Taste of Abu Dhabi 2019 | Yas Island

“Taste of Abu Dhabi gets cooking next weekend.” Taste of Abu Dhabi

Taste of Abu Dhabi, the capital’s annual three-day outdoor food and drink festival returns to Du Arena, Yas Island from Thursday 7th until Saturday 9th November. This year, the festival in partnership with RAKBANK, will feature not only a line up of top international celebrity chefs but also performances from reggae band UB40 and Boyzlife duo Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.

Visitors will be spoilt for choice with some of the capital’s most popular eateries serving up a selection of their tasty signature dishes in bite size portions. Take a trip around the globe with a menu of international cuisine starting with some Mexican treats from Yas Island favourite Amerigos, steaks from the Four Seasons Chicago inspired steakhouse Butcher & Still and Thai treats from Desert Lotus. The Rosewood’s Dai Pai Dong will be serving classic Chinese dishes with a modern twist while Sambusek will offer Lebanese fare.

Tantalise your tastebuds with some exquisite Indian cuisine from Dusit Thani’s Namak restaurant by celebrity chef Kunal Kapur. Stop off in Europe with classic French dishes from La Brasserie, fresh and seasonal Mediterranean cuisine from Todd English’s Olives, authentic Italian dishes from the Rotana’s Dinos Italian Bistro and not forgetting some Spanish tapas from Yas Marina’s Diablito.

Over the course of the weekend, a line-up of stars from the culinary world will grace the Crate & Barrel Chefs Theatre stage with live interactive demonstrations. The programme will include Australian chef and MasterChef UK host John Torode; multi-Michelin star French chef Jean Christophe Novelli; author and founder of Assia Kitchen, Assia Othman; best-selling baby food and nutrition author Annabel Karmel and MasterChef India judge chef Kapur of Namak fame.

Emirati chefs will also be on stage creating a culinary show and offering practical cooking demonstrations of authentic and modern regional dishes. Consider yourself as a bit of a whizz in the kitchen? Here’s your chance to step into the culinary limelight with the celebrity chefs in the Al Ain Farms & Kibsons Cooking Challenge. Compete with fellow foodies alongside the festival’s celebrity chef line-up for a chance to win prizes – see the Chefs Theatre schedule HERE

Taste of Abu Dhabi favourite and Master Pâtissier Eric Lanlard aka ‘Cake Boy’ returns to the Big Baking Tent by ICCA. Lanlard will be delivering his baking masterclasses as well as judging the 3rd Edition of UAE’s Biggest Bake Off competition. If you are a fan of the TV series the Great British Bake Off pop down and learn some tips and tricks from the pastry experts. Get involved yourself by baking a ‘Bring Back the 80’s’ themed creation, competitors have the chance to win a Baking & Pâtisserie Course at Dubai’s International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) worth AED 25,000. Find out more details on how to enter HERE – The final will be held on Saturday 9th November in the Big Baking Tent where the winner will be crowned by Chef Lanlard and a panel of ICCA Patisserie & Sugarcraft Instructors.

Alongside all the feasting and non-stop entertainment visitors can enjoy a host of new experiences for 2019. The International Food Sampling Pavilion will offer complimentary Middle Eastern organic honey, dates, juices, arabic sweets, biscuits and coffee. Immerse yourself in flavours of the region and learn about local traditions at the Emirati Flavours Pavilion, browse the handmade crafts while sipping on Arabic coffee and dates. The Giffard Beverage Theatre will showcase mixology masterclasses, visitors will be invited to sample a range of hops, grapes and mocktails.

Enjoy live music all weekend long with a line-up of bands, musicians and DJs on the Cleveland Clinic Entertainment Stage. Thursday night will see UB40, the English reggae band featuring Ali Campbell and Astro entertaining the crowd, be prepared to singalong with popular hits like Red Red Wine and Kingston Town. Chart topping 90’s Irish pop royalty Duffy (Boyzone) and McFadden (Westlife) will take to the stage on Friday night to deliver a setlist of iconic boy bands hits. The popular pair, who have been performing as the Boyzlife duo since 2016, promise a sizzling performance not to be missed.

Relax in style near the mainstage with a VIP experience at the Visit Britain & Wego VIP lounge. VIP tickets offer fast-track festival entry and unlimited access to the lounge with its own private bar as well as three food and two drink vouchers (Thursday AED 250/Friday and Saturday AED 230 each). The Ultimate Taste Experience offers access to all festival features, VIP lounge access, headline concert as well as four food and six drink vouchers for AED 290 (valid for one day, available to purchase for all-three days). Click HERE for all ticket options.

This family-friendly event, where kids aged 12 and under go free, has plenty of activities to keep the children entertained. The dedicated OMO Kids’ Zone will offer activities such as arts and crafts, cupcake decorating, food-based games and competitions, inflatables, face painting and free trampolining sessions at BOUNCE Inc. Aspiring young chefs can get hands on with food related workshops. Karmel will be running kids cooking sessions on Friday and Saturday.

Experience the capital’s three-day alfresco extravaganza jammed packed with gourmet offerings, celebrity chefs and live entertainment. Book your tickets online to experience the capital’s tastiest weekend, grab your friends and family and don’t miss the highlight of the foodie calendar.

Taste of Abu Dhabi 2019

Location: Du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Timings: Thursday 7th November 4pm — 12 midnight, Friday 8th November 12pm — 12 midnight and Saturday 9th November 12pm — 10pm

Website: tasteabudhabi.com

Book tickets online at www.tasteabudhabi.com

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