Restaurants
As many as 23 restaurants representing diverse cuisines of the world will be showcasing their signature dishes which you can sample at a fraction of their regular prices. Each dish costs between Dh15 and Dh30. The line-up of participating restaurants include: Soul Restaurant and Bar (American), Shanghai Chic (Asian), The Eloquent Elephant (British), Ronda Locatelli, BiCE Ristorante (Italian), Nobu (Japanese), Waka (Latin). Kiza (Pan African) and Jodhpur (Indian). Go to tasteofdubaifestival.com for the full list.
Italian pavilion
A key highlight of the year, the Italian Pavilion brings you a little slice of Italy.
The 700 square metre pavilion features a cooking theatre where Michelin-starred chefs, food artisans and ingredients producers will hold master classes and demonstrations; a pop-up restaurant involving Dubai’s best Italian restaurants; a pop-up pizzeria involving Dubai’s best Italian pizzerias; Italian products and services, including a pop-up Italian gelateria serving the best Italian gelato and a Italian espresso bar for tasting the real Italian espresso.
Visitors will also be treated to the fascinating show of Italian food artisans: acrobatic pizza chefs, mozzarella making, gelato making, espresso and more.
The pavilion will also host ‘The Best Italian Pizza in the UAE’ competition where 10 Italian pizzerias of Dubai will compete on March 10. A jury of experts will evaluate the pizzas and select the best one in town.
Chefs’ Theatre
The Crate and Barrel Chefs’ Theatre 2018 will host live demonstrations from a selection of the world’s best chefs. Watch as they prepare tantalising dishes right in front of you and be inspired as they transform simple ingredients into world-class dishes. The chef line-up includes: Vrushali Jadav, Eric Lanlard, Sanjeev Kapoor, Jenny Morris & Reza Mahammad, Jun Tanaka, Victoria Andrade, Valentine Warner, Giorgio Locatelli, Vinu Raveendran and Maia Tsakanova.
Butter kitchen
Being held for the first, Butter Kitchen is a pop up restaurant-like corner that will host gastronomic workshops.
Two professionals (French Chef Charles Soussin and dairy specialist Francois Robin) will explain how and why butter is essential to enhance flavours from starters to desserts. You will also learn about the butter-making process and experience cooking with butter gastronomic tips, and get hands-on lesson on how to prepare flavoured butter and how to gastronomise a dish with butter.
Win a trip to Rome
Describe your previous Taste of Dubai experience and stand a chance to win flights and accommodation to Rome for two people. All you have to do is:
Register your details
Scroll through your social media pictures
Share your #TasteofDubai memory on Instagram
Say three words to describe your experience
Tag #tasteofdubai #tastyfandxb, #AirMilesME
Never been to Taste before?
Don’t worry, you can get involved by attending this year and taking a selfie of your ‘perfect moment’. The more likes and posts your images get, the better chance of winning!
The competition will close on March 10.
Live entertainment
Taste of Dubai is known for bringing top music acts such as Billy Ocean and Boney M. This year, eighties legends Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge will be performing on March 8, singing some of their greatest hits, including We Are Family, He’s the Greatest Dancer and My Guy (see also Around Town). Other acts include UAE’s top DJ Darryl Rees, Salha - one of the most sought after female vocalists in the Middle East, Italian Swing band Mark Zitti ei Fratelli Coltelli, Dubai-based 4TheMusic and Flamenco artists from Spain.
VIP Lounge
The VIP Lounge is situated in prime position near the stage, within easy reach of all major features. The lounge has its own private bar and lounge seating to make your day much more comfortable and enjoyable. The VIP ticket includes: unlimited access to the VIP Lounge; two complimentary drinks; three food vouchers from any of the participating restaurants.
Kids’ Zone
From bouncy castles, inflatable darts, bungee jumping, zipline to arts and crafts, pizza making and face painting there will be plenty of activities to keep your children entertained.
Cooking Challenge
Have you got what it takes to impress the chefs? Throughout the three days, a cooking challenge will take place whereby you will be able to cook along with one of the celebrity chefs on site. You will need to sign up on site 30 minutes before the challenge begins. At the end of each session, the chef will judge each dish and choose a winner.
Movie Screenings
This year Reel Cinemas will be screening family movies, so check out the schedule and make sure you don’t miss them! You will also have the chance to find out about their new dine-in cinema experience.
March 8: Fantastic Beasts and where to find them (8pm)
March 9: Guardians of the Galaxy (3pm); Spiderman Homecoming (8pm)
March 10: Kung Fu Panda 3 (2pm); Captain America 3 (7pm)
Event details
When: March 8-10
Where: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
Tickets: Dh80-Dh285
Call: 04-234 8481
More info: tasteofdubaifestival.com
