May 2, 2023 · Team HG
Taste of Mena, the culinary festival dedicated to the flavors of the MENA region, is taking place for the first time this year on the Nieuwe Markt next to the Forum in Groningen. On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the festival offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the diverse and rich cuisines of the MENA region.
At Taste of Mena, MENA restaurants and caterers from Groningen present themselves with the most delicious dishes and drinks from the MENA region. Visitors can relax in a wonderful MENA atmosphere with food and drinks, cooking workshops, music, kids' entertainment, and more.
Participating hospitality businesses & caterers include, among others,. Florentine, La Mezza, Yamen Cuisine, Moro, Schriemer Catering, Café Lust, Stach goes Mena, The Feithhuis goes Mena, The Market Hotel goes Mena, and Blue Bananas Pancakes goes Mena.
On the Nieuwe Markt, MENA chefs are going to cooking battle Compete together to claim the title of ‘Best MENA Chef of Groningen’ while the stopwatch is running! In exciting cooking rounds, dishes are prepared using ingredients from the MENA region, mixed with typical Dutch ingredients. All of this takes place using black boxes containing products curated by the jury in advance, and the public jury can join in to taste and judge the dishes.
There are also free activities for children such as face painting and coloring provided by Blob & ColorThe free baking workshop “Tahini Temptations” offers participants the chance to learn how to make easy and delicious baking recipes from the MENA region. There are two options available, and participants can learn to make their own baked goods in a friendly and engaging environment with the help and support of the workshop leaders.
In addition, Prof. Karène Sanchez-Summerer, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the BACK, give a presentation on the modern history of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish communities in the Middle East, by introducing participants to their culinary traditions, such as the specific rules for preparing and consuming dishes. Participants will also have the opportunity to prepare their own pastries—Ma’amoul. Three workshops will be held which visitors to Taste of Mena can join for free.
Taste of Mena promises to be a fantastic culinary event and a perfect opportunity to enjoy the rich and diverse cuisines of the MENA region. The food event is part of the 10-day ‘MENA IS HERE’ event, featuring cultural activities, artists, musicians, makers, stories, and conversations about and from the MENA region (Middle East – North Africa), taking place from May 11 to 20 at various locations in the city of Groningen.
More information:
Taste of Mena: www.tasteofmena.nl
Mena is Here: www.menaishere.nl
