Your table is set at Taste of Dubai

Dubai's ultimate fine food festival is back once again with all the usual ingredients.

A handful of celebrity chefs, a pinch of education, a dash of entertainment and a splash of socialising, stirred carefully into a premier Dubai outdoor venue make Taste of Dubai a culinary success year after year.

Taking place at Dubai Media City from today until Saturday, the festival will welcome celebrity chefs as well as local experts preparing a superb mix of mouthwatering cuisine.

The event is an unmatched opportunity to enjoy the best in gourmet ingredients, speciality foods, beverages and live entertainment.

This year, guests will 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.

Ahead of the event, UK chef James Martin gave tabloid! the lowdown on life as a famous face in the cooking world.

"I felt like everything changed overnight," he said. "I was living above a takeaway and trying to survive on 30 quid a week. I worked at a restaurant called The Winchester, which often had a six-month waiting list."

But that was 15 years ago and now Martin says his PA runs his schedule like clockwork.

"It's amazing," he said. "My life is still just as busy, but in a different way. Instead of working 19 hours in a kitchen, I am working constantly. I fly around the world and write all the time.

"It was the hardest decision I have ever made going celebrity but I am enjoying learning. I have learnt more in the past few years, picking up tips from around the world.

"But my mother keeps me grounded. She is still in Yorkshire where I grew up and she makes the best roast potatoes I have ever tasted. She makes proper gravy and she makes a better Sunday roast than I could ever hope to cook."

In two demonstrations today and tomorrow at 10.30pm and 9.30pm respectively, Martin will make deep-fried squid in Japanese breadcrumbs, Indian-inspired lamb roasted in pumpkin pickle and pan-fried chicken with spices.

Famous faces

The celebrities of the cooking world will be on hand to sign autographs, grab a snap or give their tips and expert advice when it comes to cooking. International celebrity chefs Gary Rhodes, James Martin and Vineet Bhatia will be mingling with the crowds and passing on their culinary secrets. Antony Worrall Thompson (right), one of the UK's best-loved chefs as well as Richard Sandoval, winner of the Mexican chef of the year award and chef patron at Maya, Le Royal Méridien Dubai, will also be available. UAE favourites Uwe Micheel, Yiannis Baxevanis and Suzanne Hussaini will also be taking part.

Learn

As well as sampling an array of mouth-watering food, visitors will have the opportunity to learn new recipes from Dubai's culinary talent as well as Michelin-starred masters.

The Philips Cookery School: A place for visitors to don aprons and learn new culinary techniques by creating dishes under the guidance of leading chefs.

The Marketplace: A place for visitors to buy a selection of gourmet food and beverages and see the latest must-have culinary equipment.

The MMI Beverage Theatre: Food and drink pairing sessions as well as the chance to expand your knowledge about beverages with a wide guided tasting programme from leading connoisseurs.

The restaurants

This year's fabulous restaurant line-up offers an extensive variety of cuisine and boasts some of the hottest new additions to the event. n Almaz by Momon Awtarn Certon Elian Indegon iZn Magnolian Mayan Minaton Momotaron Rhodes Mezzaninen Rivington Grilln Ruth's Chris Steakhousen Sezzamn Sumibiyan The China Clubn The Wharfn Zheng He's

The dishes

A constant flow of dishes will be cooked to suit every guest's palate. To give you a sneak preview (and get the taste buds going) just one of the menus on offer is below.Starters include Rhodes Mezzanine's famed white tomato soup to seared scallops from The Wharf, followed by entrees such as lamb tagine from Almaz by Momo and The China Club's Beijing duck. For dessert, visitors can indulge in sticky toffee pudding from Rivington Grill or if they're looking for something lighter — Zheng He's chilled lemongrass jelly.

Drink

Visitors can enjoy a selection of delightful mocktails created by expert mixologists in the Blu Water Lounge, using Blu's array of flavoured waters. Only soft beverages will be served at the Friday afternoon session of Taste of Dubai.

Tickets

The official currency of Taste of Dubai is Dellas, and are used to buy dishes from the restaurants and beverages at the festival. Tickets are priced Dh90 for standard entry (children under 12 are free), Dh150 for premium, which includes Dh100 worth of Dellas, and Dh225 for VIP, which includes Dh150 worth of Dellas, the chance to meet the chefs and fasttrack entry.Tickets are on sale at tasteofdubaifestival.com

Timings

Today: 7-11.30pm
Tomorrow: 7-11.30pm
Friday: Noon - 5pm and 7-11.30pmSaturday: Noon - 5pm and 7-11.30pm