Dates for the diary

The Seef Junior Superstars’ second annual children’s talent show is hosting its grand final at Seef Mall on November 20. The show features talented children aged five to 13 who can act, sing, dance, tell jokes or display gymnastic prowess. For more information, visit www.seefjuniorsuperstars.com

The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, Manama, is hosting an evening with former Irish international footballers Jason McAteer and John Aldridge. Also joining the evening is Irish comedian Rory O’Hanlon, as are the Irish band The B Side.

The event will take place on November 21 at 8pm.

For tickets and reservations, call 34516455 or email tickets@sportsspeakermena.com

The American Women’s Association (AWA) Snowflake Craft Fair will take place on November 22 at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa. It is open from 11am-4pm. To apply for a registration pack, send an email to craftfair@awabahrain.org

The Bahrain Caledonian Society Awali Club is presenting its annual St Andrews Ball to be held at the Bapco Club, Awali, on November 27. The event costs BD25 per person. For tickets, call Alistair on 39418468, Paul on 39418468 or email alistairwoods@me.com. Limited tickets are also available from the Bapco Club.

The first heat of the 2nd Annual Master Chef competition at the Cucina Italiana restaurant in Juffair took place on Sunday night.

Five competitors put their culinary skills to the test. Contestants were sent a list of permitted ingredients just a couple of days before the contest to ensure a level playing field, with consent to bring one or two individual specialities to add flavour to the dish. They were then given 45 minutes to prepare, cook and present their dishes.

Two cooks impressed the judges enough to progress to the semi-finals: Michela Calvaresi, 38, a housewife who has lived in Bahrain for a year, and Nicolas Ciavarella, 51, from Amwaj Islands, a police officer in charge of security at the Italian Embassy.

Nicolas progressed after his delicious take on tagliatelle con funghi porcini and was delighted with his progress: “The feeling of taking part in a contest of Master Chef and getting through is indescribable for someone like me who loves cooking.”

Michela struck a chord with the judges’ palate with her parmigiana dish. She said: “My passion is cooking and I’ve had a love for Italian cuisine most of my life – ever since my mother taught me. I’m very happy to progress and I could not believe it when I heard the judges call my name.”

Event host and judge Pete Lyons, who runs the restaurant company which includes Cucina Italiana, said: “Last year the restaurant hosted cooking classes that proved extremely popular, and so the Master Chef competition evolved from that as we wanted to do something unique in the kingdom.

“Last year we held our first Master Chef competition on a smaller scale, but it really took off and this year we have generated even more interest. At our first heat we even had TV and radio crews cover the event!”

The remaining heats will run every Sunday and Tuesday until November 25, with the semis and final running in December. Each heat will take place from 5.30-7pm and members of the public are invited to come and watch.

For more information, call 17001317 or email manager@cucinaitaliana.com.bh

The FIA World Endurance Championship - 6 hours of Bahrain will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, on Friday and Saturday.

Off-the-track entertainment includes a performance by award-winning Egyptian artist Tamer Hosny, starting at 9pm on Saturday. The concert will be held on the Main Stage of the BIC vending area located behind the Main Grandstand and will only be open to WEC ticket holders.

Hailing from Cairo, the star’s wide-ranging popularity has led to collaborations with international music superstars such as Snoop Dogg, Shaggy and Akon.

The event will also feature a drift and wing-suit dual stunt by Abdo Feghali and Jokke Sommer at 2pm on Saturday.

Furthermore, The General Directorate of Traffic is organising an exhibition of classic cars at the event, which is being held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Bahrain’s first car. The event will also include safety awareness talks and the history of traffic operations.

Tickets to the Six Hours of Bahrain are being sold at the BIC sales outlet at City Centre Bahrain located on the ground level near Gate Three. They can also be bought online from BIC’s official website, www.bahraingp.com, or by calling the BIC Hotline on 17450000. Tickets are BD20 each for adults and BD10 for children aged 12 and younger. Toddlers up to three years will be able to attend with their families for free.

Al Rashid Group is set to host its sixth annual Beat Diabetes Walkathon on Saturday afternoon at Dohat Arad Park.

Those interested can register at Oasis Centre Muharraq, Oasis Centre East Riffa, Marina Mall, Centrepoint, Home Centre, Max & Fitness First or on the website www.beatdiabetes.me

All registered participants will receive the walkathon kit comprising a Beat Diabetes T-shirt, cap and wristband on the day.

The walkathon spans a distance of approximately three kilometres around the circumference of the Arad Park boundary. A host of family-centric activities will be built around the walkathon, featuring games, free blood glucose screening and live entertainment.

Last year more than 5,000 participants from across the kingdom took part.

To join in Saturday’s fun after registering meet at 2pm at Entrance 1 and collect your goodies. The walk will take place at 4pm.

* The World Diabetes Walkathon, organised by the Gulf Diabetic Specialist Centre, will take place on Friday at the Lagoon in Amwaj Islands to coincide with World Diabetes Day. The event will start at 4pm and will include live music, a DJ, face painting, henna, zumba sessions, child activities and free blood tests.

Registration is free and can be made on the day from 2.45-3.45pm. For more information, call 17239164 or 39912317.

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa is offering a programme of dancing classes starting tomorrow. They will run every week and the schedule is as follows:
* Belly dancing: every Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 3-4pm.
Price: BD10 for standard classes & BD15 for private classes.
* Salsa dancing: every Thursday & Friday from 4-5pm.
Price: BD10 for standard classes & BD15 for private classes.
* Yoga class: Every day except Monday from 9-10am and from 5-6pm.
Price: BD7 for standard classes & BD20 for private classes.
* Zumba dance: Every Thursday & Friday from 6-7pm.

Price: BD10 for standard classes & BD15 for private classes.

For reservations or more information, call 17636391.