Food museum to serve Qatari cuisine at London event today

The Food Forum of Qatar's National Museum (QMA) today introduces in London the culinary traditions and influences of Qatari cuisine at Books for Cooks. Qatari Chef Aisha Al-Tamimi and a team from the Food Forum will be showcasing Qatar's culinary delights at the two-day event in London as part of Qatar-UK 2013 Year of Culture. During the demonstration Al-Tamimi a prominent culinary figure in Qatar, will be joined by Anissa Helou a London-based cookbook author, teacher and chef, specialising in the cuisines of the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. The duo will create a number of traditional Qatari dishes such as marguga, a delightful Qatari 'pasta' dish with vegetables; and mashbuss, a traditional rice dish with chicken and spices. The event forms part of the National Museum of Qatar's Food Forum  the first official programme in the UK showcasing Qatari cuisine and Qatars culinary heritage during Nour Festival in London, as part of the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture. The Food Forum will present other traditional Arabic cuisines to a wide audience in order to activate interest in protecting traditional Qatari foodways, as well as exploring how they are affected by various outside influences and how this reflects cultural change. Co-ordinated by the QMAy and the British Council, Qatar UK 2013 is a year-long cultural exchange programme between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations by creating lasting partnerships between institutions and individuals. Mutual recognition, understanding and appreciation of Qatari and British cultures have been cultivated through over 80 entertaining and educational events throughout the year in both nations. (QNA)