supermarkets&retailoutlets JAWAD SUPERMARKET
Shop and Cook
Alexandra Mariot
APPLE SHARMA Brand ambassador of Jawad Supermarket, chef Alexandra Mariot’s in-store cooking classes are becoming extremely popular. BTM went to check out this innovative concept and one of her sessions.
66 June 2015
A brand new concept started by Jawad Supermarket is making waves and giving people a chance to try out products first hand with French chef Alexandra Mariot’s cooking classes. Alexandra has lived in Bahrain for the past 16 years and is renowned on the island for her traditional macaroons. She started her business from home selling cakes and macaroons as well as catering and is now the face of Jawad supermarket. “We have a theme each month — cuisine of a country per month and a city or region from that country per week,” says Alexandra. “Mr Faisal Jawad decided it would be a good way to showcase the products to the customers and how they could be cooked; it would bring the shop alive and be welcoming as it’s something different in Bahrain.”
Alexandra’s classes are held every Tuesday at Jawad Supermarket in Barbar from 10am to 12 noon and from 6pm to 8pm. “Every week is a different region, with three recipes (appetiser, main course and dessert) in the morning and a different menu for the evening,” she says. The classes are suited for everyone to attend, whether you’re a working professional, mothers looking after children or a cooking enthusiast. “During Ramadan, there will be one class at 10pm and if it works well then maybe we will do one from 9pm to 11pm. We will see according to attendance of the people,” says Alexandra. “All ingredients are from Jawad Supermarket, so each time we have a region or a country, we try to have the best products in order for me to work better and for clients to appreciate the novelties and products that you cannot find anywhere else. We also import several items making it possible to have the best products possible for the classes and for the customers to buy after the class. “Jawad has a very good range of local vegetables, dropped off fresh at the supermarket by the local farmers. This is something we really want to continue promoting because we think it is the best way instead of having the imported ones that grow in the trucks.” Alexandra’s favourite cuisine is Italian as it’s close to France. “They have fresh products, pastas, pizzas and risottos and whenever I make those, they’re always a hit,” she says. This month has a Ramadan theme where Alexandra will give classes on Arabic food teaching how to prepare various combinations of dishes. The classes have been extremely popular since they started in mid-April. “We started with the UK England, Scotland and Wales and people were very happy,” says Alexandra. “For me it’s a great thing as I’m really enjoying doing it because cooking is my passion and not just work.” In the coming months, the supermarket will also have videos of the classes playing throughout the day inside the shop for customers’ benefit. Anyone can join the classes, no advance booking is required and they are free for all. There are also recipe cards available for the customers to take home. All the recipes are cooked right in front of you and people attending the class also get to taste the food at the end of each recipe. Alexandra makes it fun for all — questions are welcome and she also gives little cooking tips as she goes along. Call 17 691-010, email alexandra.mariot@jawad.com or visit Jawad Supermarket in Budaiya. www.bahrainthismonth.com