Plates of Dubai

Foodies across the UAE are already salivating at the thought of next month’s Taste of Dubai, now in its sixth year. Rumour has it that British celebrity chef Atul Kochhar is to make an appearance; he will be joined by returnees Gary Rhodes and Vineet Bhatia.

Also on the menu at this annual event, which runs from March 14 to 16 at the amphitheatre in Dubai Media City, are a host of celebrity chefs, family fun, some of the region’s best live music and a delicious array of food served by 30 of the city’s best kitchens.

This year’s edition is expected to welcome more than 25,000 visitors. Tickets are on sale: standard entry costs Dh60 in advance and Dh80 at the door, while VIP tickets are Dh220 per person in advance and Dh240 at the door and offer a host of enticing freebies. Early bird standard tickets are currently available at Dh99 for two.

New restaurants, including Armani Ristorante, Armani Amal, Thiptara and Asado have signed up to tempt visitors with their delectable fare. Old favourites returning to flex their gastronomic muscle include Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Rivington Grill, Rhodes Mezzanine and Gaucho. Each will serve up a selection of items from its menu.

“Our visitors love to enjoy good food and they are always ready to try something new in a city like Dubai, which boasts one of the world’s best collections of restaurants,” says Chris Fountain, Managing Director of Turret Media, the organisers of Taste of Dubai.

Celebrity chefs, including Food Network’s Reza Mohammad and Jenny Morris, plus Richard Sandoval and Vineet Bhatia will all take part in displays of culinary prowess at the Philips Chefs’ Theatre.

Visitors can also shop from some of Dubai’s top retail outlets. French department store Galeries Lafayette, creative kitchenware joint Lakeland and food giant Nestlé will all have stalls at the event.

Among the most popular highlights of the three-day event is the cookery school. Its interactive area allows guests to prep, cook and sample recipes, while picking up tips from the experts. Get there early as the highly prized places are limited and get snapped up quickly.

The live music stage is always a hotspot at the event, as a line-up of world-class bands and DJs perform jazz-style tracks. Guests can carry on into the evening, enjoying their favourite foods and beverages to chilled-out music and truly soaking up that festival fever in Dubai.

For more information, visit www.tasteofdubaifestival.com