Star Wars Cookbook author at SCRF
Chef Lara Starr uses figurines from the sci-fi blockbuster at Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival.
With several youngers being Star War fans, the recipe was a great way to get them into the kitchen to collaborate on a project. While the recipe was a straightforward one, it could easily be tailored according to age and skill level in the kitchen.
Using ingredients like unsweetened chocolate, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, vegetable shortening, and tootsie roll and the freezer, the chef prepared the perfect dessert, where carbonite which is a fictional substance from the Star Wars Universe was used to imprison the chocolate Hans Solo, the smuggler, scoundrel and hero.
Encouraging children to have cookbooks as part of their home library, Lara says, “Learning to cook and read recipes is an essential skill, and one that kids love to learn. Spending time in the kitchen with their grownups is such a special bonding time, and there’s so much pride in serving and eating something you’ve made yourself.
A librarian once told me that kids need to have proficiency in reading instructional text, and cookbooks are a great way for them to achieve that. I often direct reluctant boys to read the Star Wars cookbooks.”
A cultural celebration attracting not only children, but extending the joy of learning to parents and adults in a family- friendly atmosphere. SCRF encourages learning and self-education from a young age, helping raise a generation of leaders, scholars and professionals who will contribute to the development of their society.
SCRF is held annually under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Muhammad Al Qasimi. Last year has seen the festival succeed at attracting more than 306,000 visitors, hosting 134 exhibitors specialized in children’s literature and entertaining visitors with 2600 educational and fun-filled activities.
