Sharjah's Al Qasba Food Festival returns for Ramadan

Annual event features celebrity chefs, cooking competitions and more

Taco Taco is one of the many food stalls at the festival. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Known for its quaint walkways and bridges, as well as a canal complex, Sharjah's family-friendly Al Qasba neighbourhood is bringing back its popular food festival.

Open every evening until April 8, visitors will not only be treated to daily cooking shows and competitions, but also musical shows and street performances. Organisers said this year's Al Qasba Food Festival is bigger and better than before.

Scroll through the gallery below for more pictures from Al Qasba Food Festival 2023

Rajab makes Omani halwa at the annual Al Qasba Food Festival in Sharjah. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sandun from Taco Taco cooks

Traditional Emirati food being prepared

Shaida Ibrahim cooks during a competition

Mattu Kumar from Thambapanni cooks chicken kottu

Al Qasba Food Festival is free to attend

Talal Al Baloushi and Khalifa Albahri participate in a cooking competition

Traditional Emirati dessert luqaimat being cooked

Al Qasba neighbourhood in Sharjah is known for its quaint walkways and canal

Ice sculpting competition at the festival

The festival is open every evening at sunset

Mattu Kumar from Thambapanni

Acrobats perform

Sanjula from Taco Taco

The family event has activities and entertainment for all ages

There are competitions being held daily

A vendor at the festival

A participant at the cooking competition

Each day of the festival will feature a different celebrity chef giving a full three-hour demonstration. Participating this year are Emirati chef Hanan Al-Dawla and Greek chef Alexandros Pavlopoulos.

There will also be an exhibition of gourmet foods from exhibitors and local talents, while little chefs will get the chance to pick up some culinary tricks at the Young Chef’s Academy.

Foods from around the world will be presented by different chefs at the Ramadan event. Competitions will also be held daily, including a Food Carving Competition where the UAE’s top chefs battle it out and show off their skills.

Al Qasba Food Festival is open daily after Tarawih prayers until 1am, running until April 8. Entry is free.