Visitors sweet on Taste of Dubai
It's one of the best festivals, chef says
Dubai: Two nights down, two to go and Taste of Dubai has left nothing but a sweet flavour on the lips of most.
Residents and visitors have flocked to Dubai’s ultimate open-air fine food festival and the celebrity chefs say it has all the usual ingredients and more.
“It’s such a great line up of chefs this year – it gets bigger and better each year,” said UK chef James Martin escaping from the hoards of female fans at his cooking demonstration.
“It’s one of the best taste festivals around the world and it’s the only one I do so it’s already in the calendar for next year. Tick,” he joked.
“It’s a great atmosphere. These taste festivals are unique because they allow restaurants to serve food direct to the client without having to bring them into the restaurant.
“You’ve got the great setting here. The weather is wonderful, where as over in the UK it’s raining sideways at the moment and it’s minus 20. Not much to worry about here apart from the food. It’s fantastic.”
Taking place at Dubai Media City amphitheatre today (Fri) and tomorrow, the festival plays host to celebrity chefs as well as local experts preparing a superb mix of mouth-watering cuisine.
Gary Rhodes, James Martin and Vineet Bhatia mingle with the crowds, passing on culinary secrets while Antony Worrall Thompson, one of the UK’s best-loved chefs and Richard Sandoval, chef patron at Maya, cook up a storm in the Tefal Cookery tent.
UAE favourites Uwe Micheel, Yiannis Baxevanis and Suzan Hussenini are also taking part.
This year guests have the chance to customise their ideal menu from a selection of 50 sample-sized dishes created by some of Dubai’s most renowned and award-winning restaurants.
Rhodes, who has a restaurant in Dubai’s Grosvenor House, Mezzanine, told Gulf News of his plans for a second Rhodes restaurant for the city.
“More restaurants, more food, more flavours and of course more exciting people. It gets better every year,” he said.
“Rhodes Twenty10 opens late spring, early summer at The Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa.
“It's a bit more than a steakhouse but it’s that kind of food philosophy and concept. But it’s going to have a bit of an extra twist to it – I’m not giving too much away just yet. I’m holding on to my little secrets for the moment.”
Taste of Dubai is open from 12noon-5pm and from 7-11.30pm today (Fri) and tomorrow.
Dellas are the official currency of Taste of Dubai and are used to buy dishes from the restaurants and beverages at the festival.
Tickets are priced Dh 90 for standard entry (children under 12 are free), Dh 150 for premium which includes Dh 100 worth of Dellas and Dh 225 for VIP which includes Dh 150 worth of Dellas, the chance to meet the chefs and fast-track entry.
Tickets are on sale now via www.tasteofdubaifestival.com
