FREE COPY THE CHEF’S MAGIC DOHA’S TOP CHEFS SHARE THEIR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS RECIPES SPOTLIGHT December 2014 A HELPING HAND TO NEW EXPATS IN QATAR EATING YOUR WAY TO GLOWING SKIN RAISING NUTRITION-- SMART KIDS THE CITY OF PISA Malabar Gold MGDF AD Socity Magazine FP.ai 1 11/26/14 1:11 PM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K RAISING NUTRITION- SMART KIDS. P.46 Editor’s Note The explosive growth of Qatar’s expatriate population and high rate of urbanisation have adversely affected the consumption of many traditional foods in recent decades. The number of foreigners working in the country has influenced modern Qatari eating habits, incorporating many foods from around the world. As a result, the streets of Doha are lined with many high-end restaurants that serve ethnic foods, including Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Italian, and American. These foods are growing in popularity partially due to the fact that people from the above mentioned countries live and work in Qatar and also because locals relish consuming these foreign delicacies occasionally. On the flip side, as varied lifestyle and cuisine thrive, people’s tastes undergo drastic changes with traditional foods receiving scant attention in nutrition programmes. This is mainly due to lack of information about the nutritional value of traditional foods. Many people tend to be almost oblivious about the worth of traditional foods which are, as our ancestors knew, extremely nourishing, unprocessed, naturally raised, largely raw and distinctly unrefined. Traditional foods constitute an essential aspect of people’s cultural heritage and historical background so it’s important for people to know how to preserve traditional food in their areas and improve them for more sustainable food security. A number of chefs in Doha have come together to prop up ‘Qatar Culinary Professionals’ (QCP), a newly-formed body that is committed to setting an active chefs network in the country. Let’s give a big round of applause for their endeavour of maintaining and improving the standards of global cuisines in Qatar as well as promoting traditional Qatari cuisine worldwide. Read their story on page 22 and let us know what you think about their initiative. For those of you who are new in Qatar and need a helping hand for proper understanding of the rules, laws and traditions of the country, read the story of Carole Astin (A Helping Hand to New Expats, page 12) who recently set up a non-profit group called Qatar Expat Women’s Positive Support Group. Happy reading! Darwish S. Ahmed P. 22 P. 12 Editor-in-Chief Carole Astin (centre) with her volunteers at the Garvey’s European Family Club. Promoting Traditional Qatari Cuisines Worldwide is someone in the group to help each sponsoring the Astin’s had been extreme- here aren’t too many experiences woman get a positive jumpstart on their ly supportive and inviting towards Carole. Qatar Culinary Professionals is a newbie organisation that is steadily growing at a in life that can cause as many new life abroad. They had made her feel as if she was a fast paced rate, eager to conquer the food world, writes Sami Said Ali emotions as packing up your life T part of their family and gave her some- in one country and moving it half way A HELPING HAND When Carole first arrived in Qatar a year thing to look forward to when they would around the world to another. When most ago, she felt extremely isolated from her visit each week. This support from them people come to Qatar for the first time, family back home and from the large and Carole’s background as an RN in the atar Culinary Professionals’ (QCP) where they have harboured to transit in world for more than two decades. “The they step off the plane without knowing expat community of Qatar. She had come UK helping others, gave her the idea to ex- is a newly formed body that is their lifetime. Qatar Culinary Professionals is the a soul and only carrying what would fit in TO NEW EXPATS with her husband and son in order for tend the graciousness she had received committed to setting an active association of professional chefs in Qatar. their hands. It can be extremely liberating, Q them to start their own business here, but here to the rest of the expat community. chefs network in the country. Found- “The Association works to promote and It is non-profit organisation dedicated to Are you new in Qatar — do you feel lonely and lost and don’t know where to go? but it can be one of the most frightening she quickly felt she needed something Carole decided a non-profit community ed just months back, and still gaining support the development of the industry maintaining, advancement and improv- What are the rules, laws and traditions of the country you are going to make ‘home’ experiences as well. Fear not though for herself. She went to weekly coffee organization was needed in order to strength from the infancy period has while providing its members network, ing the international culinary prestige of for a number of years? Do not worry, help is at hand. All you have to do is to meet as there is now a new group in Qatar to mornings and joined the usual expat help women feel more comfortable and not stopped them from putting on their regulatory representation, programming the Qatar,” he says. help women with the transition. Carole Carole Astin who has recently set up a non-profit group called Qatar Expat Women’s groups, but was still having a hard time confident in their transition from their dazzling enthusiasm. The founder chefs and events,” says David Sosson, president Astin has recently set up the Qatar Expat Positive Support Group. adjusting to her new life abroad. After home countries. The idea for the Qatar are keen to leave their legacy in a country of QCP, who has been in the culinary “What we wanted during our establish- Women’s Positive Support Group and about five months of still feeling unsettled Expat Women’s Positive Support Group it is growing just as quickly as the expat By Kelly Wright | Photos by Firoz Ahamed and having a hard time with the transi- was formed and after months of hard 22 Society population in Qatar. Whether it is for tion to a new country, Carole decided to work it has just recently been launched their husband’s job or for their own, there take action. The Qatari family who were into action. 12 Society Society 13 Editor-in-chief Contributing Writers Editorial Inquiries FREE COPY Darwish S Ahmed Julie O’Rourke Tel: +974 44466413 AGM (Marketing) [email protected] James John Marie Quigley Dr. Sunaina Hameed Editor Advertising Inquiries Kelly Wright THE Amjad Vanimal Tel: +974 44466422 Fax: +974 44418811 Lynne Abrahams CHEF’S Feature Editor Email: [email protected] MAGIC Dr. Sudip N. Perla Swanepoel DOHA’S TOP CHEFS SHARE THEIR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS RECIPES Copy Editor Adina- Laura Achim Printed & Published by : John Varghese Homayra Billah Gulf Publishing & Printing Co. W.L.L. Rajith R Gayathri Ramdas Shemna Bijith Website : www.society.qa Mohamed Refaat Feature Writer Sami Said Ali Elisabeth O’Reilly SPOTLIGHT Diana Farid December 2014 A HELPING HAND TO NEW EXPATS IN QATAR Manager-Special Projects Mary Jayaweera EATING YOUR WAY TO GLOWING SKIN RAISING NUTRITION-- SMART KIDS THE CITY OF PISA Sharon Desouza Circulation Manager Adel Hammam Design & Layout Jiji Yohannan Follow us on : www.facebook.com/SocietyMagazine www.twitter.com/Society_Mag www.society.qa Inner Force. Outer Beauty. Harmony between the visible and invisible ALL NEW 2015 Refined Fluidic Panorama Drive Mode Seat Ventilation Sculpture 2.0 Design Sunroof Control System System From its curved, sculptured exterior to the sense of confidence and power it gives you, the All New Sonata is an evolved, one-of-a-kind creation. 2.4 Litre, 178 BHP, 6-Speed AT, Full Power Features & Advanced Safety Features Hyundai Showroom: Open 7 Days A Week DOHA - 4435 5117 Email: [email protected] AZIZIYA - 4416 3300 www.hyundai-qatar.com CONTENTS DECEMBER 2014 TOP GEAR The all-new Hyundai Sonata features enhanced driving performance and latest Hyundai60 IN LIFE technologies. What’s the truth behind the food-for-beauty fad? What’s real? And what’s bogus? Read on and find out 52 64 TRAVEL The city of Pisa is re- nowned worldwide for its leaning tower, a historical gem in a city that dates back to the Middle Ages and boasts countless archi- tectural masterpieces. PROFILE Shirly Rappai’s journey to success was barred by numerous SCOPE 16 obstacles, yet she had faith in herself and a strong desire to The Magic Touch reach her targets. 46 FREQUENT FLAIR FOCUS Photo of the issue Profile Shirly Rappai’s journey to success was barred by numerous Dhow has the power to bring generations togeth- er and revive Qatar’s as well as the region’s mari- time heritage. This picture was taken during the obstacles, yet she had faith in herself and a strong desire to fourth Traditional Dhow Festival held at Katara beach last month. Efren Mascariñas II Doha reach her targets. P.16 Scope The Magic Touch P.46 In life What’s the truth behind the food-for-beauty fad? What’s real? And what’s bogus? Read on and find out P.52 Your cam. Your shot Submit a favourite photo you’ve clicked on any topic of your choice for possible publication in an upcoming issue of Society.