Yum Yum treasure trove

THE_Yum Yum Tree food court -_one of the island's first eating out destinations offering food-lovers a variety of popular cuisines under one roof - continues to attract thousands of diners each day.

The concept warms the hearts and satisfies the hunger with its recipe for convenience, long opening hours and fresh food prepared by a team of cooks right in front of customers.

More yummy, yummy than Yum Yum the dishes on offer include tastes from Arabic to Italian, from salads to burgers and soups to desserts available from a range of stations.

The food court consists of various 'food concepts' including Mrs Vanellis, Teriyaki, Al Mangal, Subway, Tutti Fruiti, China Town, Popeyes, Tiki-Ming, Cultures, Pad Thai, Sukiyaki, Sushi Shop, Teriyaki Experience and Kabab-ji.

Bahraini couple Mohammed and Ameena, from Budaiya, make a weekly trip to the Yum Yum Tree on Exhibition Road in Hoora just to tuck into their favourite food. "The food at Vanellis is really tasty and we come here every week - mainly for their pastas."

Cook Thirthraj Niraula, 23, said: "I'm Asian and have never had a chance to try Italian cuisine back home. Coming here, we are able to not only train to prepare it but we also have grown really fond of eating it ourselves!"

Not just a favourite amongst the island's residents, the food court has also impressed frequent visitors from neighbouring Gulf states.

Mohammed Hussain, 42, from Kuwait, is a regular at the outlet on his frequent trips to Bahrain.

He said: "I enjoy a meal every time I visit the island. This is a very comfortable and quiet place with a warm family atmosphere."

On a business trip from Doha, Maha Mohammed, 25, also enjoyed coming back to the food court. "I like the pasta too," she added.

Each food station is managed by a head cook conjuring palatable wonders right in front of your eyes.

Sulaiman Os at the Al Mangal station keeps busy preparing fresh grills aside from a display of traditional Arabic cuisine.

He said: "I came to Bahrain from Turkey 12 years ago and I really enjoy working here ... so much that I feel very much at home and don't wish to leave here anytime too soon!"

Jerwin Laberinto from the Philippines has been serving up a feast of Japanese teriyaki and sushi for customers at the food court for the past year-and-a-half.

He said: "Most of our customers are familiar with the cuisine but there are some that we need to explain the dishes to. The pressures are higher here as compared with a fine-dining restaurant as customers need to be lured to come to your stand.

"The experience has been great, however, as each day I learn more about customer relations and am learning to interact with them well to be able to serve them better."

Joseph Thomas, 39, from India, is perpetually busy stirring up boiled vegetables in his wok at China Town. Pouring out some soup into a bowl, he said: "I have worked in food courts before - in Dubai and India. It is fun. I have always been cooking Chinese but on my breaks, I normally grab an Arabic grill."

The Yum Yum Tree concept was the brain child of fast-food chain Gulf Consumer Company president and founder Dr Adel Bukhowa.

He believed in a vision that went 'beyond the conventional' with the 'novel concept of 'restaurants within a restaurant'.

The company holds master franchise rights for a number of food concepts from MTY Group in Canada for the Middle East including Mrs Vanellis, Tiki-Ming, Cultures, Pad Thai, Sukiyaki and Sushi Shop alongside Teriyaki Experience from Donato Group.

It holds franchise rights for Kabab-ji, China Town and Al Mangal and is development agents for Subway and Popeyes.

The Tutti Fruiti is the company's own concept.

The company, which has 14 outlets around the kingdom, is set to open four new branches this year in Hamad Town, Muharraq, Country Mall in Budaiya and Bahrain City Centre in Manama.

The food courts remain open from 10am to 2am daily.