New food truck festival in town

DUBAI Shawarmas, burgers, baguettes, ice-creams – every item Dubai loves, gets a brand new twist at the emirate’s first ever food truck carnival beginning November 6.

Running until April next year at Zabeel Park and Creek Park, the Roundup Market will see names like Desert Chill, El Greco, Pret to Go and Burger Fuel dishing out local favourites to the public, all out of big-sized trucks.

There will also be stalls selling everything from fresh flowers to accessories on the side and a flea market adding to the eclectic line-up.

The Roundup Market will be open to public at Zabeel Park on Fridays from 9am to 6pm and at Creek Park on Saturdays from 3pm to 11pm.

“The underlying story of the event remains the food trucks, a truly global concept that is slowly spawning a new generation of food lovers and entrepreneurs here in the UAE, if not a whole new street food culture,” said Kris Haggie, senior director of consultancy and director of Roundup Food Truck Division of 54° East.

He said the first-of-its-kind food truck market will be spread over 20,000 square feet and will feature at least seven food trucks.

Established concept

Inderjeet Bubber, general manager of Roundup, said he is expecting a footfall of over 40,000 during the five-month long event.

“This is an established concept around the world but now the time has come to introduce the truck market to the people of the UAE. With malls being an integral part of the UAE’s lifestyle, Roundup Market brings a new outdoor food experience, augmented with other fun activities for kids and adults alike,” said Bubber.

In August, XPRESS reported how Haggie’s parent company, 54° East announced the roll-out of 12 food trucks on UAE streets with plans to take the fleet size to 100 by the year end.

The Dubai-based food and beverages franchise company has already helped several independent owners operate food trucks across the different emirates.