It’s time for kids to go cocoa for Abu Dhabi’s fun-filled Easter activities.
If chocolate seems to be appearing far more than normal around your home and office this month, then you’ve probably noticed that Easter is approaching. While many hotels are hosting the traditional Easter brunches, the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is getting creative by introducing chocolate making classes for children every Saturday throughout April.
TOAD spoke to Chef Dhany Arbendwi Putra about his love for all things chocolate.
How did you come up with the idea for the kids’ chocolate-making classes?
Growing up on movies like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and knowing for a fact that all kids love to spend their days surrounded by chocolate and confectionery, we decided to put together this chocolate-making class at the Chocolate Gallery café. We want to help budding junior chefs take their first steps to gastronomic stardom and to let them get hands-on experience by creating their own chocolate Easter eggs.
Have you ever taught cooking to children before?
Yes, I did it in my previous jobs. But this is the first time we’ve held them at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and I am really looking forward to it.
What do you need to keep in mind when you’re teaching kids?
Children are full of energy and want to learn, but it is very important to be patient and expect to receive a lot of questions – and be ready to answer them! It is also important to keep them interested in what they are doing, but I don’t anticipate this being a challenge at all. Working with such great, tasty food will definitely get their full attention.
Could you tell us about the structure of the classes?
It is very important to start the class by introducing everyone, as it is essential to get to know the kids and have them feel at ease. I will delve into the history of chocolate a little bit with some interesting and exciting facts, before providing insight into what we will be doing during the class and the kind of chocolate that will be used as the base of the course. After that, we will go through the process of tempering chocolate – heating it to specific temperatures – which is fundamental to chocolate-making, especially sculpture. Other techniques that will be taught include pouring hot tempered chocolate into the moulds – which will be in the shapes of eggs and bunnies – and letting them rest. Lastly I will demonstrate how to remove the chocolate from the moulds and how to decorate the eggs and bunnies.
What kinds of ingredients will you be using?
We will be using Falcon Chocolate from Master Baker, which is made up of 54 per cent dark chocolate and 29 per cent milk chocolate. Aside from the chocolate, we will also use cinnamon praline and salted
caramel as fillings.
So, how did your first test class go?
I was more excited than the children! I can’t wait for the next class. You learn a lot from working with children, and I am looking forward to learning more alongside the children during the next set of classes.
Classes are open to children aged 4-12. Dhs120 per child. Every Saturday, 3pm-5pm. Bain Al Jessrain (02 654 3333).
Easter activities at The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Pre-Easter Monumental Brunch
This brunch will span across four restaurants: Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill, Frankie’s Italian Restaurant & Grill, Chameleon bar and CuiScene.
Dhs569 including bubbly, Dhs299 for soft drinks, Dhs150 for children under 12, children under 6 dine for free. Friday, April 18. 12.30pm-4pm.
Easter Bunny Central
The hotel’s lounge bar Chameleon will offer arts and crafts, cookie and egg decorating, festive games and appearances from the Easter bunny.
April 18 and 20. Noon-4pm.
Easter Egg Hunt
Eggs will be hidden around the hotel gardens. Children can exchange the eggs for chocolate treats, but five of the eggs will contain a golden ticket with bigger prizes including one that entitles the winner to a year’s supply of chocolate.
Available April 18 and 20 with brunches.
Easter Mammoth Brunch
Like the Pre-Easter brunch, plus signature menu items from all three restaurants, an egg hunt with prizes for children and an appearance from the Easter bunny.
Dhs489 including bubbly, Dhs299 for grape and hops, Dhs269 for soft drinks, Dhs135 for children under 12, children under 6 dine for free. Sunday, April 20. 12.30pm-4pm.
More cracking ideas
Emirates Palace
The hotel is offering Easter menus throughout: in the beachside al fresco restaurant BBQ Al Qasr, Italian restaurant Mezzaluna, and seafood restaurant Sayad. Le Café will be offering a special Easter afternoon tea as well.
All Easter Menus are available during Easter weekend, April 18-20. Corniche Street (02 690 9000).
InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Is hosting a special Easter Marina brunch featuring a kids’ buffet, egg hunt, balloon twister and magician.
Dhs195, Dhs250 with unlimited house beverages. Sunday, April 20. Noon-4pm. Bainouna Street (02 666 6888).
Cafe D’Alsace
The restaurant has added an egg hunt and painting to their weekly Friday brunch in honour of Easter.
Dhs135 for adults, Dhs65 for children, free for children under 6. Friday April 18. Noon-4pm. Egg hunt 2.30pm-3.30pm. Yas Marina (050 811 5414).
