Abu Dhabi: One of the Middle East’s biggest food festivals is bringing celebrities, world famous chefs and trendy street food to residents and visitors across the emirate of Abu Dhabi from Monday.
The Abu Dhabi Food Festival (ADFF), organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism And Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), will run until December 23 in what is set to be its biggest programme of events, the organising committee announced at a launch event in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night.
MasterChef Australia star Matt Preston, Michelin Star chef, restaurateur and global TV personality, Graham Elliot and Adriano Zumbo, star of Zumbo’s Just Desserts, will be taking part in pop-up restaurant appearances, ‘Meet and Greets’ and cookbook signings during the festival.
Hollywood celebrities John Cusack and Jesse Metcalfe will also be participating in the festival by joining guests for dining experiences in the Gourmet Abu Dhabi strand of the ADFF.
Other activities include a golf-themed event, with the return of Gourmet Golf, a barbecue event, featuring a collection of supercars, ‘sea’ and ‘sky’-themed dining experiences, ‘High Tea’ events, which will combine cutting edge fashion and delicious desserts as well as programmes in Marina Mall and Bawadi Mall.
The event will also mark the biggest food truck festival in the UAE, with over 60 food trucks across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain offering more than 150 different food options.
SIAL Middle East trade fair, an exhibition for food, beverage and hospitality products, in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), will be held from Monday as part of the festival till Wednesday (December 7) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Mubarak Al Shamisi, director of Abu Dhabi convention bureau at TCA Abu Dhabi told Gulf News that this year’s festival is by far bigger than last year with the aim of making the programme accessible to more people.
“Every year we try to add new elements to the festival so the at we can offer new experiences to visitors. This year we have included SIAL as part of the festival ... we have also brought international chefs as part of the Gourmet Abu Dhabi,” said Al Shamisi.
Al Shamisi added that the festival has also been extended to Al Ain and the Western Region as well as events in malls to provide a complete food experience for Abu Dhabi’s visitors and residents.
For more information visit www.abudhabifoodfest.ae
Box — Abu Dhabi Food Festival highlights
Date: December 5 to December 23, across Abu Dhabi
Gourmet Golf, December 15, Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa.
John Cusack celebrity dining experience, December 16 at Emirates Palace and December 17 at the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi.
Jess Metcalfe celebrity dining experience, December 9 at Catch Restaurant, Nation Riviera Beach Club.
SIAL Middle East trade fair, December 5 to 7, at ADNEC.
Street Feast in Al Ain, December 8 to 10, at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Cost: Adults Dh30, children Dh15.
Street Feast Abu Dhabi, December 15 to 15, on the Corniche, Cost: Adults Dh30, children Dh15.
