Letters

The launch of my self-published dessert cookbook A Confectioner’s Secrets – for which GulfWeekly provided fabulous pre-launch coverage – took place recently at The Raven’s Nest in Budaiya and was a tremendous success.

The event was graced by chief guests Mohammed Ismail, Yusuf Mohammed, family and friends and the very lovely MC Sadiya Sheikh took us through it flawlessly.

A short video trailer was played followed by a speech and a PowerPoint presentation. There were also many beautiful heart-touching reviews from people who have been on this incredible journey with me.

A Confectioner’s Secret is my debut self-published desserts and baking cookbook which targets people with different skill levels. You could be a beginner or a seasoned professional baker, there’s something interesting for everyone.

I realised that there were many around me with a penchant for baking who wouldn’t step into the arena for fear of not getting the best results. This got me into conducting baking workshops and writing this book. Baking is fun and easy but can be undeniably daunting for a few.

The aim of this book is to turn the most reluctant novice into the keenest baker and to help practicing bakers step up their game.

I am a self-taught baker and recipe developer. It’s been exciting trying new cake flavours, tasting from the best patisseries and recreating them in my kitchen with reckless abandon. I have made most of these recipes repeatedly for friends and family!

Each is accompanied with a picture and the chapters include step-by-step recipes of bakes for breakfast, teatime treats and desserts for celebrations and soirees.

The beauty about food is that it transcends all barriers. It always brings people together; it’s a source of love and helps foster stronger connections.

 I want to reach out to everyone from different cultures, nationalities and culinary preferences to make the journey ahead a sweet and memorable one.

The cookbook, priced BD11, has 140 pages and includes professionally taken pictures taken by food photographer Ali Taleb. Zahra Al Alaiwat, a brilliant artist and graphic designer, has designed the book and its cover.

Mubina Maqbool.

Editor’s note: The books are available from Jashanmal stores and The Word Bookstore Café. For more details visit Instagram @meltingmomentss. The e-book version of A Confectioner’s Secrets is available on Amazon too.

Adnan Sport Events Management is pleased to announce plans to organise a charity Fun & Health Day Out on Friday, December 14, at 1pm, at the Corniche Al Ghoos Park, supporting Bahrain Cancer Society.

It is open to all – both sexes, all nationalities, from age eight and above. You can cycle, run or walk the 5.3km route or even participate in all the events.

Please register online at www.adnanevents.org. There’s an entry fee of BD2 per event. All those registered will receive a race number, a BD2 WAFI shopping voucher, a medal at the finish-line and a certificate will be emailed to each participant.

Entertainment on the day of the event will include a bazaar, face painting and there will also be a DJ playing favourite tunes.

Various hospitals will also offer free check-ups with medical assistance and an ambulance in attendance if needed.

There will also be six water stations en-route, plus water refreshments at the start and finish line.

For further information call 39132102, email adnan@adnanevents.org and visit www.adnanevents.org, Facebook.com/AdnanEventsBH and Instagram @adnaneventsbh

Adnan, event director.

Parents of children with food allergies are being warned to watch for signs of ‘allergy bullying’ – a growing problem with an impact that ranges from hurtful to deadly.

Research has found that about one third of children with food allergies report being targeted by bullies as a result. Comments such as ‘We can’t have parties because of the food allergies that Jimmy has,’ or more aggressive ones, where they’re saying: ‘I’m going to hide peanut butter in your food’,” were amongst the incidents reported.

Perpetrators may threaten or taunt their victims with potentially dangerous food such as peanuts or peanut butter.

Parents whose offspring reported being bullied about a food allergy should notify the school and insist staff intervene. However, many children targeted because of their food allergies often don’t report such incidents to their parents, making it vital to know the warning signs.

These include a change in behaviour, such as being sad, upset, or withdrawn. If they have a real aversion to going to school, you want to get to the bottom of it. If there’s something more, something deeper, you’d want to be there and have open communication at all times so that you can deal with it.”

Sandra Hong, MD and allergist at Cleveland Clinic.

We regret to announce the passing of former US President George H.W. Bush on November 30, 2018, in the United States, at 94 years of age.

The embassy earlier this week opened a condolence book for all American citizens to express their sympathies and honour his memory. 

President George H.W. Bush dedicated his life to serving his country and the American public in the military, in domestic politics and foreign affairs.

He was truly a ‘point of light’ who inspired others to public service. He was a devoted husband and dedicated father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

To visit the official George H. W. Bush Memorial website, please visit www.georgehwbush.com

Sincerely,

AmCham Bahrain Team.

Editor’s note: George H.W. Bush was president from 1989 to 1993. His funeral service is set for today at Washington National Cathedral. Afterward, he be returned to Houston to lie in repose at St Martin’s Episcopal Church before burial tomorrow at his family plot.