Suzanne Husseini and other top chefs cooking live at Love Food Festival

Chef and television-cookery-show veteran Suzanne Husseini will show guests how to cook the food she’s famous for – modern Arabian cuisine – and share the stories behind her favourite dishes.

Suzanne Husseini’s cooking demonstrations will focus on modern Arabian cuisine. Courtesy Real Food Festivals

Chef and television- cookery-show veteran Suzanne Husseini, who splits her time between Canada and Dubai, is one of the top names making an appearance on the chef’s stage in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi during the Love Food Festival.

“It’s a long way to come from Canada, but it is a wonderful opportunity to be welcomed and be a part of these fabulous food festivals,” says Husseini, who will show guests how to cook the food she’s famous for – modern Arabian cuisine – and share the stories behind her favourite dishes.

“I enjoy the interaction with people and feeding them. It’s so nice to cook and share the stage with other wonderful chefs.”

Born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents, and raised in Canada, Husseini hosted one of the most popular Arabic cooking shows in the Middle East, Sohbe Taibe, and is the author of two cookbooks – When Suzanne Cooks and Modern Flavors of Arabia. She is also a regular guest on local and international TV cookery shows, a guest judge on Top Chef Middle East, and she is currently working on recipes for her next cookbook.

Husseini believes foodies in Abu Dhabi are hungry for events such as Love Food Festival.

“In a multicultural city like Abu Dhabi, events like this are key,” she says. “What could be better than food to bring everyone together and make delicious discoveries? And Love Food Festival is showcasing the food of the street. The simple, wholesome food we all crave, no booking or reservation needed.

“Street food is accessible and affordable. It’s fast and casual. It’s a great recipe for success. It’s a lovely day out for the family. Good food, music and fresh air.”

Husseini will host cookery demonstrations in Al Ain at 7pm on Thursday; 4pm and 8pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday. In Mushrif Central Park, she’ll host demonstrations at 9pm on February 18; at 5pm and 7pm on February 19 and at 7pm on February 20.

Also appearing are Andy Bates of Food Network UK; international baking star Eric “Cake Boy” Lanlard, whose fans include Madonna and Elton John; Kevin Gratton, the head chef of Hix Restaurant group, who worked with Marco Pierre White before teaming up with chef and restaurateur Mark Hix; and Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli, whose London restaurant, Locanda­ Locatelli, has held a Michelin star since 2003. While most of the chefs will lead several sessions throughout both weekends, Locatelli will only host one – in Al Ain on Friday at 7pm.