Programme for Fez Culinary Festival

DIPLOMATIE CULINAIRE - Troisième édition du Festival du 19 au 22 avril 2018 The third edition of the Festival of Culinary Diplomacy opens tomorrow.

For more information visit the official website or Facebook page

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Fes Festival of Culinary Diplomacy

Culinary diplomacy and Mediterranean Cultures at the service of Peace is the name of a culinary event intended to showcase the culinary art of Fez, Seville, Montpellier, Palermo, Istanbul and Beirut

Before the Fes Festival of Sacred Music and the Festival of Sufi Culture, Fez will have its culinary diplomacy Festival. The common point between these three events? Their founder, Faouzi Skali, the man behind the creation of the Fes Sacred Music and Sufi Festivals.

For its first edition, this new festival has opted for an ancient guideline and will relive the Mediterranean gastronomy as it was recorded by the Moroccan geographer Al Idrissi in the 12th century.

In the manuscript - considered the most accurate description at that time  - the author described the culinary peculiarities of each of the cities he visited. Among them, Fez, Seville, Montpellier, Palermo, Istanbul and Beirut. These seven cities will be at the heart of all the event activities: exhibitions cards, cooking workshops, conferences and evenings of tastings.

The French Institute in Fez is the festival partner of this event.

In parallel to the Fez Festival of Culinary Diplomacy will be three film screenings at the library of the French Institute of Fez.

Vatel - directed by Roland Joffé  will screen on Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.

Vatel is a 2000 French-British historical-drama written by Jeanne Labrune and translated by Tom Stoppard, and starring Gérard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Timothy Spall, Julian Glover and Julian Sands. The film, based on the life of 17th-century French chef François Vatel, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction – Set Decoration. The film opened the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.

The Flavours of the Palace from director Christian Vincent will screen on Friday, April 15, 6:30 p.m.

Catherine Frot shines in Christian Vincent's film for foodies in which haute cuisine meets politics in Paris and spartan life in the wastes of Antarctica

Warning: this film should not be watched on an empty stomach. In this tale of the humouring of an ageing president's gastronomic whims, the spectator is regaled with a long succession of scenes in which recipes are discussed in loving detail and meals are prepared with the devotion of a sacrament. The film is light on plot, long on flavour and deliciously French.

The story is based on the real-life case of Danièle Delpeuch, a modest provincial chef and restaurant-owner who in the late 1980s was summoned by President François Mitterrand to be his personal cook at his official residence, the Elysée Palace. Danièle becomes Hortense (Catherine Frot) and Mitterrand becomes the President, played by the 87-year-old non-actor Jean d'Ormesson, better known as a writer and journalist (in the latter role he was for many years one of Mitterrand's fiercest adversaries, an irony older French filmgoers will savour). The President has developed a hankering for the traditional regional cuisine he knew in his youth and decided that Hortense is just the woman he needs to provide him with "the best of France."

A Matter of Taste directed by Bernard Rapp screens on Saturday, April 16, 6:30 p.m.

With Bernard Giraudeau, Jean-Pierre Lorit, Charles Berling

A Matter of Taste (French: ''Une affaire de goût'') is a 2000 film directed by Bernard Rapp. Rapp and Gilles Taurand wrote the screenplay which was based on the book "Affaires de goût" by Philippe Balland. The film received 5 César Award nominations, including the nomination for Best Film.

Frederic Delamont industrial atop its success, refined, original and phobic, meeting in a restaurant a young interim server, Nicolas Rivière. A few days later, it is received by Delamont who asked him to be, against a high salary, especially its taster. What starts as an unusual but lightweight professional relationship will be revealed soon be a much more dangerous game for both men.

Bon Appétit!

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Fez Culinary Festival 2011

Bad news for Fez food lovers, gourmet tourists, cooks, chefs and those who simply like to eat - this year the Fez Culinary Festival has been cancelled.

Last year was 5th edition of the festival and included, exhibitions, tastings, workshops and talkshops, demonstrations, a gala dinner with a fashion show, a film screening for children, a visit to the souk and even a concert. The woman at the helm was Director Danielle Cabanis, Professor of Law and Politics at Toulouse University. It was judged to be a great success.

News from the Director of the Spirit of Fez Foundation, Faouzi Skali, is that the next Culinary Festival will take place in 2012.

According to Gail Leonard from Fez Food, (pictured right)  "This is disappointing news for foodies and for Fez. It is a pity, as the Moroccan cuisine has so much to offer.


However, on the bright side, visitors can still come to Fez and experience all the culinary adventures that we offer. No matter if it is a cooking class or an olive oil and wine tasting excursion, all they have to do is get in touch with us and we can arrange anything!"

To contact Gail Leonard visit: Fez Food

You have to love an "oops"!

From time to time I have used my commentator and opinion role on the View from Fez to bemoan the orientalist nonsense that gets perpetuated by the mainstream media when it writes about Morocco. However, this time, it is just a chuckle.


The National Review Online's man in Marrakech has started a small "brush fire" as my American friends call it. In his Marrakech Journal he wrote: The Star of David is the symbol of Morocco. It’s woven into everything, including the logo of Royal Air Maroc. For some reason, I have a feeling they don’t call it the Star of David in Morocco.

Naturally, his readers were quick to point out that counting the number of points on a star will assist in naming it. Quite right too.

Then there was this: Finally, want to tell you this: All over the Medina here in Marrakech this morning, I saw the word “Derb” — meaning “Dead End.” I am sure his readers will point out the correct translation at some point. Anyway, on the upside, Jay Nordlinger does bring an, er, fresh perspective. I don't know how long Jay will be amongst us, but let me be among the first to say "Welcome to Morocco, Jay".

Fez Culinary Festival

The View from Fez is delighted to learn than the Fez Culinary Festival will be held from 29-31 October at various venues in the medina.

This 5th edition of the festival will offer an exhibition, tastings, workshops and talkshops, demonstrations, a gala dinner with a fashion show, a film screening for children, a visit to the souk and even a concert.

The woman behind this revamped, innovative-sounding festival is Director Danielle Cabanis, Professor of Law and Politics at Toulouse University. It will be presented by the Spirit of Fez Foundation.

'In Fez', Cabanis explains, 'all the traditions, cultures and religions are found. The Culinary Festival this year will showcase the celebratory foods of the three Abrahamic faiths, and bring together spirituality, music, exhibitions and cooking. Sharing festival food together in some of the most beautiful buildings of the city will create a festive spirit of conviviality.'

Danielle Cabanis

As was seen at the recent Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, a wider range of medina venues will be used than in the past, including Dar Mokri, Bab al Makina, the Batha Museum, Dar Tazi, the Merinides Hotel and the Palais Jamai.

Here is the programme:

FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER

14h00 Opening at Bab al Makina

15h00 Opening of the exhibition:

Celebration table settings:

- traditional Moroccan, European and Asian

- tableware from Morocco, Italy, Portugal, France and Germany

- glass and metalware from France and the Czech Republic

Cookbooks: celebratory meals from around the Mediterranean. Authors in attendance for signing and talking about their books.

Cooking utensils old and new

Diaporama of music used for festivals

16h00 Workshops:

1. Small Christmas cakes: Inge Anex-Hegenscheidt

2. Ramadan patisserie

3. Patisserie for children

18h30 Tastings

Film screening for children 'Ratatouille' in the Salle de la Mairie

20h00 Dinner: traditional Muslim dishes

SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER

09h00 Workshops:

1. Traditional Moroccan spices and flavours for celebrations

2. Foie Gras (chef B. Garrigues); Christmas pudding

3. Cheese, with Mme Sena

4. a top Swiss chocolatier

09h30 Opening of activities around culinary traditions: demonstrations and tastings

10h00 Conference:

- Festive gastonomy: an important market (with representatives from Nestle, poultry and ostrich farmers, and the Moroccan food distribution industry)

- Frauds and festivals - or consumer protection, with Prof Andre Cabanis

- Religious and patriotic festivals in the USA, with Sylvie Davidson, Professor at Dickinson College

Light lunch with traditional Christian and Muslim dishes, attended by the wives of ambassadors.

14h30 Workshops and tastings:

1. Small Christmas cakes, with Inge Anex-Hegenscheidt

2. Ramadan patisserie

3. Table settings, presentation and serviette-folding, with Professor Christophe Laurent of the Lausanne Hotel School

4. Demonstration of cooking equipment

15h00 Conference:

- Festive meals in painting, with Guy de Toulza, Ecole des Beaux Arts

- Musicians and festive gastronomy, with Marc Laborde, Director of CRDP

- Festivals as seen by writers, with Georges Mailhos, former President of Toulouse Le Mirail

- Meals for festivals and sharing, with Danielle Cabanis

19h00 Concert with soloists from the Passions Orchestra

20h30 Gala dinner: pastilla, turkey, Christmas desserts

with a Moroccan and European fashion show

SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER

09h00 Workshops:

1. Festival menus revisited (with video and reports)

2. Decor for religious festivals: pinecones, candleholders, balls and chandeliers

3. Festival fruits and vegetables, with Mme Matthey

4. Iranian cocktails

10h30 Conference:

- Does God like festivals? with Chantal Borde-Benayoun, a Moroccan rabbi, Pastor Ellul, Bernard Beignier from the Law faculty at Toulouse, an imam

12h00 Buffet prepared by the Moroccan Jewish community

from 13h00

Tasting lunch at Bab al Makina with typical dishes from around the world: pilau from central Asia, nasi-goreng from Indonesia, poulet yassa from sub-Saharan Africa, Lebanese mezze, fish couscous, canard confit, Mediterranean kebabs, galettes and crepes, olives, Russian dishes, Polish desserts

Sale of typical products

Musicians: Arab-Andalous, central European Jewish music, children's Christmas choir

15h00 A visit to the vegetable souk

17h00 Closure and announcement of 2011 Festival

It's not clear yet where everything will be held, nor what the costs will be. The Festival's website is under construction at www.festivalartculinaire.com.

The trouble with Tripadvisor

“Find write-ups by professionals whose judgments you trust and rely on that. . . . I would never rely on the judgment of amateurs.” - Arthur Frommer, founder of Frommer’s travel guide laying it on the line about Tripadvisor.

Over the last few days The View from Fez has been emailed by several riad and guest house owners with comments about problems with Tripadvisor.

Here is what one correspondent had to say: "Let's say you open a new guesthouse in Fez (or indeed, anywhere) and of course you want it to do well. So you get all your family and friends to write in to Tripadvisor to say what a marvellous place it is. But then your next-door neighbour opens a guesthouse too, so you get all your family and friends to write in to Tripadvisor again, to tell them what an awful place that is. In a nutshell, Tripadvisor can be manipulated. I'd say heed the warnings, but take the gushings with a pinch of salt."

And another one: "I have just booked with a place "Riad ....".Stupidly I read the reviews on Tripadviser, and 100% disagree with what was said. It was the most appalling stay anywhere. Just wondering if the Riad's reputation is common knowledge, I would really appreciate it, if you had any thoughts on it"

The well known travel magazine Travel & Leisure has published on “Who can you trust,” detailing fake negative and positive reviews appearing on tripadvisor.com for New York hotel that had not yet opened! As travel blog beatofhawaii.com has noted “Perhaps TripAdvisor’s motto, 'get the truth, then go,' needs to be changed to, 'try to find the truth, and go.'”

Award-winning business journalist Barbara E. Hernandez, writing on Bnet, has this to say: I think most people understand that these Web sites which solicit volunteered comments often cater to those with the most extreme views on either end — it skews to people who really liked the place or really disliked it. In some instances, where the negative reviews were unfair, the hotel owner may feel there’s no alternative but to post to try to balance out the review. But that, is a slippery slope.

One of the big problems TripAdvisor is having is that hotel employees are posting negative reviews of competing hotels simply to lower their rankings. Other companies are offering public relations “services” to improve or inflate rankings. It’s no surprise then that TripAdvisor has a warning sticker near these hotels. As always, buyer beware.

Even more bizarre is a report from the New York Times: One recent TripAdvisor review of the agrotourism destination Schrute Farms awarded four stars, lavishly praising the food, while another yielded just one star, casting aspersions on the owners’ sanity. This wild disparity is especially odd because Schrute Farms doesn’t even exist.

The farm “belongs” to Dwight Schrute of the NBC series “The Office” 

The Times of London has kept a keen eye on tripadvisor.com and other travel "review" sites:

These examples are just the tip of an iceberg. The entire industry of reviewing hotels and restaurants is in the midst of a revolution that risks leading customers up the path to Fawlty Towers.

The traditional published guides, often compiled by independent inspectors, are struggling, while online sites where checks are few are proliferating.

A London Sunday Times investigation has shown:

1) “Guests” who have never even stayed at a hotel can boost or depress its rating by posting fake reviews.

2) Poorly rated establishments can lift their reputations from one to four stars in a matter of hours by posting fictional positive reviews.

3) Some establishments attempt to damage the reputations of rivals. So tough is the competition that even top hotels and restaurants would consider placing fake reviews to maintain their status.

The best advice is to remember that real travel guides have traditionally been compiled by professional writers who visit hotels and restaurants incognito and fiercely guard their impartiality. There are some great guides around, so if you are planing a trip to Morocco, we suggest you go get one and save yourself the possibility of misleading information.

A reminder about free classified advertising.

Just a reminder that you can get free classified advertising on our ArtiZany site. The site is read across the country so it doesn't matter if you are in Tangier or Agadir. And check it out for all kinds of things - the latest is a very cheap camper-van!

Visit ArtiZany!

Moroccan cooking unites nations

Popular Moroccan cooking show host, Choumicha, is delighting Algerian audiences during Ramadan.


Al-Arabiya News Channel reports that Choumicha's Ramadan recipes are uniting Algerians and Moroccans in a way that politicians have failed to do.

The recipes, both sweet and savoury, are so popular that people from both countries are coming together to break the fast in the late afternoon, especially in the border areas.

Choumicha has signed several contracts with Algerian companies to sell her recipes. Her clientele includes the wives of senior officials from both countries despite the on-going political disagreement between Morocco and Algeria over the Western Sahara region.

Last Ramadan, Choumicha signed a contract with the Algerian daily newspaper al-Chorouk al-Youmi to publish her recipes every day of the Muslim holy month and this year she has signed up with an Algerian radio station.

Despite her huge success, Choumicha only made her first visit to Algeria in June this year and was impressed by the huge welcome she received. She commented that although there are political issues between the two countries, Moroccans and Algerians themselves are friendly towards each other.

Samir Boudjaja, Commercial Manager at al-Chorouk al-Youmi, said that the circulation of the newspaper increased significantly when they started publishing the recipes last Ramadan. He added that a competition will be held for Algerian women and the winner will be awarded a flight to Morocco where she will be taught how to cook by Choumicha herself.

Moroccan Ramadan Recipe

Ramadan wouldn't be the same without sellou, a sweet, nutty, moreish nibble. Here's how to make it:


1/2kg flour
1/2kg sesame seeds
1/2kg blanched almonds
250g icing sugar
3/4 tbp cinnamon
1/2 tbp ground aniseed
1/4 tsp gum arabic, powdered
1/4 tsp salt
375g butter

First, brown the flour in a dry pan, stirring constantly. Sift into a large bowl.
Wash and drain the sesame seeds, brown them in a pan and grind.
Brown the almonds in a pan and grind them too.
In the large bowl with the flour, add the sugar, almonds, aniseed, cinnamon, gum arabic, sesame and salt.
Melt the butter and allow the milk solids to fall to the bottom of the pan (or use clarified butter). Add the butter to the dry ingredients, leaving behind as much of the milk solids as you can. Mix well.
Form into a pyramid shape on a serving plate, sprinkle with icing sugar and decorate with browned almonds.
You can also mix sellou with some honey, form into balls and dip in sesame seeds.



See all our Moroccan recipes here: MOROCCAN MENU!

Morocco at a glance

Many of the emails received at The View from Fez are questions of how to fit in all of Morocco in a short one or two week trip. The answer is simple - you can't. However if you do have limited time, read on an make decisions about what to see and what to miss. The kingdom is as culturally rich as it is geographically diverse and cannot fail to impress. Here is a reposting of an article that will give you a taste of the treats that Morocco has to offer.

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Fez is the bustling cultural and spiritual centre of Morocco.

Without doubt, the main attraction in Morocco is Fez and central to that attraction is the medieval Fez Medina - the colourful old city, which has been continuously inhabited since the 10th century. It is a busy city which at first glance seems lost in the past with traditionally dressed Moroccans, and rich with the noise of buying and selling, veiled women going about their work and bell-ringing water sellers. However, spend some time observing and you find that it is also right at home with modernity. Almost everyone has a mobile phone and internet cafes are everywhere.

Fez is the last, intact, living and working medina on the planet and despite the modernity we referred to, the initial impression is that you have entered a time warp that takes you back hundreds of years. There are other medinas, but none approach the extraordinary experience that is Fez.

This is not a place for a single day, so, if possible, give yourself at least a week. At first glance, a guided tour is the easiest way to tackle the buzzing hive that is traditional Fez, but if you are brave, you can negotiate the tiny alleyways, too narrow for cars whilst risking getting lost and then haggling with a local to be guided back out! After the first day or two you will be ready to explore on your own and for further information on how to do that, check out our post: Walking the Fez Medina.



See also our post of pictures from around the souks of Fez: Around the souqs and Faces in the Medina Also, if you want a unique experience: A visit to the hammam

The Tanneries: A visit to the souks will lead to a visit to Fez's famous tanneries, where one of the oldest arts in the world is practiced to produce the soft leather do characteristic of Morocco. Many people warn you that you’ll need a strong stomach for the smells given off during curing, while you look down on the fascinating tanners’ yard and its impressive 1000 year old vats of different coloured dyes and piles of skins. However it is not as bad as some sensetive souls insist! Open 9-6, admission free.

View Point: The best vantage point over the ancient walled city is from the ruined Merenid Tombs on a hilltop to the east of the city. From here you can see the skyline with its profusion of satellite dishes, and a general mass of palaces, green-roofed holy places, the tanneries, as well as the adjacent Karaouine Mosque. Sunrise and sunset can be wonderful times to get the best photographs.

Moulay Idriss ll: In the depths of the old city sits the shrine that houses the remains of the founder of the city of Fez, Moulay Idriss II. It is one of the holiest buildings in the city. Non-Muslims may not enter, but you can glimpse inside to see the saint’s tomb, which is receives constant devotional visits from groups of women who burn candles and incense.

A couple of hours from Fez you will find Volubilis: it was built on top of a previous Carthaginian city and dates back to around the 3rd century BC, being a centre of Roman administration in Africa. Volubilis was inhabited until the 18th century, when it was carelessly demolished to provide building materials for the palaces of Moulay Ismail in Meknes. This meant a great deal of Morocco’s Roman architectural heritage was lost. However, today the ruins include some well-preserved columns, a basilica, a triumphal arch and about 30 beautiful mosaics.

Marrakech


Walking through the alleyways and souks of Marrakech, particularly in the Medina of the old city, it is easy to believe you have been transported back in time to the “Arabian Nights”. It is this enchanting mood that brings thousands of sightseers to the most visited of Moroccan cities.

The Medina while not as interesting as that in Fez, is characterized by much noise, hustle and bustle with tradesmen and craftsmen going about their daily tasks of cloth dying, copper beating or leather working, as well as herbalists, perfumers and slipper makers. Snow-covered peaks of the High Atlas Mountains form a beautiful backdrop for the city, although they are often hidden by the heat haze.



Djemaa el-Fna: On the edge of the Medina. It is an irregular 'square' and a hub of action where tourists flock to soak up the busy atmosphere. Tourism, though, has not spoilt, but rather added to the complete picture. This large town square translated as “Square fo the Dead” offers a colourful scene and is a magnet performing artists, snake charmers, musicians, storytellers and healers, all vying for attention. Passing tradesmen offer anything from boiled snails, vegetable soup and kebabs to fresh orange juice. There are many cafés here from which to watch the busy scene, and from where you may then visit the souks to find some shade from the searing Moroccan sun.



Marrakesh has a modern side with its luxury hotels, banks and streets bursting with motor scooters, while it blends effortlessly with the past of the old city. Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Youssef bin Tachfine of the Almoravide dynasty, and his son perfected the city by bringing in architects and Andalucian craftsmen from Córdoba to build palaces, baths, mosques and a subterranean water system. The city walls were raised from the red mud from the plains.

Horse drawn carriages: Known as calèches, are one of the best ways to view the city when you are not on foot exploring in the Medina.

Koutoubia Mosque: This is the city’s main landmark and the 69 metre high minaret towers over the labyrinth of streets and markets in the Medina. The red stone mosque was first built in 1147 but it was knocked down and rebuilt in 1199 because it was had not been built correctly aligned with Mecca. The mosque is large enough for thousands to pray in.

Dar Si Saïd Museum: The Museum is housed in a palace on the Riad Ezzitoun El Jadid and shows the arts, crafts and culture of the Berber people, including displays of some Moorish cedar wood furniture, elaborate door and window frames and artefacts from every day life in the Sahara desert. Open 8.30-11.45 and 2.30-5.45 except Tuesdays. Admission Dh20

Saadian Tombs: Built in the late 16th century, this beautiful necropolis has 66 lavishly decorated indoor tombs. The central mausoleum has a high vaulted roof which is exceptionally ornate, including carved cedar panels and Italian marble columns. Open 9.00-11.45 and 2.30-5.50 except Tuesdays. Admission Dh15

Around Marrakesh

Oukaimeden: A ski resort in the desert with camels instead of ski lifts! Yes, thick snow envelops the Jabal Oukaimeden mountain peak during the winter months (usually January and February) and it is just a 46-mile (74km) drive from Marrakech. The town can be reached by taxi or car and is well equipped for skiers seeking restaurants, ski equipment hire, and comfortable hotels within a stunning alpine setting.

Ouirgane: A village in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains about 1 ½ hour’s drive from Marrakesh. It is a popular place to visit, where summers are cooler and winters are less harsh. The Berber villages are enchanting whilst set in forests with wild flowers, including the famous rose gardens, fruit trees and streams cascading from the High Atlas.

Essaouira: This popular resort town dates from the 18th century, and is easily reached by bus from Marrakech. The town is surrounded by a fortified wall and faces the sea. The beach is a wide, stunning stretch with pretty whitewashed houses, boat-builders’ workshops and art galleries. Visitors come for the laid-back atmosphere and the high wind that makes it a very popular centre for wind- and kite-surfing.

Essaouira is also famous for its wood carving tradition, mainly using local, fragrant Thuya wood. The harbour is a hive of activity at all times, particularly during the daily fish auction, attracting as many onlookers as buyers and sellers.

Agadir: Is a major seaside resort south of Marrakech. It is new and modern with magnificent sandy beaches. Its “newness” is largely due to an uncharacteristic earthquake that shook the town in 1961, and it has now been re-modelled as a popular package holiday destination as well as a major fishing port. Agadir boasts 300 days of sunshine and a huge supply of hotel beds, reputedly a quarter of the total in Morocco. But be warned you may find the locals outnumbered by tourists.

Rabat

Morocco’s capital city is characteristically modern with wide, conservative boulevards, gardens and large blocks of flats. The king lives here in a beautiful palace surrounded by trees and flowers.

Despite having a rich history dating back to 7th century, Rabat is a far cry from the magical backstreets of Fez or the hubub of Marrakech. However the old part of the city has a Medina and a Kasbah.

Rabat is located on the Atlantic coastal plain, opposite its twin city of Sale, and it is near some beautiful sandy beaches.

For those who enjoy chasing around a little white ball, Rabat’s Dar Es Salaam Golf Course is world-renowned.

Kasbah des Oudaïas: A Kasbah is a “village within a city” and is a good place to take in the sights of the city. It is guarded by the impressive arched gate built in 1195. The Palace and Andalucian gardens and the terrace gives beautiful views from the Kasbah mosque, over the river and sea. The Palace Museum and gardens date back to the 17th century. The museum houses Moroccan art such as Berber jewellery, costumes and carpets.

Citadel of Chellah: Located in the new town of Rabat, the ruins of Chellah, once a Roman port, provide interesting sightseeing. Just inside the gate are Roman ruins dating from 200 BC, which includes a forum, a temple and a craftsmens’ quarter.

Hassan Mosque: You will see the towering 50 metre minaret of the Hassan Mosque from many parts of the city. Each façade of the minaret is intricately patterned with different motifs on each face.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V: The mausoleum was inaugurated in 1967. Located opposite the Hassan Mosque, it is one of the great monuments of modern Morocco. The deceased king lies in a white onyx tomb, surrounded by royal guards, while and hundreds of Moroccans pay homage each day.

The Medina: This medina was created by Muslim Andalucian refugees from Badajoz, Spain. It was essentially the first “seed” of the city until the arrival of the French in 1912 who began creating the new town. Not on the scale of Fez, but you certainly won't get lost!

Archeology Museum: Here you can find a collection of Roman bronze figures, dating from the first and second centuries and recovered from Volubilis. Also other artifacts from Phoenician, Carthagian and Roman settlements throughout Morocco are to be viewed here. Open 9.00-11.30 and 2.30-5.30, closed Tuesdays.

Casablanca: This is a huge, busy European style port city and has attracted much immigration from the Moroccan countryside. People are modern with little sign of traditional dress or modesty. The old town is small but similar to all the other bazaars found in Morocco.

Photo credit: Zany
The impressive Hassan ll Mosque is the 3rd largest religious monument in the World, with fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the few mosques that non-Moslems may enter - and it is worth it. One of the great buildings of the world.

Temara: Lies on the coast, some 13Km from Rabat. It is a favourite weekend spot for city dwellers. Temara has a sandy beach, along with many hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, a zoo and other leisure facilities to entertain visitors.

Tangier

Tangier was once a playground for the rich and famous seeking a fashionable café culture as well as a tax haven. When Spain relinquished Tangier back to Morocco in 1960, its duty-free status went with it, along with the fashionable crowd. The decayed grandeur of today still has much to offer and slowly Tangier is regaining its splendor as an attractive tourist destination.

Grand Socco: Socco means Souk in Spanish and it is named so due to its Spanish heritage. A Souk is a market to us and is an interesting place to watch passing Rif people in colourful costumes selling vegetables and fresh mint. It begins at a busting square and the medina is entered from the square, through a large arched entrance.

Kasbah: dates back to the 17th century and it is interesting to wonder through its little alleyways, patios and hidden terraces. The Kasbah Mosque boasts an unusual octagonal minaret.

Sultan’s Gardens, Rue Riad Sultan, just north of the Kasbah Mosque, are a pleasant place to visit and watch the local craftsmen at work while sipping mint tea and enjoying views across the Straits of Gibraltar to Tarifa on the Spanish coast, only 14.5 Km away.

Dar el Makhzen: This is a 17th century palace containing and impressive collection of art from all regions of Morocco.

Forbes Museum: This is located in the Marshan Villa district, about 20 minutes walk from the medina. The museum is the former palace of United States multi-millionaire and media magnate, Malcolm Forbes. The house is open to the public and houses Forbes’ collection of 8,000 miniature soldiers!

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen was first settled by Spanish Muslim refugees in the middle-ages and has retained its distinctive Spanish character. It is just an hour’s drive from Tangier in the Rif mountains.


The medina is beautiful and bustling with craftsmen working diligently and tradesmen selling the usual fare of carpets, leather goods, pottery and copper utensils. The Great Mosque, in the middle of the medina dates to the 17th century sits on a picturesque square with restaurants and cafes.

Asilah

Located south of Tangier, Asilah is a very poplular seaside resort, famous for its nearby Paradise Beach. Paradise Beach is a short taxi or a fun horse and cart ride from the village and is famous for its enormous expanse of unspoilt white, sandy beach.

Despite growing numbers of visitors, Asilah has retained its relaxing atmosphere. Asilah is known as the Artists’ Village and here you can find many locally painted canvases adorning the souks of its 15th century medina. The town is small enough to explore on foot or by donkey cart and is renowned for its great seafood restaurants.

In Conclusion - whatever you do on your trip make certain you get to meet the Moroccan people. They are warm, hospitable and will make you feel welcome.

Fez: City of Festivals

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music might only just have finished, but there are plenty of other cultural events to keep you busy for the rest of the year.

Fondation Esprit de Fès

The Spirit of Fez Foundation has three objectives:
- to boost the image of Fez by valuing its cultural life, events and artistic creativity
- to develop and make more accessible information on the city's culture
- to promote Fez internationally on a cultural and artistic level

To this end, events for the rest of 2009 are:

25-27 June
International Forum of Mediterranean Women (see our article here)

2-5 July
Amazigh Cultural Festival: features music, poetry and thought from the Amazigh Berber people.

23-27 September
Slam&Klam Festival: innovative artistic festival featuring artists in residence, poetry, videos, workshops and improvised music

October
Fez Culinary Art Festival: not only Moroccan cuisine, but input from Japan, Greece and Spain too.

13-15 November
Fez Jazz Festival. Yes, it's got a new name, we're pleased to note. And a more ambitious programme encompassing not only the medina but the whole city.

15-17 November
Forum of the Alliance of Civilisations & Cultural Diversity

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

5th Culinary Arts Festival of Fez

The 5th Culinary Arts Festival of Fez will take place from the 25th to 28th of October 2009. You can see events in Fez at www.visitfes.org, though the website is still only in French. And don't even bother looking at the Culinary Festival's website as they are still advertising the 3rd edition back in 2006!

"Festivals in Fez have a very bad reputation for letting the public know what's happening. And, unbelievable as it may seem, they are often only in French! Hopefully someone, somewhere in the tourist system will take it on themselves to teach the festival organisers a few lessons." - Festival Patron UK.

Prochaine édition : du 25 au 28 octobre 2007

Le Festival de Fès d’Art Culinaire s’inscrit dans un contexte où les pratiques alimentaires contemporaines ont subi ces cinq dernières années, en marge des tendances comme le ‘Fusion Food’ ou le ‘Fooding’, des mutations profondes qui se sont produites au gré des créations hybrides initiées tant par les chefs, que les cuisiniers, les vignerons, les agriculteurs, les artisans, les producteurs, les chercheurs, les designers, les architectes…dans une dynamique expérimentale.

Dans certaines grandes tables d’Europe, les chefs nous servent maintenant des cocktails à plumes ou des sandwichs de glaçons d’huîtres, accompagnés de vin glacé servi dans un verre comestible. En jouant sur la température, ils modifient les textures et les formes. Les saveurs et les sensations en bouche évoluent différemment avec le temps, le plaisir est progressif ou bien il émane d’une explosion de saveurs. Ces créations chamboulent ainsi nos habitudes tant dans les gestuelles que dans notre rapport aux goûts, faisant de l’acte culinaire une expérience intérieure nouvelle.

Qu’en est-il de la cuisine Marocaine ? Où se situe-t-elle dans ce contexte ? Sans attendre d’elle de suivre les chemins identiques d’évolution empruntés par la cuisine contemporaine, quels sont ses perspectives d’enrichissement et de rayonnement tant au plan national qu’international ?


Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

4th Culinary Arts Festival opens in Fez

On Friday, the 4th Culinary Arts Festival of Fez, kicked off under the theme "1200 years of culinary history in Fez".

Speaking during the opening ceremony of this event, which will run in the Batha Museum until October 26, the Tourism and craft industry minister, Mohamed Boussaid, underlined that the richness of the Moroccan cuisine enables it to play an important role in the tourism sector.

For his part, the Wali (super governor) of the Fez-Boulemane region, Mohamed Rherrabi, said Fez has a huge potential in the field of cuisine.

The foundation "Esprit de Fès", which organizes this festival, aims to further promote the Kingdom's spiritual capital and strengthen its standing as a place where the world cultures converge, he noted.

The president of the Municipal council of Fez, Hamid Chabbat, emphasized the close link between culinary arts and culture, noting that Fez has been and must continue to be a city of dialogue among cultures, civilizations and religions.

The festival’s program includes a conference on the Moroccan cuisine history, tasting ceremonies of dishes from France, Spain, India and Japan, presentations of local products, screening of the “Salé-Sucré” (Salty and Sweet) movie directed by Ang Lee, and music concerts.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

Showcase for Moroccan cuisine

Get out your diary! The Conseil Regionale de Tourisme (CRT) has announced dates for upcoming events in Fez.

Under the title 1200 years of gastronomic history, the 4th Fez Culinary Festival will be held from 24-26 October at the Batha Museum. Traditional cuisine will be celebrated in various venues across the medina, showcasing Berber and Arabo-andalous gastronomy.

'Cooking can build bridges not only with other Mediterranean countries, but further afield too', says Farid Lahlou of the CRT. Join chefs, cooks, wine producers, artisans, farmers, food researchers, designers, architects and even chemists at this exciting event. Once again directed by food writer Fatema Hal, the Festival's programme of events is under construction, but will appear on the CRT's website soon.


Next on the calendar is the Fez Jazz Festival on 14-16 November. Run by the Spirit of Fes Foundation, the Festival is ever popular. Programme to follow.

If you are interested in Fassi architecture and its preservation, then the Conference entitled The Fez Medina: Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development is for you. It takes place on 28 and 29 November, though further details are not yet available.

And lastly, dates for 2009:
The Fes Festival of Sufi Culture under the title Sufi Cultures, will take place from 18-25 April.
The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music will be held from 29 May to 6 June.

top photo: Suzanna Clarke


Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

Fabulous Food in Fez!

Last night a dinner was held with Mary Finnegan, the British Press guru. The venue was Ryad Mabrouka, just off the Talaa K'bira in Derb el Miter. Samir reports:

This was a first for me. I had heard good things about Ryad Mabrouka, and was not disappointed. Yes it was beautiful and the garden a delight, but nothing prepared me for the cuisine. Cooked by the owner Michel Trezzy, it was a gourmet delight.

Michel is a great host and very generous with his knowledge about everything to do with the Medina - but most of all he is a great chef.

We started with home-cured gravadlax with dill, then swordfish in a delicate batter with a puree of leeks. All of which went beautifully with a chilled Moroccan white. Then it was on to a bottle of red to accompany a rare saddle of lamb with courgettes and potatoes, then a tarte with nectarines and strawberries and hazelnut ice cream. oh yum!


Details:

Important! Please note that booking at least 24 hours ahead is essential.

Phone: 035636310
Website: http://www.ryadmabrouka.com/index.htm

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

Culinary Arts Festival in Fes!

The Spirit of Fes Foundation is busy putting everything in place for the upcoming Fes Sacred Music Festival. Just to get you in the mood, on the 28, 29 and 30 of April in the medina, the Foundation along with the ‘Conseil Regional du Tourisme de Fes’ have organised the 3rd Culinary Arts Festival. The theme is La Cuisine du lien (Cooking Connections) and will celebrate the gastronomic arts, savoir-faire and ritual and in particular, traditional Moroccan cuisine.

La Cuisine du lien is an invitation to trace the connections between the two sides of the Mediterranean that lead us back into history to explore Moroccan roots and traditions as well as looking at the latest discoveries and new culinary experiments.

These three days will be devoted to awakening the senses, to creativity, to thought and debate, and to the opportunity to meet top-name chefs from various cultural backgrounds during talks and workshops.

The event will be putting Moroccan cuisine under the spotlight, asking questions of the great masters of western, traditional or experimental cuisine, so that they can show you all that’s new in this field.

There will be lots of Festival activities taking place in various parts of the Fes medina. Local people, businesses and artisans will rub shoulders with authors, participants and the great stars of traditional Moroccan cuisine. Both Moroccan professionals and visitors will be able to discover the great Fassi art of living.

The Program.

Friday 28 April 2006

0900-1000 Festival Opening
Welcome speeches and Festival presentation

1000-1030 Talk on Traditional Moroccan Cuisines
by Saoud Tazi, historian

Question time

1030-1100 Fes Cuisine: Berber and Arab-Andalous Heritage by Abderrahim Bargach

Question time

1100-1145 Jewish Cuisine: Claudia Roden, historian and writer & Jewish Cuisine in Fes by Danielle Mamane

Question time

1145-1215 The Specifics of Fes Cuisine with Omar Lebbar

Question time

1215-1245 Cuisine and the Media in Morocco with Mme Choumicha

Question time

1245-1315 The History of a Unique Oil: Argane Oil by Zoubida Charrouf

Question time

1315-1430 Lunch: Tastings of the great specialities of Fes . Dishes from an ancestral cuisine

1430-1500 The History of Wine by Béatrice Cointreau

Question time

1500-1530 Training and Apprenticeship: Hotel School Programmes by Fatéma Hal

Question time

1545-1615 Talk: Art and Gastronomy by Bénédict Beauge

Question time

1615-1645 : The Art of Living in Fes by Abdelhai Ben Ghazi

1645-1715 : The History of Porcelain by Hélène Huret of the Fondation Bernardaud

17h15-17h45 : Kitchen Design and Innovation
by Sylvie Amar

Question time

1745-1945 : The Story of the Tea Ceremony - told by a comedienne - Text by Fatéma Hal

The Tea Ceremony in Russia by Christine Datner. Tasting: break for tea and Japanese patisserie
prepared by Keiko Nagae.

Tasting: break for tea and Moroccan patisserie

2100 Traditional Moroccan Dinner. Held in the riads and restaurants of the Fes Medina, with a gastronomic theme


Saturday 29 April 2006
Demonstrations by Great World Chefs and Moroccan Cooks

0900-0945 France: Demonstration of traditional French techniques
The famous cookery school LE CORDON BLEU

Question time

0945-1030 France: Presentation by Pascal Barbot and a Moroccan cook followed by a demonstration

1030-1115 Spain: Presentation by Christian Escriba. Screening of a phenomenal work

1115-1200 Mauritius: Presentation by Antoine Heerah and a Moroccan cook followed by a demonstration

1200-1245 Brazil: Presentation by Alex Atala and a Moroccan chef followed by a demonstration

1245-1500 Tasting of Moroccan Cuisine interpreted by the Great Chefs

1500-1545 Greece: Presentation by Dina Nikolaou and a Moroccan cook followed by a demonstration

1545-1645 France: Presentation by the 3 Scotto Sisters: Elisabeth Scotto, Michèle Carles and Marianne Comolli. Followed by a demonstration

1645-1730 France: Presentation by Jacques Pourcel and Meryem Cherkaoui. Followed by a demonstration

1745-1845 France: Demonstration by Hervé This
Molecular Cookery or Molecular Gastronomy: Is there a link with the emotions?

1845-1915 Japan: Kyoto Cuisine by two great Japanese chefs

1915-2000 United States of America: Presentation by Marcus Samuelson and a Moroccan cook

2000-2030 Question time with the Great Chefs

2130 Gala Dinner at the Merinides Hotel
Traditional Moroccan cuisine by five of the great restaurants of Fes.
Music and dance

Sunday 30 April 2006

0930-1030 Moroccan Cookery Course: The Challenge. Learn to make 'warka', also known as 'brik' pastry

1030-1100 Presentation by Jacques Chibois and a Moroccan cook. Followed by a demonstration

1100-1330 Visit to the Fes Medina

1330-1800 Nzaha Picnic Lunch under canvas on Mount Zalagh. The riches and diversity of Moroccan cuisine.

Doesn't that make your mouth water? As the Spirit of Fes Foundation Team say in their latest newsletter, "See you soon! … down some little street in the famous Rcif market … in a medina shop … or in one of those riads straight out of a thousand and one nights."

The Culinary Festival website
The Sacred Music Festival program.

Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news