Creative performances unite chefs and artists for a series of unique experiences.

Chefs and artists get together for a key annual festival hosted by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, which returns for its sixth edition between March 6 and April 3 offering lots of activities that build a bridge between the culinary arts with other creative and artistic forms.

These events include joint presentations by the artists and chefs, along with workshops and food tours to discover the flavours of the Kingdom. This year, registration is required via the authority’s website www.culture.gov.bh for those interested in attending the events, in line with the precautionary and preventative measures in place to limit the spread of Covid-19. As with every year,

Food is Culture aims to create a point of intersection between various fields of art, bringing chefs from different backgrounds together with several artists, ultimately presenting their creative works that reflect their cooperation. This year, the chefs lined up are Chef Irvin Martinez from Cantina Kahlo, founder of Mt. Fuji Kakigori and Dessert House, Abdullah Bindayna, creator of Isolated Eats, Tabea Lutz, sourdough baker, Layal Dana, and the duo behind Alabaster & Cannoli, Lara Al Abbasi and Maria Knowles. The artists taking part are the celebrated multimedia artist Ghada Khunji, psychedelic pop band Do You Really Like It?, the two rising fine artists Salman Najem and May Hejiri, and eco-conscious fashion designer Amal Rafie.

Audiences will interactively engage with the topics each pair has explored on their presentation day, as spectators will be able to taste the recipes the chefs have created while marvelling at a showcase of original artworks, sounds and more by their partners. Unlike previous years, each pair will present their work at different cultural locations across Bahrain, namely the Bahrain National Museum, The Pearling Path Visitors Centre, Jasra Handicraft Centre, Riffa Fort and the Archaeologies of Green Pavilion.

The aim is to showcase these exquisite cultural sites and breathe new life into them. Beyond weekly presentations at the various cultural locations, the entire process will be documented in the form of an e-book and documentary. In addition, there are several adjacent activities and events. The local learning platform Maximize will be offering a range of virtual cooking workshops with two previous Food is Culture participants, Hessa Al Khalifa will be hosting her vegetable dumpling cooking workshop on March 10, and Lulwa Suwailah will teach how to make baked cheesecake on March 20. Learn how to make chicken machboose with a modern twist with Zahraa Alherz’s workshop on March 13. One of Bahrain’s most prominent food bloggers, Zainab Akbar, will lead food tours, in Muharraq on March 13, and Manama on March 19. ✤

GO: FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.CULTURE.GOV.BH OR FOLLOW @CULTUREBAH.