Many Saudi women are looking to change their eating habits by having healthy, tasty and creative food instead of traditional fare. Most women are keen to develop their skills in cooking, as well as gain more information about healthy food for their family. The Goody Kitchen Roadshow is offering just such training in the art of creative cooking for healthy, high nutrition, finger-licking flavors, and even for common ‘emergencies' such as unannounced guests. The Goody Kitchen Roadshow is on offer exclusively for women in the major malls of the Kingdom as a part of the company's commitment to “forging stronger ties with housewives.” The first event was held in Jeddah at the Red Sea Mall, from Dec. 24, 2008 to Jan. 2, 2009. During these 10 days the Goody kitchen received large numbers of Saudi women and young ladies who wanted to learn more about the latest techniques in cooking healthy food. The trainers for the interactive experience are skilled chefs who have served as advisers to international food companies and instructors at culinary arts academies. “Goody Kitchen is for wives who want to develop for their families a taste for happy moments at the dining table,” said Maha Al-Mojadidi, Associate Marketing Manager at Goody. “The idea is to bring out one's inner creative chef so as to conjure up the most delicious dishes without compromising on the health benefits,” said Al-Mojadidi, talking about what housewives participating in the road show can expect to achieve for themselves and their families. Leading the “Goody Kitchen” chefs are Lamia Gahwaji, a Saudi lady, and her assistant chef Alaa Al-Amoudi who share innovative cooking ideas and engage participants in live interactive sessions. The chefs demonstrate the art of creative cooking using Goody products for global, local and traditional dishes, offer recipes and tips on using various kitchen tools, present precooked dishes, and reveal the secrets of garnishing and combining unusual flavors. Included in the Goody Kitchen Roadshow is a cooking contest in which participants must whip up an appetizer, a side dish, a main course and dessert within 30 minutes. The fun and excitement extends to encouraging participating housewives to share their experiences in innovative cooking. There are prizes for active participants and a Pastapedia Album gift for those who attend the entire roadshow in a city. After Jeddah, the road show moves on to Riyadh at Sands Mall from Jan. 14 to 23 and Khurais Plaza from Jan. 28 to February 2. In Dammam, the event will be held at Dhahran Mall from February 11 to 20. During the 10 days in Jeddah, different dishes had been cooked with three shows being hosted everyday. “We divided the days into several themes: the Women's day, the Patients day, the Children's day,” said Al-Amoudi. “We presented dishes from different cultures such as Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, and Damascene dishes .” Saudi women who tasted the food after it had been cooked, found the event very encouraging. “I loved this event and would like to attend the Roadshows wherever they are held, since in Jeddah we rarely have the opportunity to learn from experts in the kitchen,” said Umm Khaled, a Saudi housewife. She said she was very happy to learn more about the dishes from different countries rather than remaining confined to traditional cuisine from the Kingdom. Other young Saudi ladies were seen visiting the Roadshow daily during the ten days with small recorders to make sure they got all the recipes right. “I am going to get married after two months, and my husband wants me to cook Chinese food, and does not like the traditional Saudi food,” said Nuha Al-Majedi, a 22-year-old Saudi, who studies English literature at King Abdul-Aziz University. “My mother knows only traditional Saudi food and she can't teach me other recipes, so this is a really good chance for me, and others like me to learn,” she added.
