The ‘Under the Sea Bites’ workshop introduces children to creative food preparation and presentation at the Sharjah International Book Fair
Sharjah, November 15, 2026
Children became junior chefs as they created ocean-inspired, seashell-shaped sandwiches while learning simple food preparation and decorating skills during the ‘Under the Sea Bites’ culinary workshop at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026).
Chef Amal Sabrawi introduced the snack to the young participants: “Our bun will look like a seashell. We will fill it with cheese, capsicum, corn, olives and chicken. We will only have healthy food at SIBF, so no colours.”
The children were given square slices of bread, which they cut into circles using a round cutter, creating frilled edges resembling seashells. Sabrawi then broke an egg into a bowl, and the children took turns beating it.
Using pastry brushes, they coated the rounded, folded bread slices with egg before placing them in the oven for a quick bake. Once the shells had puffed up and turned golden brown, each child used a wooden knife to slit them open and fill them with shredded cooked chicken, cheese and vegetables.
Designed for children aged 7–18, the participants enjoyed assembling and decorating their snacks, which they proudly carried home.
Yara Mohammed, who attended the workshop with her Grade 6 classmates Sarah and Ilaria, said she loved cooking and was happy to participate.
“Food is not only about taste; it has to look good and appetizing. Hence it is important to introduce this kind of creative art to children,” Chef Amal said.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
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