offering families a rare opportunity to explore, create, and discover together in an environment designed to nourish both mind and spirit. For more information on upcoming workshops and events, visit .
Sharjah 24
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Frozen Yoghurt workshop ignites mind on health at SCRF
A staple of social media feeds and family kitchens alike, frozen yoghurt bark is enjoying a moment in the spotlight, celebrated for its versatility and appeal to all ages. At SCRF 2025, however, it was the youngest festivalgoers who stole the show, donning aprons and hairnets with the eager determination of seasoned chefs. 'Each of our recipes is carefully selected,' explained Noha AlKhoury, chef and instructor with Skilldeer, a long-standing workshop partner at SCRF. 'In an age dominated by convenience and grab-and-go snacks, teaching children to create something healthy and delicious with their own hands fosters not just skills, but lifelong habits.' The workshop was a choreography of curiosity and delight. Little hands reached for tubs of creamy yoghurt, before adding dashes of vanilla essence, golden honey, and a generous sprinkling of nuts. Some experimented with swirls and patterns using forks. Once mixed and decorated, their creations were whisked away to the freezer—though a pre-prepared batch meant no child had to wait long to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Safety and nutrition were central throughout and all ingredients arranged with careful attention to hygiene and dietary needs. The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival continues to cement its reputation as one of the region's premier events for young people, bringing together more than 30 celebrated authors, illustrators, and voices from the world of children's and young adult literature. This year's 12-day festival is a vibrant tapestry of events, from theatrical performances and hands-on STEM workshops to culinary adventures and digital literacy courses. Admission to SCRF is free, offering families a rare opportunity to explore, create, and discover together in an environment designed to nourish both mind and spirit. For more information on upcoming workshops and events, visit
Sharjah 24
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
SCRF's popular cookery corner bubbles with joy… and Boba
Always attuned to what excites and inspires young hearts The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) - always attuned to what excites and inspires young hearts - features this popular drink in one of its much-loved cookery workshops. Children aged 12 and above are invited to learn not just the craft, but the sheer delight of brewing their own Boba Tea. Boba Tea On Wednesday, the session opened with Aurora Sitjar, the workshop facilitator from Skilldeer, calling out, 'Who has heard of Boba Tea?' A chorus of eager voices replied: 'Us!' She followed up with, 'Who likes Boba Tea?' - and the response was even louder, underscoring the drink's extraordinary popularity with the festival's young audience. For the uninitiated, Boba - black, glistening tapioca pearls made from cassava root - are the soul of this beverage. During the workshop, children learned to prepare Boba using dried pearls, carefully simmered until translucent and chewy. Meanwhile, the young participants were handed chocolate syrup to drizzle along the insides of their cups, transforming a simple drink into an edible work of art. Once the pearls were ready, the children faced a delicious dilemma: opt for a classic milk tea, or the fresher, fruitier Boba juice? Twelve-year-old Hezza Zayan was already planning her Boba comeback. 'I love Boba Tea, but we don't go out as often as I'd like to have it. Now that I know how to make it, I'll give it a go at home too, and I'll be able to have it as often as I want,' she said, her eyes alight with newfound culinary confidence. Workshops like these go beyond recipes - they equip children with life skills, nurture creativity, and foster independence, all under the wider banner of SCRF's commitment to holistic learning. This year, the SCRF cookery programme features workshops of recipes from around the world and homemade ice creams to healthy options such as fruit and veggie monsters and popcorn mixes. Running from April 23 to May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, SCRF is a celebration not just of reading, but of curiosity in all its forms. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the event's rich programme features over 600 interactive workshops, live performances, and hands-on activities. SCRF 2025 invites families to 'Dive into Books', and discover a world where stories leap off the page into every corner of life For more information on this free-to-attend event, visit
