The Dubai Food Festival and Abu Dhabi Food Festival are in full swing. If you haven’t had a taste of the festivals yet, there are still many more bites to come.
Next up for the Abu Dhabi Food Festival:
Tonight is the start of the seventh edition of Gourmet Abu Dhabi. There is no officially opening gala, but there is an unofficial opening party to start the festivities at the Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi. The restaurant 18° will host a culinary tour through the Eastern Mediterranean region tonight where executive sous chef Michelle Mueller will prepare Levantine dishes for guests. From 7pm to 10pm, February 11. Dh250, inclusive of select beverages. For reservations, call 02 596 1440.
From tonight through February 14, visiting Swedish Chefs Niclas Yngvesson and Gustav Knutsson (owners of the Michelin-starred restaurant Bhoga) will serve up their signature Scandinavian fare at Finz in the Beach Rotana. To book a table, call 02 697 9000.
On February 12 and 13, book a table for dinner with Michelin-starred chef Wilco Berends at Jazz Bar in the Hilton Abu Dhabi on the Corniche. The à la carte meal will be served from 7pm to midnight. For reservations, call 02 681 1900.
And don’t miss Street Feast in Al Ain this weekend. The caravan of food trucks – 10 of which have sailed in from the UK – will be at Al Jahili Park in Al Ain from Thursday to Saturday. Local and international food trucks will be on site slinging street food to the masses in a party atmosphere. There will be chef demonstrations, musicians, falconry demonstrations and more. From 6pm to midnight on Thursday; From 2pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
For more information, visit abudhabifoodfest.ae.
Next up for the Dubai Food Festival:
At the Beach Canteen along Kite Beach, the healthy snack delivery service Munchbox will host a pop-up cafe today and tomorrow (February 11 and 12). On Friday and Saturday (February 13 and 14), The Inventing Room – an innovative restaurant visiting from the United States – will host a pop up to show off its creative culinary style with liquid nitrogen apple pie Kool-Aid and exploding whipped cream.
The Dubai Food Carnival – a three-day festival within a festival – kicks off tomorrow at Dubai International Marine Club. There will be a range of celebrity chefs, cookery demonstrations, food competitions, kids' activities and much more on offer. For tickets and a schedule, visit www.dubaifoodcarnvial.com.
And don’t miss the Food & Film Festival nights. Food-inspired films are being shown free of charge at outdoor venues around the city. Tonight (February 11), you can catch The Hundred-Foot Journey at 7pm at the Beach Canteen (Indian and French street food will be served). Or catch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on February 13 at 6pm, also at the Beach Canteen. The Inventing Room will be serving Willy Wonka-inspired bites during the movie.
The Dubai Food Festival has nearly 20 different events happening throughout the Emirate through February 28. For a schedule of events, visit www.dubaifoodfestival.com.