The Dubai Food Festival will return in February with a packed programme that includes two completely new elements. The 17-day citywide festival will run from February 25 through March 12, celebrating the best of Dubai’s culinary offerings.
One of the festival's new elements is Dubai's first ever restaurant week. It will launch the first day of the festival and run for 10 days. Thirty of Dubai's best fine-dining restaurants are participating in restaurant week and will offer specially priced three-course set menus for just Dh189 a person. This gives people a unique opportunity to try a new high-end restaurant without breaking the bank. Some of the restaurants involved are Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen; Alta Badia; Social by Heinz Beck; Rang Mahal; Vivaldi by Alfredo Russo; and Qbara. Organisers predict this will be a popular offering during the festival so they advise guests to book early. You can make reservations now — and review the complete list of participating restaurants — on www.dubaifoodfestival.com.
Another new element for this year's festival focuses on Dubai's hidden gems. Festival organisers are inviting local residents and regular regional visitors to uncover the best, lesser known eateries in Dubai. Foodies are invited to submit their favourite hidden gems online at www.dubaihiddengems.com. People who participate will have a chance to win three nights in Dubai (with flights if needed) for two people. The winner will also win a bespoke dining experience at one of the restaurants taking part in Dubai Restaurant Week as well as a Hidden Gems tour experience with Gulf Photo Plus.
The popular Beach Canteen will be revamped and return as the festival’s central hub. The canteen will showcase 15 home-grown restaurant concepts, appearances from celebrity chefs; beach dining experiences; live entertainment; kids’ activities; beach sports and more. There will also be a festival information kiosk on site.
Additional highlights of the festival include Fatafeat Kitchen with demonstrations from celebrity chefs in Galleries Lafayette, The Dubai Mall; Street Nights; and Taste of Dubai. There will also be a range of special events and promotions at restaurants around the city.
The theme of this year's festival will be A Taste Celebration. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, says: "Dubai has established its position as the culinary capital of the Middle East and one of the world's leading gastronomy destinations. The Dubai Food Festival is the perfect opportunity to showcase and celebrate the city's offering within the UAE and beyond."
For more information and updates, visit dubaifoodfestival.com.
