Nowhere but in Cairo could this take place. Last week an unprecedented instance of West-East fusion was manifested in a remarkable dining table hosted by Lufthansa -- one of the world's biggest and most renowned airlines. A new Arabian cuisine was presented to the Egyptian media's culinary experts, in preparation for launching it on board the Lufthansa flights for its first and business class passengers, flying from Frankfurt and Munich to the Middle and Near East countries. Joining forces with the Cairo Marriott Hotel, Germany's top cook and Excellence Award winning executive chef Ingo Maass and his Egyptian counterpart chef Amgad Zaki presented an exquisite, mouthwatering feast for the senses, formidably displayed -- and did so live on stage at the Eugenie Salon, addressing top Egyptian guests there to experience this marvellous cooking gala, including the German airlines' top executives: Peter Emmerich, regional director; and Thomas Preinl, head of corporate communications. The Cairo Marriott team hosting the gala evening were represented by Ulrich Huth, general manager, and Vicki Varfis, director of sales and marketing. Chef Badawi Abdel-Hamid and mentor chef Zaki, were leading the Cairo Marriott cooking crew, who gave a hand to execute the exquisite dishes presented to the guests. Among the invitees was Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own Food Editor and culinary expert Moushira Abdel-Malek, who was assigned as the juror of the event; to evaluate and grade the four-course dinner. The cooking book by Maass and Zaki, New Arabian Cuisine, was awarded to the winner Marian Sarofim, professor of English at the AUC, whose evaluation was similar to that of the juror. Among other invitees who were awarded the book were: Nadine Barrada, restaurant manager at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza Hotel; her father, the renowned gynaecologist and stem-cell researcher, Ismail Barrada ; Anis Aclimandos, president of Transcentury corporation; his charming wife Sonia Sarofim and Engineer Chafik Nakhla, all represented the "Cha"ne de Rôstisseurs;" the members of which are known to possess a rather delicate palate among average tasters. It was an evening to remember. Amira El-Naqeeb was there for a celebration held in honour of actor Gamil Rateb at the French Embassy, where he received the coveted Légion d' Honneur de Grade de Chevalier for his long-standing career in both countries. "France wanted to honour the path Rateb has treaded as a friend of culture," said French Ambassador to Egypt Philippe Coste in his speech. Present were, among many others, actor and UN Good Will Ambassador Mahmoud Qabil, actors Hisham Selim, Salah El-Saadani, Salwa Khattab and representatives of Dream TV and ART satellite channels. photos: Ayman Barayez The Garden City Lions Club, headed by Awatef Serageddin, honoured the lead actors of the Ramadan TV hit Hadaaiq Al-Shaytan (Gardens of the Devil). Among other honoured stars were Syrian actor Gamal Suleiman, Mahmoud El-Hedini, Ahmed Salama, Riyad El-Kholi, the series veteran director Ismail Abdel-Hafez and its scriptwriter Mohamed Safaa Amer. A host of public figures were present, including former prime minister Ali Lotfi, Donia Badini, the wife of Italian Ambassador Antonio Badini, Sheikha Fatemah Al-Fasy, media figures Mona Ragab, Sekena El-Sadat, Naem El-Baz as well as actresses Laila Taher and Nagwa Fouad. Tunisian Ambassador to Egypt Al-Shazli Al-Nafati held a reception at his residence celebrating the Tunisian National Day. Present were Omani counterpart Abdel-Aziz El-Hanaai and his Moroccan and Algerian counterparts, Mohamed Faraj El-Dokali and Abdel-Qader Al-Haggar, along with film stars like Tunisian actress Hend Sabri and actor-cum-singer Samir Sabri. Professional photographers are called on to submit entries to the 2007 World Press Photo contest, by sending the completed entry form and pictures by regular mail or prepaid courier. As of 1 December 2006, visit www.worldpressphoto.nl for more information and the entry form. The deadline is 11 January 2007. Alexandria's diligent governor, Adel Labib, the President of Alexandria University Hassan Nazir and a number of high- profile artists inaugurated a retrospective of the work of artist and head of the General Organisation of Cultural Palaces Ahmed Nawwar at the Alexandria Creativity Centre. The exhibition included 90 works representing Nawwar 's long career since the 1960s in the fields of painting, drawing and graphics. The Arab youth music platform, Remix, will be held during the period 12 to 18 November 2006. This is the third round of Remix to be held in Egypt, involving some of the best young Arab musicians. Remix is organised by Al-Mawrid Al-Thaqafy (The Culture Resource), under the artistic leadership of Egyptian composer Fathi Salama and Lebanese musician and academic Andre Haj. This year Remix includes 19 young musicians from Morocco, Tunis, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Sudan. The platform will take place in a resort near Lake Mariout and will be concluded with concerts in the Garage Theatre, Jesuits Cultural Centre, Alexandria, on 17 November and the Garden of the Goethe Institute in Messaha Square, Doqqi, Cairo, on 18 November 2006. Remix is a creative encounter for musicians from different countries and diverse musical traditions, oriental and western. It gives the participants the opportunity to experience new musical styles, to experiment with each other and perform to a large audience. Nader Habib listened hard to the news of the partnership between the Egyptian Education and Employment Alliance (EEEA) -- a development centre launched under the umbrella of the Nahdet Al-Mahrousa Association -- and Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University. The aim of the programme is to provide students with access to extensive career development opportunities on campus, opening up endless possibilities and empowering students to compete on the job market. This Key Programme is led and implemented by the Egyptian Junior Business Association (EJB), but it would not have been possible without the support of the EEEA Advisory Board. Much gratitude is due to former minister of higher education Amr Salama, chairman of the EEEA advisory board for strategic guidance and support Iman El-Kaffas and Vice-President of Ain Shams University Mahmoud El-Tayyib. The protocol was signed by Engineer Khaled El-Miqati, president of EJB and Hadia El-Hennawi, dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University. photo: Ghada Abd El-Kader Ghada Abd El-Kader was delighted to be at the opening of the Rawabet Theatre, to view a documentary about the construction of this new venue and rub shoulders with Townhouse Gallery artist Yasser Grab, who spoke at length about the 300 square km venue. An initiative to support the cultural movement necessary, in turn, for social development. According to Grab, the space will provide screenings and musical performances as well as independent theatre. For her part director- cum-actress Nora Amin reiterated the theatre's commitment to the independent art scene, explaining that it hopes to generate its own income, offering a home and launching base for artists. Donia Massoud brought the evening to a close with her angelic voice. To help bridge the gap between the needs of the business sector and the Egyptian labour market, the American University in Cairo (AUC) inaugurated -- under the auspices of Minister of Communications and Information Technology Tarek Kamel -- its new office in the Smart Village, 6 October City. The office will offer training, consultation and customised programmes to both companies and individuals located in the Smart Village and will also provide information on AUC's educational programmes offered for undergraduate and graduate programmes, as well as continuing education. In addition, it will provide AUC alumni and students with access to the university's career advisement and job placement office.
