CONNECTOR.AE 3 Welcome The new academic year is fast approaching with children going back to school by the end of this month. In a lot of cases, children have their school places confirmed, however there are still those parents who, for various reasons, are in search of a suitable place for their child. With time being of the essence and schools not operating for them to get a real feel of the environment, it is still possible to make an informed last minute decision. On pages 24 to 28, senior educators share with us the key advice parents should consider if still searching for a school place. With every new academic year, comes the need for all the new essentials. From stationery to laptops, footwear to bags, on pages 32 to 37 we have picked some of what is out there to ensure students have all they need for returning to classes. Football is one of the most watched sports around the world, with a lot of eyes on the English Premier League. A number of teams have supporters in Dubai who meet at the same place each match day to cheer on their team. For those wanting to watch a particular team at the place their fans meet up, on pages 12 to 15 is a round up of the venues in Dubai where those fans can be found. That’s not all, there is loads more inside, so sit back, relax and enjoy reading it all as much as we enjoyed putting it all together. Have a great month and enjoy the issue. Chris Nicolaides chris@directreachmedia.com Concord Tower, PO Box 126732, Dubai Media City, Dubai, 04 454 9826, enquiries@directreachmedia.com Contents of this publication are copyright. No material may be reproduced without written permission. Notice and disclaimer. The material used in this publication is intended to be used for informational purposes only. A sincere effort has been made to report accurate information. However, one or more recognised authorities in health and nutrition may hold different views than those reported therein, and the reader is so advised. This publication is not meant to be an endorsement of any specific product or services offered. Nicole Pereira nicole@directreachmedia.com Vishakha Ramchandani vishi@directreachmedia.com Welcome
CONNECTOR.AE 5 Get All The Back To School Essentials! What To Consider Before Getting Laser Hair Removal 42 Credit Cards That Offer Additional Benefits Enjoy Luxury Desert Retreats! SMOKD Eatery - Creole Flavours At Its Best Ten To Try: Kunafa 53 48 16 17 Boosting A Child’s Immune System Before Back To School 38 Contents 7 Monthly Events International Basketball Teams Coming To The UAE! Catch The English Premier League At These Venues! How To Make A Last Minute School Choice For Your Child Tara Shah Khan: Bringing Meals And Saying Thank You To Workers Chef’s Corner: Lewis Prior A round up of all the major events this August 10 12 24 58 32 16 12 42 22 Welcome V T H E I R I S H V I L L A G E P R E S E N T S T I C K E T S : 2 2 5 A E D S E A T E D G R A N D S T A N D 2 5 0 A E D G R O U N D S T A N D I N G D O O R S O P E N 7 P M S H O W S T A R T S 9 . 0 0 P M O V E R 2 1 ’ S O N L Y W W W . T H E I R I S H V I L L A G E . C O M @ T H E I R I S H V I L L A G E D U B A I W W W . 8 0 0 T I C K E T S . C O M F R I D A Y 1 3 T H O C T 2 0 2 3 A T D U B A I D U T Y F R E E T E N N I S S T A D I U M THE BOYS ARE BACK I N TOWN ! ONE NIGHT ONLY TO SEE ALL YOUR FAVOURITE BOY BANDS WITH 26 NUMBER ONE HITS! BLUE BOYZLIFE FIVE
CONNECTOR.AE 7 Out And About Although the summer heat is going strong, there are still ways to make the most of the months with some amazing indoor activities. From concerts to Dubai Summer Surprises, here are some amazing activations taking place around the UAE that Connector have compiled to make the month a fun one. Dubai Summer Surprises continues throughout the month and is the perfect time to make the most of all the sales with up to 70% discount on shoes, clothing, electronics, bags and more. To add to the excitement, amazing raffles on cars and cash prizes are up for grabs that shoppers can be in with a chance to win. Live entertainment will also take place at malls around Dubai to stay entertained. www.dss.ae OUT & ABOUT The UAE is home to so many exciting events and activations, that there is never a shortage of finding things to do to have a blast. Modesh World Till 27 August Dubai Summer Surprises Till 3 September As part of Dubai Summer Surprises, Modesh World is being held at Halls 3 to 8 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Children can have a blast exploring amazing activities and activations from themed games, learning zones, workshops, gaming zones and tournaments, with exciting prizes up for grabs. Delicious dining options are also available to keep energy levels up during all the fun. The event is free to all. www.dwtc.com 1 2 V T H E I R I S H V I L L A G E P R E S E N T S T I C K E T S : 1 7 5 A E D D O O R S O P E N 6 P M S H O W S T A R T S 7 P M O V E R 2 1 ’ S O N L Y W W W . T H E I R I S H V I L L A G E . C O M @ T H E I R I S H V I L L A G E D U B A I W W W . 8 0 0 T I C K E T S . C O M S A T U R D A Y 4 T H N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 A T T H E I R I S H V I L L A G E LOADED F T . D J A N D Y B U C H A N TOP S T E R E O D O D G Y LOV I N CRIMINALS MC’S FUN L O A D E R 4 L I V E B A N D S P R E F O R M I N G T H E I R B I G G E S T H I T S
CONNECTOR.AE 8 CONNECTOR.AE 9 Out And About Out And About Beat The Heat: Modi Al Shamrani and DJ Aseel Dubai Sports World Beat The Heat: Sharmoofers and Autostrad Vipul Goyal Unleashed Till 10 September 12 August 13 August Beat the summer heat this month and enjoy an amazing multi-purpose sporting venue with Dubai Sports World. Held at Dubai World Trade Centre, across Za’abeel Halls 3 to 6, it is home to over 40 courts and pitches from cricket, badminton and tennis. Familyfriendly activities and classes will be held daily at the gym and fitness studio. www.dubaisportsworld.ae Watch two amazing regional artists perform for the indoor Beat The Heat concerts, as part of Dubai Summer Surprises. Held at The Agenda, Dubai Media City, the oneday concert will see Egyptian fusion band Sharmoofers known for their take on Arabic, Latin, funk and reggae tunes with hits including ‘Arosty’ and ‘Hazina’. Also joining the lineup is Jordanian indie band Autostrad who talk about love, struggles and life through their moving tunes like ‘Alber’ and ‘Rahat Ya Khal’. Prices start at Dhs 160. www.theagenda.com Indian comedian Vipul Goyal is making his way to Dubai for a show at Theatre by QE2. Having graduated as an electrical engineer before making a career out of comedy, the artist will perform in English and Hindi and is definitely a show to watch. Prices for the laughter show start at Dhs 95. www.theatrebyqe2.com 19 August The Agenda at Dubai Media City is hosting indoor summer concerts, Beat The Heat throughout Dubai Summer Surprises. The one-day-only concert will see Saudi artist and social media star Modi Al Shamrani perform amazing hits, followed by an iconic set with top songs by DJ Aseel. Prices start at Dhs 160. www.theagenda.com The Laughter Club DXB Featuring Gaurav Kapoor 19 August Indian comedian Gaurav Kapoor is set to perform a one-night-only show in Dubai this month. As part of The Laughter Club DXB, the show will be held at Dubai Auditorium, Dubai College. The comedian is known for his quick wit, sarcasm and observational skills, which will have the audience rolling with laughter. Prices start at Dhs 105. www.thelaughterclubdxb.com SUNDANCE DXB Vol. 3 26 August Beat the heat this summer, and make the most of an amazing indoor music fest in Dubai. The day-to-night concert will be held for one day only at Coca-Cola Arena. Enjoy listening to the beats of electronic dance music with a brilliant artist lineup of Don Diablo, Yellow Claw, Aly & Fila, VINAI, DubVision and DJ Pink Panda. Ticket prices start at Dhs 199. www.coca-cola-arena.com 3 4 5 6 7 8
CONNECTOR.AE 10 CONNECTOR.AE 11 Dining Around Out And About The tournament in Abu Dhabi will be held from 18 to 20 August, and is in preparation for the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup, where 32 international teams will go head to head in three host countries, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. The USA Men’s National Team is set to head down to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, for thrilling matches that will have the audience at the edge of their seats and cheering for the team. To add to the excitement, the first set of matches as part of International Basketball Week will see the USA team compete against Greece and Germany. On 18 August, teams USA and Greece will compete, followed by a match on 19 August between team Germany and team Greece. The final match of the showcase will be held on 20 August, with team USA and team Germany competing. On 17 and 18 August, the second set of matches with three other international teams including Lebanon, Mexico and Egypt, will take place where the teams will compete against one another. Lebanon will play Egypt on 17 August, followed by a match between teams Lebanon and Mexico on 18 August. Although the first time hosting the USA Basketball Showcase, Abu Dhabi has previously brought two pre-season NBA games to the city in 2022, where fans could see popular international basketball players from Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, compete in person. The pre-season games for 2023 will also be held in the city on 5 and 7 October, and will see Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks play. Ticket prices for the USABasketball Showcase start at Dhs 75 and are available via the Etihad Arena website - www.etihadarena.ae International Basketball Teams Coming To TheUAE! Basketball fans, this is the moment many have been waiting for as the UAE, for the first time ever in the country, is set to host the USA Basketball Showcase. Catch The English Premier League At These Venues! The English Premier League (EPL) is the most watched domestic football tournament on the planet. Made up of 20 teams, playing against each other over 9 months, for one to be crowned English Champions. It attracts the some of the best players from around the world, including Argentina’s Qatar World Cup 2022 winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland, Egyptian star striker Mohamed Salah, Brazilian super star Gabriel Jesus and England sensation Jack Grealish. The fascination with this leagues is not limited to England fans and English expats, as it’s global reach has built fan bases from nearly every corner of the world, and the teams and players watched globally. Dubai is no different, with clubs and stars from the EPL followed in their thousands, and fans meeting up in cafes and bars to watch all the action from all the matches. With so many places to watch live football, finding somewhere to really soak in the match day atmosphere as if being at the game itself is important, and for fans of many EPL clubs, Dubai offers just that. Watching the games at cafes and bars alongside other fans of the same EPL team offers an electric experience, and the next best thing to being inside the stadium itself. Supporters from 11 of the 20 EPL teams, have each established one particular venue for their team, where Dubai-based fans, and visiting fans, can meet up on match day, watch their team play and share in the glory, or pain, after the final whistle. If on the hunt to watch the games with likeminded fans with the same thing in common, then keep reading as Connector is here.
CONNECTOR.AE 12 CONNECTOR.AE 13 Dining Around Dining Around After leading the EPL for most of the 2022 to 2023 season, North London club Arsenal FC came close to lifting the title for the first time in almost 20 years, and will hope to go one better this time around. Supporters of the ‘Gunners’ can follow their journey at garden on 8 at Media One Hotel in Media City. The venue features a unique urban rooftop setting as well as indoor seating, with ample space to relax with friends and family and cheer on the team. To make sure not a minute of the action is missed, large screens are added, and after the game, a foosball table is available to keep people entertained. www.garden-on-8.com One of the longest-established English football clubs, supporters of Everton FC in Dubai meet up to watch their matches at McGettigan’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah. While watching the ‘Toffees’ with fellow Everton fans, guests can enjoy delicious Irish and international dishes from starters, flatbreads and mains including chicken gyoza, Wagyu beef chilli nachos, burrata and mushroom flatbread, cod and chips, and sticky toffee pudding. The restaurant also has an outdoor seating area, where fans can enjoy a relaxing meal and catch up with friends after watching the game, while taking in the views of Burj Al Arab. www.mcgettigans.com Liverpool FC are one of the most recognisable names in English football, and their large Dubai fan base gather at the popular McGettigan’s JLT at the Bonnington Hotel, in JLT. A great place to catch the EPL matches this football season, from multiple television screens around the restaurant. Fans can also delight in dishes from pasta, flatbread to salads including falafel wrap, Mexico beef taco, fish cakes, pan-roasted chicken breast, and Wagyu beef chilli nachos, and wash it down with a range of drinks. Guests can also enjoy sitting outdoors and catching the game, as the temperatures drop in the UAE. www.mcgettigans.com garden on 8 Media One Hotel McGettigan’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah McGettigan’s JLT JLT Aston Villa FC have a long history in football since the leagues were formed. Their chairman, William McGregor, was the founder of The Football League in 1888, the first organised football league in the world, and from where the EPL evolved. One of the most successful and decorated teams in English football, and undoubtedly the most successful team in England’s West Midlands, Aston Villa seem to be very much on a resurgence after a few seasons of underachieving. Supporters of Aston Villa looking to catch the game with other ‘Villans’ need to head down to Rose and Crown in Al Habtoor City. The British pub set over 2 floors, features a number of television screens on each wall and if that was not enough to make sure everyone gets to watch, a large projector screen is in place, where visitors will not miss a second of the games. After the match, a dart board and pool table are available for those in a competitive mood. The iconic red British telephone booth can be found at the entrance to get that typically British photograph, in a different country. www.roseandcrowndubai.com Rose and Crown Al Habtoor City For the last 20 years, Chelsea FC have been one of the most successful English football teams, however the team finished last season in the bottom half of the EPL for the first time in almost 30 years. Dubai fans can watch to see if the ‘Blues’ return to winning ways at the Belgian Cafe in GrandMillennium Barsha Heights. The bar is based over two floors indoor, where football fans can catch the game from every corner through the two large screens and 11 screens around the bar. Fans can also delight in dishes including prawn skewers, fish and chips, and chicken escalope. During breaks or after the match, make the most of darts, board games and the rooftop mini-golf. www.millenniumhotels.com Belgian Cafe Grand Millennium Barsha Heights Crystal Palace FC are currently the only team representing South London in the EPL, and fans of the ‘Eagles’ in Dubai gather for matches at Goose Island Tap House at Five Hotel JVC. The bar is a great spot to watch the EPL match, with multiple screens decorating the restaurant to get a glimpse of every second of the game. Tuck into a delicious international menu with choices including appetisers, salads, loaded house fries and pizzas. Fans can finish off the evening with a game of pool with friends or enjoy the only indoor golf simulators in a sports pub. www.gooseislanddubai.com Goose Island Tap House Five Hotel JVC
CONNECTOR.AE 14 CONNECTOR.AE 15 Dining Around Dining Around Manchester City FC have had a growing presence in the UAE since they were acquired by Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, and that presence can be seen each match day at Mr Toad’s at Premier Inn Barsha Heights. The modern bar and restaurant serves up a traditional British dining experience with dishes including pulled beef sliders, loaded fries, lemon garlic popcorn chicken and buffalo chicken wings. The venue has a large screen at the centre and multiple screens scattered around to get a glimpse of the game at all times. The restaurant also has an outdoor terrace, where during the cooler months, visitors can enjoy watching the games from the comfort of an outside table. www.mr-toads-pub-kitchen.com One of the most decorated English football clubs, Manchester United have a strong international following, with fans in many countries around the world. Dubai-based fans meet to cheer the ‘Red Devils’ on at Harvesters at Millennium Plaza Downtown. The British sports bar will be live-steaming all matches throughout the football season on several screens, making it a great place to enjoy the football action. Delight in an endless choice of drinks as the bar is home to 16 different types of hops from 10 different countries. Tuck into dishes from Indian flavours to light bites including tikka masala, cheese quesadilla, crunchy chicken schnitzel, spicy chick fries and traditional cheesecake. www.harvesters-restaurant.com Newcastle United fans head down to Brooklyn Bar at Elite Byblos Hotel, Al Barsha to watch the game alongside other ‘Magpies’ fans, during the English Premier League. The American sports bar will stream all the matches on big screens to ensure fans can watch every single part of the game. Tuck into a variety of American dishes and international dishes including mac and cheese, Philly cheese steak sandwich, Brooklyn burger, chicken tenders, Brooklyn hot dog, seafood pizza and crabstick salad. After the football action, challenge friends to a few rounds of pool and darts. www.brooklyn-bar-dubai.com Harvesters Millennium Plaza Downtown Brooklyn Bar Elite Byblos Hotel Nelson’s Media Rotana Mr Toad’s, Premier Inn Barsha Heights After a season where they won a major trophy for the first time in 43 years, West Ham United supporters will again be gathering at Nelson’s at Media Rotana, Barsha Heights. The bar live streams the games on the video wall, featuring a large screen and also has multiple televisions around the venue, to catch every second of the game, making it a brilliant place to catch all the sporting action throughout the EPL season. While watching the ‘Hammers’, tuck into delicious traditional British dishes including cobb salad, bangers and mash, charcoal grilled prawns, smoked salmon and avocado, steak sandwich and apple pie, as well as hops on tap. During breaks and to unwind after the nail-biting games, fans can also play a round of pool. www.rotana.com Double Decker Pub at Swissotel Al Murooj, Downtown Dubai, is home to the Dubai-based supporters of North London team Tottenham Hotspur. The bar has a delicious range of food to enjoy including chicken tikka salad, sloppy joe slider, steak and chips andcitrus lamb rack, for all that visit.Whileat thepub, fans of the English Premier League can catch the game happening throughout the season, with a large screen at the centre and multiple screens around the restaurant. An outdoor terrace is also available for individuals to catch the match and enjoy the view, during the cooler months. www.double-decker-pub.com Double Decker Pub Swissotel Al Murooj After an absence of two seasons, Sheffield United are back in the top tier of English football, and supporters of the ‘Blades’ can watch their team in action at Spikes Sports Bar and Terrace at Emirates Golf Club. Fans will not miss a minute of the game with 16 screens around the bar and restaurant, as well as a large screen on the terrace, great for the cooler months. Tuck into dishes like prawn kunafa, Spike Wagyu beef burger, poached lobster salad, supreme nachos and chicken wings, while taking in the views of the lush golf course. www.spike-bar.com Spikes Sports Bar and Terrace Emirates Golf Club
CONNECTOR.AE 16 CONNECTOR.AE 17 Dining Around Dining Around The recently openedSMOKD Eatery at Boxpark Dubai is a brilliant place to check out to enjoy appetising dishes, that will have diners coming back for more. The restaurant has outdoor seating, that is amazing to enjoy during the cooler months with picturesque views of the sunset in the evening and plush indoor seating, decked out in a terracotta and mint green scheme, with a direct glimpse into the open kitchen, watching the Chefs cook. Cool down from the humid weather with drinks, where the chilli mango margarita and strawberry passion mojito were light and refreshing, and the perfect SMOKD Eatery - Creole Flavours At Its Best Enjoying a meal in Dubai is always an experience, as there is always a wide array of cuisines and flavours to choose from. start to all that was to come. Each great meal has a starter, with options from baby gems salad and SMOKD tonnato, the choices here do not disappoint. One of the highlights from the starters was the rock shrimps that were battered and deep-fried to a golden hue. When dipped into the spicy mayonnaise was a brilliant balance of flavours. Moving on to the SMOKD Signatures, the SMOKD prime short ribs were a show and burst of flavours all in one. The dish was brought to the table where a blowtorch was used to sear the meat and when tucked in, instantly fell off the bone. Covered in barbeque sauce and served with a side of pumpkin butternut puree, it was an amazing medley of flavours. The mains under Heavy, were filling and satisfying. The linguine was served with SMOKD brisket, tomato concasse and brisket tempura as well as the spaghetti with crabmeat, pine nuts and heirloom tomatoes, which had the right balance of flavours and were decadent dishes to tuck into. No meal is ever complete without dessert and it was definitely the star of the show. The cheesecake was topped with orange zest that was added to the dish and made the taste buds sing. The average price for a starter, main and dessert is Dhs 190. Call 04-5297842 REVIEW Ten To Try: Kunafa Anyone in the UAE can vouch for kunafa being a very popular sweet dish found in the Middle East. Kunafa is made with two layers, cheese at the bottom which consists of cream, akkawi or nabulsi cheese, and semolina or shredded phyllo dough to make the top layer. The dish is served hot and is topped off with sugar syrup to give it its distinctive taste, along with either pistachios or hazelnuts. The sweet treat originated in the city of Nablus in Palestine which to this day, is still known for the delicious dish, however now with multiple variations made around the Middle East. If on the hunt to find this mouthwatering dessert around the UAE, then Connector has come up with some spots to definitely check out.
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CONNECTOR.AE 20 CONNECTOR.AE 21 Dining Around Dining Around Chicken Biryani To Make The Heart Happy Biryani is a popular dish cooked around South Asia, and is great for sharing at a family get-together or gatherings to mark a special occasion. Biryani is traditionally made with rice, spices and protein including meat, vegetables or fish, and has many variations, based on the region it comes from. Cooking the dish is a detailed process, which serves delicious results once completed. The origins of the dish are not clear but can be found dating back to the 16th century during the Mughal Empire. Biryani can be made either by layering or mixing all the ingredients together and slow cooking it in a pot. The dish is traditionally served with raita, made with yoghurt, cucumber, tomatoes and onions, as well as pickle, that is made by preserving a vegetable or fruit of choice, from cucumber to mango, in brine, vinegar and oil. Chef Faizan Ali, Head Chef at Khyber, Dukes The Palm has created a delicious chicken biryani, that has received high acclaim at the restaurant, and when cooked, is definitely one that will have everyone coming back for seconds. 1. To marinate the chicken, in a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with yoghurt, ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala and salt. Coat the chicken pieces well with the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for more flavour. 2. To make the rice, wash the basmati rice under running water until the water runs clear, Ingredients: For Marinating The Chicken: 600g Chicken Pieces 100g Yoghurt 1/2 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste 1/2 Tablespoon Turmeric Powder 1/2 Tablespoon Red Chilli Powder 1/2 Tablespoon Cumin Powder 1/2 Tablespoon Coriander Powder 1/2 Tablespoon Garam Masala Salt To Taste For The Rice: 500g Basmati Rice Whole Spices: Cinnamon Sticks, Cardamom Pods, Cloves And Bay Leaves 1 Teaspoon Salt For The Biryani: 100ml Cooking Oil 400g Thinly Sliced Onion 3 Green Chillies, Split Lengthwise 1/2 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste 1g Of Saffron Soaked In Milk 1 Tablespoon Kewda Water 1/2 Tablespoon Turmeric Powder 1 Tablespoon Deggi Mirch Powder 1/2 Tablespoon Cumin Powder 1/2 Tablespoon Coriander Powder 1/2 Tablespoon Garam Masala Salt For Garnish And Toppings: 60g Fried Onions 60g Roasted Cashew 20g Chopped Mint Leaves 20g Chopped Coriander Leaves and then soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes. 3. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the whole spices. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water. 4. Cook the rice until it is about 80% done, ensuring that the grains are firm and separate. 5. Drain the rice and set it aside. 6. Heat oil in a large pot. Add the sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove half of the fried onions and set them aside for garnishing. 7. Add the marinated chicken to the pot and cook it over medium heat until it is browned and cooked partially. Add green chillies and a pinch of salt. Sauté until chicken is soft and the mixture is well combined. 8. To layer the biryani, spread half of the partially cooked rice over the chicken mixture in the pot. Sprinkle some mint leaves, coriander leaves, and some of the saffron-soaked milk over the rice. Repeat the layers with the remaining rice and garnish. 9. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid or seal it with aluminium foil to lock in the steam. Place the pot over low heat and let the biryani cook for about 20 to 30 minutes. The slow cooking process allows the flavours to blend. 10. Once the biryani is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes. Gently fluff the rice with a fork to mix the layers. 11. Garnish the biryani with the reserved fried onions, roasted cashew, and remaining mint and coriander leaves. Recipe:
CONNECTOR.AE 22 CONNECTOR.AE 23 Dining Around Dining Around Chef ’s Corner: Lewis Prior Chefs are one of the main reasons for the smooth running of a restaurant and are responsible for managing the menu, prepping and cooking the dishes. A head chef helps in ensuring that the restaurant runs smoothly, making sure the food is cooked inthe rightmanner, overlooking day-to-day operations, and approving dishes before they are taken out to diners. Chef Lewis Prior, Head Chef at The Coterie, Ibn Battuta Mall, has had a passion for cooking ever since he was working part-time at his aunt’s restaurant while studying, and channels it into his roles at the restaurant. Having moved around the world serving food to people in the United Kingdom, France and Cyprus, Chef Lewis Prior has also cooked for the England football team and the commander of the national guard of Bahrain. Looking for a new adventure, Chef Lewis Prior made his way to Dubai where he was part of the opening team for the Korean concept restaurant, Kojaki at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chef Lewis Prior then made his way to The Coterie, where he shares his love for British dishes with people in Dubai and went from Sous Chef to Head Chef, within six months at the restaurant. In this feature, Chef Lewis Prior shares with Connector his favourite midnight snacks to a dish he recommends at the restaurant. How did you get started in the food industry? When I was growing up, my aunt owned a restaurant where my Mum, cousins and friends worked. I started out restocking the fridges on Sunday morning and eventually moved into the kitchen. What is your earliest cooking memory? My earliest memory is baking with my Mum. We used to do a lot of home cooking. I remember one time, I baked a cake and could not find any red food colouring so I used barbeque flavouring instead. My family still ate the cake even though they knew. What is your favourite dish from your country? I would have to say fish and chips. Even though you would think it sounds simple to make it can be quite easy to get wrong. Living near the east coast of the UK for most of my life, I have experienced some of the best fish and chips in the UK. We even won awards for our fish and chips at one of my previous restaurants. What is the one go-to and easy snack you love making for midnight cravings? I am very bad for late-night snacks but you can not go wrong with a crisp sandwich, made with crisps in bread and butter. What is the one raw ingredient you cannot cook without from your country? I would say potatoes. We have very good potatoes in the UK. They are so versatile, you can use them in almost any dish. What is the best dish to try at your restaurant? The Sunday roast. We are becoming known for having the best roast in Dubai even after only being open for a few months.
CONNECTOR.AE 24 CONNECTOR.AE 25 Kids And Education Kids And Education How To Make A Last Minute School Choice For Your Child Schools around the UAE are currently on break for the summer holidays, and will be back in session shortly. However, many parents are still trying to find a school for their child that is the right fit, whether because it is their child’s first time in school, or they are new to the country or are looking to move their child to a new school. Choosing a school is an important decision that can be extremely overwhelming, especially when time is of the essence and a choice needs to be made quick. To help on this, Connector has spoken to schools around the UAE to get some tips on how to make that last-minute school decision easier. Doing research into the different schools in the UAE is a critical task, while narrowing down the list for a child. While doing research on what school would be a suitable fit, there are some key factors to keep in mind to make the process easier: Choosing the right curriculum: The UAE is home to so many nationalities and cultures and the education system caters to the needs of all students. There are four main curricula in the UAE for private schools including American, British, Indian and International Baccalaureate. Each curriculum caters to various needs that students have and based on requirements, should be selected. Shiny Davison, Principal at The Indian Academy School Dubai said, “Education is a lifelong process, and any parent would like to give the best. An easy decision is to go for a school that follows the recommended Government Board of their home country. This serves as a benchmark for the parents to validate their child’s education.” It is also important to consider whether changing curriculums will benefit students when looking for a different school or moving countries. Each curriculum has different methods of teaching students based on their age group, and parents should look into the benefits of the various curricula available in the UAE, and make a decision accordingly. Kelvin Hornsby, Principal/CEO at GEMS World Academy in Abu Dhabi and Senior Vice President - Education at GEMS Education said, “Many parents often stay with what they know in terms of their home country’s curriculum for ease of transition, but there may be enormous benefits to considering other curricula and teaching approaches that might be more appropriate to the needs of their child.” Values of a school: Another key aspect to look into is the values of the schools shortlisted, and assessing whether they line up with the needs of the student. If a child is more inclined towards extracurriculars or academics, the school should offer the right programmes to help the student reach their goal. Amy Carroll, Vice President at Ranches Primary School in Dubai said, “Finding a school that aligns with your values is important because it allows for a collaborative partnership to support your child’s growth. When values are shared, parents and educators can work together to create an environment where your child can truly thrive. It fosters a sense of belonging and ensures a consistent approach to education, both at home and at school.” Fees: A critical aspect in finding the right school is if the schools fall into the budget set by the parents. Based on the rating that each school gets from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the school fees can be increased accordingly. Schools that receive high ratings are eligible to increase fees and low-rated schools are not permitted to raise fees. Additionally, many schools also offer extracurricular activities as part of the fees and can help students develop their skills during school hours.
CONNECTOR.AE 26 CONNECTOR.AE 27 Kids And Education Kids And Education earlier to make it in time for the bus and will also reach home late. Shiny Davison of The Indian Academy School Dubai said, “Very essential to have distance looked upon so that your child spends a maximum of 45 minutes to 1 hour. Travelling for more than an hour is exhausting for the child and hard on the brain to focus during the day of learning.” Check The School’s Ratings: A key factor to also consider when deciding last minute is the ratings of the school. During each academic year, schools are rated by the KHDA, based on the overall experience offered at each school. Additionally, schools are also reviewed by other local and international organisations on the quality of education provided. This can help narrow down the search and make it easier to decide if the school is the right fit for the student. Kimberly Highland, Marketing Manager at The English College said, “Examining the school’s inspections and accreditations is valuable. For instance, The English College is recognised as an Outstanding school by British Schools Overseas and a Very Good School by Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau. However, it is worth noting that our school prides itself on exceptional pastoral care. In fact, we were recently shortlisted as one of the happiest schools in the UAE by the Top School Awards. Another thing to consider is that some schools might have already filled up for a specific age group and do not have spaces in the year group required. It is crucial to call the schools in advance while doing research to see whether the required class places are available, so the limited amount of time parents have to source a school, is only spent on schools with places. Visiting the school is a great way to make a quick decision, as while on a school tour, parents can talk to the teachers, see how to school functions and look at the facilities. However, during the summer holidays, and when there is a time crunch, visiting schools is not always a viable option. Some schools offer virtual tours where parents can view the school facilities online, and a lot of schools, though not operating, are still open for one on one tours, which can give insight and get an idea into school life. Kelvin Hornsby, of GEMS World Academy in Abu Dhabi added, “The first step is to research the best providers. GEMS Education has a long legacy of excellent provision in the UAE and is the largest provider. Ensure that you request a tour, which you can do virtually if you have not arrived in the country yet.” If there is the opportunity to visit a school while it is not operating, here are some tips to keep in mind and check while on the tour: Shiny Davison of The Indian Academy School Dubai said, “Affordability is a main factor as expatriates we all live on a budget and it is essential for parents to choose a school that will best suit the family’s budget. There are options in Dubai where schools also provide a wide range of extracurricular activities, within school hours.” Location of the school: Commute to school is an aspect that should definitely be looked into while choosing a school. Most students in the UAE take the school bus and based on the route, the trip can run longer, with students having to wait in the bus till they reach school and get dropped off. Checking the route beforehand makes it easier to decide if the commute is feasible for your child, for five days of the week. Additionally, schools that are within walking distance, can be reached on foot with friends or by cycling, making it easier for the child while having a fun time going to and from school. Amy Carroll of Ranches Primary School said, “When deciding on a school for your child, it is important to consider your location and commute. Ideally, the school should seamlessly integrate into your family’s daily life. Think about whether you want your child to have the opportunity to ride their bike or walk to school with their friends. Additionally, check if the school bus serves your community. To get a sense of what your daily trips will look like, I recommend doing a trial commute during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.” If the journey to school takes over 45 minutes, it can make it a tiring trip for students. As schools start early in the morning, students will have to wake up The environment of the school: Schools that have a warm and comfortable environment will help students excel, as they will be able to truly hone in on their talents and work on building life skills for the future. If able to tour the school before the school year begins, it is important to consider that the facilities might cater to a student’s needs, however, parents will not be able to see the interactions between teachers and students, as schools are not in session. For last-minute decisions, visiting the school can be difficult and while communicating with the admission staff, ask for videos from the previous academic year or visit the school’s social media pages to get a glimpse into the school. Kimberly Highland of The English College said, “When conducting a tour of school facilities during the school holidays, it is important to consider that the experience may differ from the regular academic year. While the impressive facilities may capture your attention, focusing on the interaction between teachers and students is crucial. To better understand this dynamic, we recommend requesting videos from the school or exploring their social media platforms. Doing so lets you assess whether they showcase student achievements, values, and activities.”
CONNECTOR.AE 28 Kids And Education Trust personal instincts: Parents are the caretakers of their children and know them the best. While making a last-minute decision, it is vital to trust personal instincts and go with the school that feels right and caters to the needs of the child. Think of whether the child will thrive in the environment and if what they require from academic to extracurricular support is offered by the school. Amy Carroll of Ranches Primary School said, “Trusting your instincts is essential when it comes to choosing the right school for your child. As parents, you possess a deep understanding of your child’s needs and what environment will best support their growth and development. Trusting your gut instinct can guide you towards making a decision that aligns with your intuition and ultimately benefits your child’s educational journey.” Choosing the right school can be a difficult choice for parents that are making a last-minute decision. However, with the help of these tips that highlight the most important factors to consider, and by visiting schools, virtually or in-person, can make the decision process an easier one for parents. Involvement of parents in decisions: Parents play a vital role in the development of a child, as learning is not only limited to schools and is also implemented at home. Parents are the decision makers for their children and it is necessary for parents to be involved in their educational journey. While choosing a school, join online school groups as well as talk to parents with students enrolled to get a better understanding of how the school involves parents in making decisions for their child. Emma Shanahan of Aspen Heights British School said, “How does the school engage families in supporting them to support their child’s learning? A true learning community gives everyone- children, staff and families, the opportunity to grow and develop. How would you be involved in your child’s learning journey in this school? If you wanted or needed advice or support, are you clear on how you would be able to receive this?” Show starts at 8:30pm thelaughterfactory.com The Hilarity Expedition to the Naughty Pole featuring: Ryan Cullen, Karen Bayley & Nick Page august 18-26
CONNECTOR.AE 30 CONNECTOR.AE 31 Kids And Education Kids And Education Meet The Teacher: Bernadite Rakhee Students and parents alike can vouch for the fact that teachers are one of the essential parts of the smooth running of a school. Be it from developing life skills, posing as a mentor to students and helping to nurture creativity in young minds. Bernadite Rakhee, Section Head of The Indian Academy Dubai, Muhaisnah 4 is a great model for the children she teaches, and strives to transform the lives of her students through the power of learning. Having started her teaching journey in India, Bernadite Rakhee has amassed over 21 years of experience, 10 of which, were spent developing the talents of children in Dubai. With a degree in English Literature and specialising in Pre-Primary Teaching, Bernadite Rakhee enjoys making learning for her students an interactive one, where children can share thoughts with one another and work together, to understand the material in a fun way. Bernadite Rakhee believes that children are vital in the way the knowledge that is taught during classes is understood, and works alongside her students to teach in a way that they can grasp concepts easily. Additionally, Bernadite Rakhee makes sure that while teaching, the subjects taught are not only imparted but also used as a learning method, to further implement it in her student’s lives. In this feature, Bernadite Rakhee tells Connector about how she found her passion for teaching, to the things done to make daily classes more interesting for students. What inspired you to start teaching? The one person who inspired me to become a teacher was my mother. She felt that teaching is a respectful profession and always wanted me to become one. How did you decide to teach your current subject? I always wanted to make learning fun, interesting and innovative for the students, and that is why I explored the Early Years Foundation Stage program. Why do you love teaching? I love kids. They bring a lot of joy, peace and love to my daily life. I forget all my stress and worries when I am with these little ones. Do you remember your favourite teacher from school? I do, my favourite teacher was my Math teacher, who made me fall in love with the subject that I hated the most. How do you make everyday classes more interesting? I make everyday classes more interesting through the ‘The Play Method’. I make sure every child enjoys learning through fun. I allow them to explore and learn through hands-on activities, group discussions and peer learning. What is a unique part of the school? The IndianAcademyDubai believes that every child is unique and sets high expectations for every child. The students are encouraged to take pride and achieve success both in academics and non-academics. What would you do if you were not a teacher? If I was not a teacher, I would definitely be a lawyer.
CONNECTOR.AE 32 CONNECTOR.AE 33 Kids And Education Kids And Education Get All The Back To School Essentials! Back-to-school season is here, and with all the fun and entertainment from the summer break, everyone is in now in preparation mode and on the hunt to shop for all the school essentials to ensure that students are ready to go back to the classroom and lecture hall. Shopping for the right products to make sure students are prepared for a productive year is a difficult task, and with an overwhelming range of options, from stationery to electronics and shoes, finding necessities can be challenging. Do not fear as Connector is here and in this feature, have compiled a list of amazing essentials to make sure students have everything they need for the whole school year. muji uniball staedtler deli sambox UNIBALL Uniball 307 Gel Pen Black 2ct KINOKUNIYA Moleskine Classic Notebook DELI Stick-Up Plastic Erasers MUJI Soft Film Clear A4 Folder Wide, A4, 20 Pockets TYPO Typo Double Campus Pencil Case Dhs 42 Dhs 116 Dhs 11.25 Dhs 25 Dhs 54 STAEDTLER Staedtler Textsurfer Classic Highlighters 6 PCS POST IT Post It Notes Dhs 26 Dhs 26 STATIONERY SAM BOX Eazy Kids 3D Pencil Case - Astronaut Dhs 29 post it
CONNECTOR.AE 34 CONNECTOR.AE 35 Kids And Education Kids And Education kinokuniya uhu sambox UHU UHU Glue Stick SAMBOX Eazy Kids 3D Pencil Case - Unicorn Pink ARIUL Staedtler Pencils and Sharpener Set Dhs 18.50 Dhs 29 Dhs 38.25 KINOKUNIYA Sinarline Plain Exercise Book Dhs 5 faber castel typo FABER CASTEL Faber-Castell Drawing Book With Colour Pencils, Felt Pens and Crayons TYPO Typo Harry Potter Pencil Case Dhs 26.75 Dhs 59 cello CELLO Cello 50-Piece Finegrip Ball Pen Black/Clear Dhs 60 STATIONERY omiebox next samsung Petitfee borders clarks Beauty of Joseon NEXT Rainbow Stripe Backpack DAISO Minnie Mouse Sipper Water Bottle OMIEBOX Omiebox Kids Lunch Box CLARKS Girls - Ath Tone Toddler. ARIUL Lightning McQueen Spiral Straw Water Bottle CLARKS Boys - Flare Cosmo Kid Black Combi EROS Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 4GB/128GB 10.4” Dhs 80 Dhs 28 Dhs 199 Dhs 275 Dhs 28 Dhs 375 Dhs 1,499 NEXT Smiggle Backpack MUNCHBOX Sparkle Blue Lunch Box Dhs 188 Dhs 199 PRIMARY
CONNECTOR.AE 36 CONNECTOR.AE 37 Kids And Education Kids And Education ADIDAS Superstar Shoes Dhs 329 JASHANMAL Kipling Seoul Backpacks Red Rouge Dhs 469 adidas nike heimish converse kipling virgin megastore apple NIKE Stainless Steel Recharge Straw Bottle (700ml) VIRGIN MEGASTORE Legami Lunch Box - Flash (18 X 10cm) ADIDAS Stan Smith Shoes VIRGIN MEGASTORE Lekue Lunch Box To Go-Citrus Fruit Dhs 150 Dhs 69 Dhs 349 Dhs 89 SUN AND SAD SPORTS Converse All Star Chuck Patch Backpack ISTYLE 10.9-inch iPad Air Wi-Fi 64GB - Blue Dhs 125 Dhs 2,499 SECONDARY istyle EROS rivacase jacky’s electronics virgin megastore istyle converse istyle JACKY’S ELECTRONICS WD Elements Portable 4TB VIRGIN MEGASTORE Hydro Flask Vaccum Water Bottle Wide Mouth 950ml - Indigo EROS ASUS Vivabook 15 8GB RAM 512GB SSD 15.6 Inch ISTYLE Apple MacBook Air M2 256GB - Midnight NAMSHI Typo Core Laptop Cover 15” ISTYLE Satechi Hub TYPE C Slim Multimedia Adapter V2 - Space gray ISTYLE RivaCase 7903 MacBook Pro and Ultrabook Sleeve 13.3” Dhs 449 Dhs 189 Dhs 2,299 Dhs 4,599 Dhs 159 Dhs 299 Dhs 150 NAMSHI Nike Air Force 1 JASHANMAL Eastpak Pinnacle Cloud Navy NAMSHI Converse Chuck Taylor All Star ISTYLE Microsoft 365 Personal English Middle East DM Subscr 1YR Dhs 635 Dhs 379 Dhs 275 Dhs 315 UNIVERSITY
CONNECTOR.AE 38 CONNECTOR.AE 39 Health and Wellness Health and Wellness Boosting A Child’s Immune System Before Back To School As the holidays are coming to an end, and children are getting ready to go back to school, parents are ensuring that everything is in place, and one of the things being looked at is their child’s wellness. Children are prone to picking up germs and it is important to make sure that they are feeling healthy and ready for the start of the new school year. One of the ways to ensure a child is healthy, able to fight off germs and bacteria and maintain a trouble-free school year is by getting their immunity on par. This can be done through immunisations, which provide the right antibodies to fight diseases. Connector has spoken to medical experts around the UAE to get insight into the importance of taking vaccinations, to ensure children are set to go back to school. Vaccinations help in protecting children from catching various illnesses or reduce the intensity of them when contracted, by boosting their immunity to fight them. Dr Aji Mathew, Consultant in General Paediatrics at Mubadala Health Dubai said, “Vaccination is the easiest, cheapest, and most reliable way to protect your child from deadly diseases. In the past, these diseases caused a lot of serious harm, and now, they are on the brink of extinction, primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. Vaccination either protects your child from contracting an illness or can reduce the severity of the illness and reduce the disease burden in the community. Considering the advances in medicine, vaccines are now easily available in nearly all countries and are safe to be administered to children.” Before being administered to children, vaccinations undergo rigorous testing to make sure they are effective in providing the individual with the required antibodies to fight off disease, and only once approved, are given to children. Dr Ghassan Soud, Consultant Paediatrics at Mediclinic Dubai Mall stated, “Only minor side effects are encountered with vaccines and the most common side effects of vaccines are: - Pain, swelling or redness at the injection site - Mild fever - Chills - Feeling tired - Headache - Muscle and joint aches Usually, they last 48 hours and rarely last longer, the vaccine will never give the disease, which it is supposed to prevent.” There are some children that are exempt or are not advised to take vaccinations, due to pre-underlying health issues. In such cases, it is advised to first consult the family doctor to ensure that it is safe for a child with existing health ailments to take vaccinations. Children that cannot be vaccinated, still have a certain degree of protection when they are around other students that are vaccinated. This is due to herd immunity, which is a result of when large numbers of students are immune to the disease after getting vaccinated, which offers additional protection to children that are not. Dr Mihaela J Svorcina, General Practitioner at Dubai Cosmetic Surgery said, “The only children who should not have vaccines are those who had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or those with weakened immune systems. They need to rely on herd immunity, for example, that others in their community have had vaccines and therefore the disease will not be spread.”
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