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Lulu Hypermarket is staging its first-ever American Festival today with a whole host of attractions, activities and a fabulous selection of fare on offer.
The popular store’s ‘Discover America’ promotion, which runs until November 27, will celebrate the popular culture and cuisine of the country as well as the deep-rooted friendship between Bahrain and America.
The celebration will be inaugurated at Lulu Hypermarket, Hidd, by American Ambassador to Bahrain, William F Roebuck.
“The American Festival is a unique opportunity to celebrate the colourful, modern culture of the US which has so many admirers,” said Lulu Hypermarket’s regional director Juzer Rupawala. “Through this American Festival, we want to tap into this interest and bring the people of Bahrain and the American community here even closer together.”
The festival will showcase more than 2,500 American brands and products that the hypermarket promotes. In addition, many companies have come together to highlight the US’s commercial and technological prowess and its well-established and blossoming partnerships in the kingdom.
As part of the fun, Lulu has arranged for a parade of Harley Davidson motorcycles, whose riders will drive to the Hidd venue and give visitors a glimpse of the celebrated machines and offers customers a chance to experience a simulator ride.
For those who love all things on four wheels, there will be an American Muscle Car Display featuring a range of vehicles including vintage cars and superbly-maintained examples belonging to members of the Mustang Club.
There will also be American cars on display from companies such as Dodge dealers Ahmed Zayani & Sons.
Locally-based organisations such as the American Women’s Association will also share cultural insights and conduct a membership drive and visitors will be entertained by American country music singer, Nicole Peters.
American culinary specials will also be on display through a demonstration by celebrated Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay’s Executive Chef Ben Small. He comes from Los Angeles and shortly after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America he went to work with the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group at Spago Beverly Hills.
He was appointed Sous Chef at WP24 @ the Ritz-Carlton LA Live before moving to the East Coast as the Executive Sous Chef for The Source by Wolfgang Puck in Washington DC.
After a spell of more than two years he spent several months training at CUT Beverly Hills at Four Seasons Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel before taking on the Bahrain challenge. He said: “My passion for food and beverage started at a very young age … standing on a stool in the kitchen with my noni when I was a young boy. The ability to always be growing and learning while creating great flavours and experiences for others has always been very exciting and fulfilling to me.”
His favourite dish is Rotisserie Pouisson (baby chicken) with hand cut fries ‘simplicity at its finest’.
Soft drinks giant Coca-Cola, which boasts a bottling plant in Bahrain, has also confirmed its support of the American Festival with a display of art made from used cans. Recycled art will be sold to raise funds for good causes.
The whole of the Lulu Hidd premises will resonate with the American colours of red, white and blue and cut-outs of American landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and flags of both countries will give a festival buzz to the venue.
