DAMMAM — Cooking is a dominant activity in the holy month of Ramadan and book shops are doing brisk business by selling cooking and recipe books in their thousands. Many women are buying books to try new dishes and tasty meals for their family members and guests. A salesman in one of the leading book shops in Al-Khobar said: “During Ramadan, the major demand is for recipe and cookery books and we have stocked several books penned by famous international chefs. The books are either written by famous Arab chefs or are adapted versions of cookery shows aired on Arabic TV channels.” Sales outlets are doing a brisk business in the Eastern Province as an increasing number of women are asking for cookery books. “Most of the buyers this Ramadan are women,” another shopkeeper said. “I hardly venture into the kitchen unless I want to explain to the maid what is to be cooked and how,” Reem, a housewife, told Saudi Gazette. “Cookery books are very helpful in making food very easily and the main thing is that all the necessary ingredients and utensils are mentioned in details with texts and photos and recipes are presented using an illustrated step-by-step approach,” she added. As part of Ramadan sales, most of the book stores have designated special areas for cookery and recipe books to display and attract female customers.
