For the fourth year in a row, Nisf El-Dunia magazine, an Al-Ahram publication, has organised the Cuisine festival under the auspices of the Al-Ahram organization and its affiliated Al-Ahram Advertising agency, in cooperation with the Egyptian ministries of tourism and culture.

The annual event, which was held this year on 3 December at the JW Marriott Hotel in New Cairo, regularly attracts dignitaries from the fields of diplomacy, culture, and musical and culinary arts.

Guests from US Embassy ( courtesy of: Alaa abdel Bary)

Egyptian TV Food Shows presenters( courtesy of : Someya El Tawwab)

Over the past years, representatives from a number of countries have taken part, including ones from the United States of America, France, Mexico, Switzerland, Japan, India, South Korea, Lebanon, Italy, Morocco, Indonesia and Thailand. Thousands of prominent figures have also attended the event.

This year's attendance included Egypt's Minister of Emigration Ms. Nabila Makram, Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Anani, Chairman of Al-Ahram Newspaper and Head of the Egyptian Press Syndicate Abdel Mohsen Salama, Head of National Press Authority Karam Gabr, and various ambassadors and notable guests from the fields of media and art.

Abdel Mohsen Salama, Ahram Chairman(Courtesy of Alaa Abdel Bary)

Showcasing their culinary culture this year, 15 countries participated in the event, which has grown steadily since its inception in 2014.

Participants in the latest installment were as follows (in alphabetical order): Armenia, Cameroon, China, France, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Korea, Peru, Russia, the United States and Egypt.

some of participating booths (Courtesy of Someya El Tawwab)

Addressing this years attendees, Ms. Amal Fawzy, the festival's founder and Editor-in-Chief of Nisf El-Dunia magazine, emphasized the importance of building bridges between societies through art and culture.

"As we offer a glimpse of different tastes that define various cuisines of the participating countries, we mirror the beauty of their cultures and speak of arts that unite people and know no boundaries," she said.

Ms Amal Fawzy, Founder of Cuisine( courtesy of: Alaa Abdel Bary)

The festival entertained the audience with music and art, including a performance by firework entertainer Ahmed Essam, renowned guitarist Ahmed Mokhtar, famous Egyptian magician Hany and finally a serenade to the tunes of famous Egyptian singer Mahmoud El-Esseily.

Singer Mahmoud Esseili

Accolades were given to participating ambassadors as well as in recognition of various individuals who have made a positive impact through their various channels and media work.

To conclude the event, participating chefs were honored by famous food critic Murad Makram. Following this, the winners of the cake decoration competition were announced. The competition included 30 participants exhibiting their talents, each preparing a 3-D cake that represents one of the capitals of the world.

some of the participating cakes in the competition (Courtesy of : Alaa Abdel Bary)

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