It's back to tantalise your taste buds
There's plenty of culinary fun in store for foodies this week, as the popular Taste of Dubai festival makes its return.
Taste of Dubai 2010, which opens tomorrow at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre and runs until March 20, promises to build on its success of the past two years, offering a superb variety of world-class cuisine prepared by various chefs from all corners of the globe.
Additionally, visitors will have the chance to customise their ideal menu from a selection of 50 sample-sized dishes thanks to the participation of some of the emirate's most renowned and award-winning restaurants.
"Taste of Dubai is truly a food lover's paradise, where visitors can literally eat their way around Dubai's best restaurants in less than a day," said Paul Croft, Taste of Dubai Event Director. "The event is firmly on Dubai's social calendar [because it is] simply a fantastic day out.
"Nowhere else will foodies and restaurant goers be able to savour such an extensive array of cuisine, pick up gourmet ingredients and enjoy a wide range of beverages in this upmarket festival setting."
As with every year, several celebrity chefs will be making an appearance, including Gary Rhodes, James Martin and Vineet Bhatia.
Expect plenty of mingling with the crowd, as well as passing on some of their culinary secrets.
At last year's event, Rhodes commented: "It's a fantastic occasion where everyone who loves food can get together and celebrate."
With a fabulous chef and restaurant line-up, exciting menu and plenty of workshops, classes and events to attend, Emirates Business brings you its picks of what to look out for.
- Taste of Dubai 2010 tickets are still available, and start from Dh139 for two standard entry tickets. Call: 04 210 8567 for more info
THE MAIN EVENTS
The Philips Cookery School
This is the place for visitors to don their aprons and learn new culinary techniques by creating dishes under the guidance of leading chefs. Each participant is given a cooking station, utensils and ingredients to try their hand at some amazing recipes. Why not head there and try something new?
The Marketplace
This popular Taste of Dubai attraction has expanded this year, with visitors having the opportunity to buy from an expansive selection of gourmet food and beverages, as well as check out the latest must-have culinary equipment and technology designed to make cooking a pleasure. Don't forget your wallet!
MMI Beverage Theatre
This section will offers visitors food and drink pairing sessions, as well as the chance to enhance their knowledge of beverages with a wide programme of guided tastings from leading connoisseurs.
Blu Water Lounge
Visitors can enjoy a selection of mocktails created by expert mixologists, Blu's special selection of flavoured waters.
The Momotaro Sake and Sashimi Lounge
Great for Japanese cuisine lovers, Momotaro will provide visitors with a culinary journey through Japan in a relaxing lounge atmosphere.
Taste Chill Out Lounge
Courtesy of Almaz by Momo, this traditional lounge offers the ultimate area to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy tea and shisha, and relax until taking on your next course.
THE RESTAURANTS
Almaz by Momo
The Moroccan restaurant will be offering almonds briouat; lamb tagine with pears and prunes; and pigeon pastilla.
Minato
The Japanese eatery returns to Taste of Dubai with sushi rolls; beef and vegetable teppaniyaki; and shrimp tempura.
Rivington Grill
The Souk Al Bahar restaurant will be cooking up hearty fish and chips with mushy green peas and thick chips; prawn cocktail; and sticky toffee pudding.
Elia
Tasty Greek treats will include aromatic carob pie grilled à la minute, and stuffed with fresh greens from the Greek mountains; beef gyros with fresh tomato, onions and tzatiki wrapped in traditional pita bread; plus galaktoboureko.
Rhodes Mezzanine
British chef Gary Rhodes' famed restaurant will be providing white tomato soup; slowly braised lamb with buttered potato and apple mint jelly; and iced strawberries and clotted cream.
Sezzam
The Kempinski, Mall of the Emirates hangout will offer seafood laksa; pepes ikan; and sate campure.
Verre by Gordon Ramsay
New head chef Scott Price will debut three of his favourite dishes from the restaurant's brand new menu. These are gravadlax marinated salmon, dill crème fraîche and caviar and baby fennel vinaigrette; blanquette of veal cheek, pomme purée and shallot cream sauce; and toasted fennel seeds crème brûlée.
Magnolia
Al Qasr's vegetarian restaurant will supply an array of healthy treats, including green pea, apple, and mint gazpacho manuka hone caramelised carrots on crispy wonton sheets; miso glaced white radish, sesame seed, aloe vera and roasted peanut avocado ceviche; and quinoa-stuffed mediterranean vegetables with red pepper emulsion.
China Club
Plenty on offer for Chinese food lovers, including a selection of dim sum; traditional beijing duck with pancake rolls; and deep-fried chicken balls in sweet and sour sauce.