I trained in a professional kitchen and have, in the past, worked with many of today's top chefs in the UK. As part of my job for The National I eat out regularly and review restaurants on a weekly basis. This might sound like a dream, but it does have its downsides. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a "woe is me" tale and I'm not expecting sympathy. I love my job, but, it does mean that friends are reluctant to cook for me.
My fiancé is also a chef. As you can imagine, people are even less keen to invite the two of us over for a meal. In fact, this happens very rarely. We do have plenty of friends, I hasten to add, it's just that they're always far more keen to go out for dinner rather than entertain us at home.
The thing is, there's really no reason for this. I am not a fussy eater. I know what I like and in a restaurant situation can be quite opinionated about this, but there are few things that I really dislike and even fewer that I wouldn't at least try. Admittedly, I baulk at the thought of being made to eat hundred-year eggs again, nor am I mad for corned beef, but I'd have to be at a pretty adventurous and/or retro dinner party to encounter either of these.
The only thing I can remember categorically refusing to even try is horse meat. This was presented to me in sandwich form with a squeeze of ketchup, as part of a "funny" stunt on a television show. As far as I could see, this wasn't amusing, just plain wrong and I don't think anyone can blame me for opting out of that particular culinary experience.
A lot of people ask me what I cook when I'm at home. The answer varies wildly. If I'm making a meal for someone else, then I'll go all out: preserve lemons to garnish a tagine, dedicate hours to making puff pastry for a chicken pie or test my patience to the max trying to get homemade crumpets just right (my advice is to buy them; they're not worth the faff).
If I'm alone though, I don't put anywhere near as much effort in. Last week, my Wednesday night dinner of choice happened to be toasted wholewheat pita bread, spread thickly with fresh labneh and decorated with sliced jalapeños. Far from a delicacy but surprisingly tasty; something that my friends who shy away from cooking for me should certainly bear in mind.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
Scoreline
Syria 1-1 Australia
Syria Al Somah 85'
Australia Kruse 40'
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills