Latest news with #KashtatAmina
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Emirati chef Mariam Al Mansoori on sharing UAE cuisine with the world
If you want to know the history of a place, observe its cuisine. The flavours that garnish a plate tell the story of the visitors who carried ingredients, spices, and recipes to its shores. Each morsel speaks of a chef enthralled with the alchemy of cooking and techniques that have evolved over time. Each cut of meat cooks differently, absorbs tastes differently, and presents in a way special to its new home. For a trading hub like the UAE, the food is its medal of honour, one that recollects its nomadic roots that witnessed cooking techniques such as baking bread over coal, stone, or sand; community, for meals were not a solo activity but moments filled with laughter and news of other members; and foreign exchanges — tales written in fine spice blends from overseas. For Mariam Al Mansoori, who calls it her responsibility to teach others about her cultural heritage, the journey of discovery began at home with her six children when she didn't even know she wanted to be a chef. She has since made history as the first Emirati to win the Gold Award for 'Best in Culinary Art' from France; been the driving force of the Abu Dhabi-based Montauk Boutique Café and Restaurant, and most recently opened a spot in Sharjah called Kashtat Amina, which draws from her mum and grandmum's recipe books to offer authentic Emirati fare. And she has no plans of slowing down. As a child, Mariam dreamt of being a doctor, an engineer, or a teacher. By the time she got married, she had earned her spot as a petroleum and water development engineer. The subject of her reverie began to shift as she began to think of owning her own space, of doing her own thing. 'But I didn't know what it would be,' she confesses. It was only when she got married and had children that the abstract idea began to take shape. 'I had begun reading up more about healthy food and Emirati cuisine. Our cuisine talks a lot through our food. There is a lot of transfer of knowledge, culture, habits, and hospitality that can be communicated through food,' she says. When she travelled, she recalls, she would knock on commercial kitchens and ask to look inside, to learn about the habits and techniques of other cultures as well. 'In some of them, you need to pay for your dish and then you can learn how to cook it,' she explains. When her kids began to praise her efforts, she began to dream bigger. 'My kids and my husband would say complimentary things about the food I made. Some of them would say, 'Mama, we only want to eat the food you cook'. It felt like a sign — like I needed to do more. And suddenly, God made all the barriers disappear — and I could begin my cooking journey,' she says. With her latest enterprise, she wants to put an old debate to rest: is Arabic cuisine the same as Emirati fare? She hums: 'We have a lot of dishes that maybe have the same ingredients, but the difference is in the technique of cooking, the presentation, the names of the dishes, and the occasions during which the dishes are served. So, they have rice, we have rice. They have beef, we have beef. We all grill, but the difference is in the spices we use, in the methods we employ.' In the works are plans for insightful conversations, behind-the-scenes, in-the-kitchen engagements, and even cooking classes. 'Kashtat Amina will be like a landmark where we will teach visitors and the younger generation about our food, our palate,' she says. The restaurant is named after her mother, Amina, and weighs in on the dialogue of identity and what it means in a globalised context where ingredients are available in plenty and from across the world. The dishes are an amalgamation of the old and the new, the familiar and unfamiliar. 'It's not because of some trend that we use things grown locally. We feel that this is a responsibility — to the land we are from and proud of. Plus, we need to encourage the local farmers. This is something important for sustainability within the country. I'm also trying my best to not have lots of wastage. And we are looking into eco-packaging,' she adds. The idea is to have a responsible brand in line with government plans, and one that showcases the best of the country, from fruits and vegetables to delicacies. Jostling motherhood and entrepreneurship over the years, Mariam explains, requires focus and the precision of a tailor on a deadline running out of cloth. 'You need to prioritise the things that are important to you and cut out things that are not. As a mum, I also know that children grow up quickly and if you don't prioritise your time with them, you miss a lot of things. If you cannot involve them in what you are doing, like I do, you need to be strict about time management,' she says. 'I involve my kids in our businesses — and in fact, I have two junior chefs,' she says, smiling. 'When we are home, we speak the same language, we are all interested in this one thing: food.' 'I am a traditional mum. I am attached to the past, so I bring a tray with everything, from bread to protein to salad to where the kids are. I ask them what they want in their sandwiches and I make it more than cooking. I make it like storytelling time, or an activity. Sometimes, we do cooking competitions between the kids, and share the results on TikTok. It gives them a boost. Even when we have family dinners or movie nights, they revolve around food. It is a language that everyone understands at home,' she adds. This is her support system and gives her the strength to carry on no matter what. Of course, she says, challenges do appear, and when they do, you may need some help navigating the icebergs. 'But it's something you must also do for yourself. You can look in the mirror every morning and say to yourself: 'I am a strong woman. I can do this'.' It's just as important to keep an eye on your end goal. 'This is for my family, my kids, my UAE. My vision is to make a place in the world for the Emirati cuisine,' she explains. And she's determined to do so, one meal at a time.
What's On
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
A complete dining guide to Sharjah: where to eat for every mood
We won't be hearing any more Sharjah slander – not in this household. Sharjah gets a bad rap – some Dubai folk associate it with traffic and chaos, small roads and sun-skirting skyscrapers, perhaps a less glamorous, less dazzling way of life. It's a fairly common misconception, but we're here to tell you that Sharjah's dining scene is packed with some gems – stunning cafes, irresistible confectionary, historic menus and iconic favourites. For some fine-dining: Bait Elowal One can call it a dining destination, a concept store, a museum, a library, or a fusion of any of those things, but Bait Elowal is foremost, a love letter to the past of Sharjah, perched by the creek which was once the gateway of the city into trade and commerce. The menu tells the story of the Silk Road – a seasonal creation with appetizers, mains, and desserts, complemented by fascinating facts about the ingredients to enrich the dining experience, emphasising locally sourced ingredients and showcasing the flavours of Morocco, Persia, India, and Turkey. Read our full story here. Location: Bait Elowal, Al Marija Square Times: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 11pm, Friday, 8am to 12pm, 1pm to 11pm Contact: ( 0) 6 509 0666 @baitelowal For a taste of home: Kashtat Amina The brand new Kashtat Amina is all about the love of an Emirati mother. Launched by acclaimed Emirati chef Mariam Almansoori in collaboration with Arada, this dining concept is rooted in maternal heritage, generosity, and culinary tradition, and is named in homage to Chef Mariam's mother. From the portion size to the ingredients and the measurement-free preparation, every aspect is deeply cultural. The menu features dishes including balaleet, beetroot harees, madrooba, mastic Umm Ali and luqaimat, all made with locally sourced ingredients from farms in the UAE. Location: Kashtat Amina, East Boulevard, Aljada Megaproject Times: Daily, 8am to 11.30pm Contact: ( 0) 50 573 9951 @kashtatamina For someting iconic: Zahrat Al Quds 15 years of legacy – Zahrat Al Quds is a Palestinian spot that has been serving up authentic fare for 15 years now, and is all about bringing a piece of Palestinian culture and culinary traditions to Sharjah. The exteriors and the interiors are done up like a typical home, spacious, filled with art, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Great for modest dinners, special occasions and big groups, the spot is economical, but not compromising on quality, flavour or ingredients. Order the mix grill platter, the mosakhan roll and the kunafa. Location: Al Nahda Tower, Al Ittihad Street Times: Daily, 12pm to 1am Contact: ( 0) 6 555 0060 For the aesthetic cafe run: Ethr ClubHaus A homegrown concept rooted in heritage and found in iconic locations like Louvre Abu Dhabi and Fujairah Fort, the latest Ethr concept has now landed in Sharjah. This time in the form of the cool, community-focused Ethr ClubHaus this beautifully designed and moodily hued space is filled with raw materials linked to the local areas of Mleiha and Buhais. As well as drinks and baked goods, Ethr ClubHaus is also home to a curated concept store and should be the next spot for all your 'gram-worthy coffee dates, with a side of story. Location: Al Mamsha by Alef, Muwaileh Commercial Times: Daily, 7am to 1am Contact: ( 0) 56 996 7060 @ For just a really good (and cheap) burger: M10 Cafe Sometimes, all one needs is just a really good burger. Late night craving, early-morning hangover cure or whatever it may be for you. M10 Cafe in Sharjah is where you need to go for a late-night burger run, priced at a mind-boggling Dhs15 for their amazing burgers. It looks unassuming from the outside, but you need to try their Nashville hot chicken sandwich made with fried chicken dipped in their in-house sauce, a side of fries and some loaded milkshakes, and you'll thank us later. Location: M10 Cafe, Al Muweilah Times: Daily, 11am to 2.45am Contact: ( 0) 54 289 8376 @ For all the baked goods: Parka Bakehouse In a modern barn-style setting, Parka Bakehouse is new in Aljada. Its glass walls flood the breezy space with natural light, and inside shades of cream and warm woods make the space feel cosy and modern. The breakfast menu puts regional twists on classic, with poached eggs served in a spinach and pistachio sauce, avo on top of zaatar labneh served with parka bread, and baked omelette served with whipped labneh and Persian herbs. Crowd-pleasing salads, flatbreads, sandos and sweet treats make up the menu for lunch and dinner. Location: Parka Bakehouse, Aljada Megaproject Times: Weekdays, 9am to 11pm, weekends, 9am to 12am Contact: @parkabakehouse For the best shawarma: Shawarma Juha A giant spinning roll of shawarma meat, licked by charcoal flames – that is the star of the show at Shawarma Juha. This spot is well-loved in the local community and offers lip-smacking sandwiches you don't want to miss out. Shawarmas and burgers, all flavoured with charcoal cooking, served with fresh juices, and naturally, for a spot like this, it's pretty easy on the pocket. They've got branches all across the UAE, so you know it's good, but if you're in Sharjah, head over to Muweila. Location: Muweila Commercial Times: Saturday to Thursday, 2pm to 4am, Friday, 3pm to 4am Contact: (0) 6 579 5870 @shawarmajuha You may think this is just another aesthetically pleasing cafe, and indeed, it is very pleasing, but it also has some of the best treats for when you're craving something sweet. Not only do they serve specialty coffee and matcha, but also some amazing chocolate cups, basque cheesecake, mango sticky rice, Kinder bonbons and the kind of hot chocolate that solves all your problems. They do also have other baked goods, pastries and treats on their menu, so you're spoilt for choice. Gather a gang and order a few plates to share. Location: Muweila Commercial Times: Open 24/7 Contact: (0) 50 802 5000 @clarospecialtycoffee Images: Socials/Supplied
Sharjah 24
25-06-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Arada, Chef Mariam Almansoori to open Kashtat Amina at Aljada
Named in homage to Chef Mariam's mother, Kashtat Amina offers a deeply personal and cultural journey into the heart of Emirati cuisine. The menu features dishes inspired by cherished family recipes, presented in a setting designed to evoke warmth, memory, and the sensory richness of traditional Gulf hospitality. Chef Mariam Almansoori, Founder of Montauk Hospitality Group, said: 'Kashtat Amina is a love letter to my mother and to every Emirati woman whose wisdom and spirit are passed down through their food. This restaurant is my way of sharing that legacy, and of turning childhood memories, family traditions, and cherished flavors into a generous experience for everyone who visits. It's not just about what's on the plate, it's about the story behind it.' Amit Arora, Chief Operating Officer of Arada, said: 'Kashtat Amina represents a meaningful addition to Aljada and to Sharjah's evolving culinary landscape. As a homegrown concept led by one of the UAE's most respected female chefs, it reflects our vision to support Emirati entrepreneurship and culture in a modern context. This is more than a restaurant; it's a space that celebrates storytelling, heritage, and community through food.' Kashtat Amina's focus on generosity is not just limited to portion size but woven into every detail, from the quality of ingredients and measurement-free preparation to handcrafted Emirati elements on the tableware, warm service, and the atmosphere of welcome that defines every guest's experience. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Kashtat Amina will also offer a dedicated Emirati brunch at weekends. The menu will showcase signature Emirati dishes with a contemporary flair, including Balaleet, Beetroot Harees, Madrooba, Mastic Um Ali and Luqaimat. Locally sourced ingredients will play a starring role on the restaurant's menu, with 70% of the produce coming from the UAE's farms in partnership with Manbat, Arada's social impact partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Winner of the Golden Chef Award by Best of Gastronomie in France, Chef Mariam Almansoori is one of the UAE's most celebrated culinary figures, known for her refined take on Emirati fusion cuisine and her leadership of the award-winning Montauk Hospitality Group. Her work blends innovation with deep cultural roots, earning her widespread recognition both locally and internationally. Kashtat Amina joins a diverse line-up of popular eateries on East Boulevard, Aljada's vibrant dining and retail strip, reinforcing its role as one of Sharjah's fastest-growing lifestyle destinations, as well as new hub for innovative concepts and culinary diversity.
