Tables of Cairo: Feasts of Faith
TABLES OF CAIRO: FEASTS OF FAITH
Written by Menna Elbadry
'Tables of Cairo' Debuts ‘Feasts of Faith', An Immersive Exhibition Exploring Islamic Culinary Heritage at the Islamic Ceramics Museum
On September 27th, 2025, ‘Tables of Cairo: Feasts of Faith’ transformed the historic Islamic Ceramics Museum into a living tableau of culinary history, as a signature event of Cairo Food Week’s third edition.
As a signature event of the third annual Cairo Food Week, "Tables of Cairo" unveiled its landmark exhibition, "Feasts of Faith," at the historic Islamic Ceramics Museum in Zamalek. The immersive experience, a WHEN WE EAT concept developed by Hana Shash, creatively directed & curated by Rana Abouzeid with Sara Kassem of Staged producing the experience, invited guests to explore the profound connection between faith, culture, and craftsmanship in Islamic Cairo.
Powered by Marakez, the experience unfolded as a five-act theatrical narrative, guiding guests through a progression of faith and flavor. The journey began with the Umayyad-era’s humility of sharing grains and lentils on the floor under descending woven canopies. It then progressed to a spiritual Sufi meditation, where a whirling dervish presented symbolic offerings of bread and olives. The evening reached a crescendo with the imperial splendor of a Mamluk feast—featuring aromatic spiced meats and delicacies served on monumental brass trays. This sensory climax gave way to a spiritual interlude: an Ottoman ritual where the sacred smoke from a brass mabkhara (incense burner) anointed the air with frankincense and sandalwood, before concluding with the shared, festive joy of traditional Eid kahk dusted with powdered sugar.
With 'Feasts of Faith,' the museum transformed into a living landscape where guests tasted, saw, and felt the spirit of Islamic Cairo's history, celebrating the artisans whose hands have shaped our culture for centuries through modern interpretations of these storied traditions by Cairo’s contemporary artisans; from outfits designed by Mix & Match and Kojak Studio, to food art by The Cookery Co., botanical installations by Flowerbar and choreography set to the melodies of celebrated Egyptian musician and producer Hisham Kharma to name a few.
About 'Tables of Cairo': "Tables of Cairo" is the inaugural edition of the "Tables Of" series, a global travelling concept by WHEN WE EAT that explores a nation's history through the art of the table. The series transforms historical narratives into immersive experiences to celebrate and preserve cultural heritage.
The exhibition was hosted under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of Egypt.
Bringing this intricate concept to life was a curated selection of Cairo's top creative partners:
Exhibition Coordination by Suehaila El Sawy
Food Art by The Cookery Co.
Botanical Installations by Flowerbar
Outfits designed by Mix and Match
Footwear by Ramla & House Babylon
Costume Styling by Howaida Wagdy
Choreography by Shaymaa Shoukry Dayer
Music & Sound by Musiq
Visuals by Hannah Patten
Lighting and Projections by Provision
Tableware by AbraCadabra
Visual Accents by Mosha Rentals
Production by GT Events
Marble by Zeitoun
Music Partner Hisham Kharma
Featuring
Costume Design by Kojak Studio
Art by Mariem Abutaleb
Fabrics by Tanis
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