Dubai: Call it a gourmet treat or a gastronomical feast, it doesn’t get bigger than this. As the second annual Dubai Food Festival (DFF) 2015 opens on February 6, the citywide culinary celebration promises to be an irresistible spread, offering not just offbeat attractions like the Middle East’s first fatafeat kitchen, beach canteen and food truck convoy but also insightful interfaces with celebrity chefs and other foodie who’s who.
The 23-day gala will revolve round four main themes - Emirati cuisine; homegrown concepts; multicultural dining and street fare; and international chefs and restaurants. XPRESS samples the unmissable events:
Beach Canteen – Kite Beach, Jumeirah, February 6 to 28: Will featuring nine delicious home-grown restaurant concepts and celebrity chef pop-ups with local bands, DJs, children’s activities and beach sports. Highlights include activities with celeb chefs Yousef Khamayes, Sanjeev Kapoor and Manal Manal Al Alem, besides an Inventing Room pop-up, a photo talk with Penny De La Santos and a food and film session. Entry free.
The Urban Farm – The Archive, Safa Park (February 7) and Creekside, Bur Dubai Creek (Feb 28): A mobile celebration of Middle Eastern culinary experiences, this entails an urban street food market that will showcase homegrown concepts in 10-12 stalls. Entry free.
Food Truck Convoy – Emaar Boulevard (Sundays), Academic City (Mondays), JLT Park (Tuesdays), Knowledge Village (Wednesday) and Studio City (Thursday): February 8-12, 15-19, 22-26. A Food Truck Lunchtime Pop-Up Market will move through the business areas. Confirmed food trucks include Burger Fuel, Desert Chill, Panifico, Raw Coffee and Jakes. Entry free.
Mystery Dining Tours – various locations, February 9-23: Entails five mystery food tours curated by Lime & Tonic. They include Old to New Dubai Food Tour, High Flying Dinner Tour, From One Chef to Another Tour, Celebrity Hot Spots Tour and Dubai Skyline Tour. Entry charges on www.limeandtonic.ae
Dubai Food Carnival - Dubai International Marine Club, February 12-14: A family-friendly weekend where 80 exhibitors will offer cuisines from over 20 countries. Key attractions include a chef dome hosting celebrity chefs, cooking competitions, DFF Food Academy, live music and entertainment. Entry fee: Dh30 (Adults).
Taste of Peru – Madinat Jumeirah Amphitheatre, February 12-14: A Peruvian cuisine treat offering dishes such as ceviche and tiradito, causa, quinotto, beef anticucho and empanadas, along with Peruvian juices. Free entry.
Street Food Photography Exhibition – Dubai International Airport, February 6-23: A solo exhibition by New York-based photographer Penny De Los Santos will feature 30 images that showcase the vibrant and varied street food culture that caters to the 200 nationalities that call Dubai home. Entry free.
Fatafeat Kitchen – Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall, February 20-21: Home-grown foodie channel Fatafeat will bring together nine celebrity chefs for interactive stage shows between 12.30pm-9.30pm for the benefit of mall goers and foodie fans. Entry free.
Street Nights – Street 4B, Al Quoz, February 20-21: Hundreds of local and international artists will be performing live on the street even as 20 food outlets offer ‘street’ versions of their menus. Over 20 art galleries will also host activities. Entry free.
Masala! Food Fair – Zabeel Park, February 20-21: An Indian street food festival with celeb chefs, live competitions and Bollywood foodies. Entry free (Dh5 charge applies for park entry).
Made In Dubai – Zabeel Park, Feb 27-28: Emirati and non-Emirati chefs will innovate new dishes using traditional ingredients. Entry free (Dh5 charge applies for park entry).
Dine On The Creek – Dubai Creek, Dates to be announced soon: Four culinary boats will feature menus crafted by internationally celebrated chefs. Celebrated chefs Yousef Khumayes, Sanjeev Kapoor and Manal will provide foodies with a once-in-a-lifetime experience inside the kitchens.
Foodies can find more info at: http://dubaifoodfestival.com
