With Christmas just a few weeks away, of course gingerbread is on our minds, so we have rounded up some of the best places to learn how to make the sweet festive treat and where to enjoy the savoury teatime bite.
Wilton Gingerbread Workshop
Book yourself into a Tavola/Wilton gingerbread house decorating workshop this season. The four-hour workshop teaches guests how to assemble and decorate their own house using cookies, icing, fondant and sweets. A Wilton-certified instructor will guide you through the step-by-step process. The workshop in Abu Dhabi is on December 23 and there's one in Sharjah on December 20. Starts from Dh350 per person or Dh550 for a pair. Booking and payment is required two days in advance. For locations, times and bookings, visit www.tavolashop.com/ae/gingerbread-house-decoration-workshops-9177.html
Towers Rotana, Dubai
This hotel’s restaurant, Flavours, is hosting a ‘waiting for Santa’ brunch complete with a gingerbread-decorating workshop on Friday, December 16 from 12.30pm to 4pm. Dh199 includes brunch for adults, Dh100 includes brunch and gingerbread workshop for kids. Call 04 312 2201
St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Head to Olea for a gingerbread-themed afternoon tea. Feast on some sweet and savoury teatime bites and then design your own gingerbread house under the guidance of the resort’s pastry chef. December 17 and 24 from 2pm to 6pm. Dh320 for one parent and child. Call 02 498 8888
Fairmont Ajman
Try the festive family brunch at Spectrum where kids can decorate their own gingerbread houses. Christmas music will fill the venue to help set the mood. December 23, 25 and 30 from 12.30pm to 4pm. Dh165 per person, kids under age 11 are free. Call 06 701 5757
The Ritz-Carlton Dubai
Head to Caravan in this hotel for some festive fun. The restaurant will offer gingerbread decorating classes for kids ages five to 12 years old, led by the hotel’s pastry chefs. December 17 and 18 from 2pm to 4pm. Dh270 per child. Call 04 399 4000
Candylicious
This candy-themed store in the Dubai Mall will host several gingerbread-decorating workshops over three days in Partylicious, the party venue inside the store. December 15 through 17 at 11am, 2pm and 5pm each day. Dh119 per child. Call 04 330 8700
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
Bring your kids over to the Sofitel where executive chef Kim Gates and the hotel’s pastry chefs will teach them how to make and decorate their own gingerbread. December 17 and 24 from 3pm to 5pm. Dh60 per child. The hotel also has a gingerbread house on display through January 7. It’s big enough to walk through. Call 02 813 7777
Kempinski Hotel and Residences Palm Jumeirah
This festive season at Brunello, little ones can keep themselves entertained by decorating their own gingerbread houses. There are cooking classes available for adults too, where you can learn how to make truffle galantine. December 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23 and 30. Dh150 per person. Bookings must be made 48 hours in advance. Call 04 444 2000
sjohnson@thenational.ae
