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One of the most popular stalls at the Global Village, especially with Arab visitors, is the Ghada stall in the Bahrain pavilion. The company specialises in home-made pickles and spices that are commonly used in Arabic cuisine.
A regular
Saleh Najjar, owner of Ghada Pickles and Spices, has been coming to the Global Village for the last seven years and knows that his products are appreciated by people here. "I do not sell my products through supermarkets, but my loyal customers always come to the Global Village to stock up for the year," he says.
Special
And indeed, many of the customers had come specially looking for his stall. "Ghada spices and pickles have a very special taste. My mother uses the spice mixes daily in her cooking and my whole family enjoys the cheese dips for breakfast and the pickles with rice. We have come from Abu Dhabi especially to buy our supply of pickles and spices for the year," said Shaikha Al Suwaidi.
Shaikha was among the many women crowding around the stall eager to taste the different varieties on offer.
Najjar makes it a point to be present personally to greet his regulars and encourages all customers to try as many of his products as possible, offering them spoons or pieces of bread to dip into the array of flavours laid out on the counter.
Free to taste
"I open Dh1,000 worth of bottles everyday for tasting because I want my customers to be fully satisfied with their purchases and to truly enjoy what they have bought," said Najjar.
The Bahraini businessman launched the company, which is named after his daughter, 15 years ago. The products, priced at Dh25 to Dh50 per bottle, are now well-known around the Gulf.
"I love the festive atmosphere at the Global Village and the organisers always take very good care of us. I will definitely be back next year," said
Najjar.
Try these
Ghada's delicious fare includes a variety of cheese dips garnished with zatar, carrots, chillies or olives and a wide range of "achars" such as mango, lemon, mixed vegetable, green and red chilli, egg plant, tomato, gherkin, carrot, onion and garlic.
Some of the exotic recipes include pickled potatoes, mushrooms, okra, chickpeas and even a lentil achar.
Ghada also has the popular Makdoos, fish Meyhawa, prawn pickle and tring, a sweet marmalade made from lemon zest.
They also manufacture a range of spice blends and cooking powders including fish, prawn, garlic and chilli powders.
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