ENHG Lecture: A Glimpse of the Culinary and Cultural traditions of The Emirates, with Alexandra von Hahn

About the Talk:

Alexandra von Hahn will give us some insights on the work that she did for her award wining cookbook, “The Culinary Magic of the Emirates.” A celebration of the food rituals, culture,  etiquette and traditions of the people of the United Arab Emirates, the book is a legacy piece for local and international audiences who are passionate about Emirati cuisine and culture.

Alexandra collected authentic recipes from twenty-seven Emiratis from across the UAE, spending time with each during her years within UAE diplomatic circles. The result is an intimate glimpse into Emirati homes, food rituals and traditions.

About Alexandra:

The daughter of Baltic-German and Hungarian aristocrats Baron Peter von Hahn-Lieven and Countess Marie Jeanne Sennyey-Széchenyi, Alexandra von Hahn was born in Santiago, Chile, where she lived until the age of 11, after which she and her family relocated to Montreal, Canada. She moved to Abu Dhabi along with her two children when her diplomat husband got a posting in the capital city.

It was while living in the UAE that she got the idea of researching and compiling a cookbook dedicated to authentic Emirati cuisine. Using her connections in diplomatic circles, she gained access to many Emirati families, who invited her into their homes, where she had the opportunity to observe their traditional cooking techniques, taste their family recipes and marvel at their extraordinary hospitality.

She now splits her time between Canada, Germany and the UAE.