Making pizza can be art. In Sharjah, it’s also a comedy. Diners trekking to the northern emirate’s 10th Food Festival have an array of entertainment shows to choose from this week, in addition to meeting top chefs.
Among them are daily shows by the Italian artist Raoul, also known as the Pizza Guy, who is performing at the festival’s four destinations: Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Qasba, Heart of Sharjah and Al Montazah.
Comedy
It is well known that the preparation of pizza, which needs several ingredients, is usually done within the walls of the kitchen, but with Raoul, it’s a totally different story. He likes to toss his pizza in public places, especially among kids, while combining comedy, improvisation and interactive gags that make people laugh.
Since the first day of the festival, Raoul was able to draw the attention of visitors by the comic way in which he prepared the pizza. He pays little attention to numbers and surprises the audience – relying on his ‘sleight of hand’ – by flipping the pizza dough and making it ‘fly’ over his head.
Also performing this month is the Venezuelan artist Katay Santos, who has been able to impress the audience with his exceptional ability to balance things, and his talent of mixing contemporary dance and acrobatics to amaze people and make them laugh. Children gathered around him and followed him while performing his art at the festival’s four destination. Santos is known for his wit, sense of humour and agility on the stage, and his breath-taking ability to balance chairs on his head, or climb them.
Success
Launched in 2007, Sharjah Food Festival previously held its events and activities only in the emirate’s Al Qasba area. However, due to the remarkable success it has recorded in its first eight editions, which have seen an ever-growing number of visitors and tourists, Shurooq’s management decided to spread the range of the festival for the ninth edition to take place in four of Sharjah’s tourism destinations.
“The Sharjah Food Festival expanded from Al Qasba to other locations in the emirate, so we are delighted to welcome its returns to its original home - Sharjah’s premier family and leisure destination. I invite all food enthusiasts in Sharjah, the UAE and outside the country to come to Al Qasba to experience great cuisine, top entertainment and the chance to learn new cooking skills,” said Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Operating Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).
The Sharjah Food Festival features plenty of activities for children, such as the Sesame Street Cooking Academy that will take place near to the Eye of the Emirates along the Al Qasba walkway. The zone will have a cupcake decoration workshop, vegetable and fruit workshop, an Elmo and Bert sandwich stand and a stall selling the Cookie Monster’s famous cookies.
The event is organized by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and runs until April 9.
