TASTE OF ABU DHABI
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KIBSONS

To participate in the free cooking sessions, please follow the below links to register.
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ONE HOUR BEFORE EACH DEMONSTRATION BEGINS.
Note that each slot is for 2 people.

Kibsons Cooking Challenge: Register here

BBQ School by DXBB: Register here

noon Food Cook School: Register here

Important information:

ONCE YOU HAVE SIGNED UP:

• PLEASE ARRIVE 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE SESSION STARTS
• PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING YOUR BOOKING CONFIRMATION
• UNFORTUNATELY, IF YOU ARE NOT AT THE STATION WHEN THE CHEF STARTS WE WILL NEED TO RELEASE YOUR PLACE
• CHILDREN UNDER 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

HEALTH AND SAFETY

By registering to this cooking session, you take full responsibility in case any accident might occur during your cooking experience.

• We kindly ask you to be very careful when using knives and electric hobs.
• Please avoid having kids running around as there will be hot boiling water on stations

Over 21+ and looking for the perfect grape to accompany your food or a refreshing hop to cool off after dancing? Step in to 1 of several licensed outlets where you can sit, back, relax, and enjoy your favourite sips.

Globally recognised brands will take over select bars and include music, giveaways, and more.

Your favourite dancing drinks and singing sips just got better! With drink deals all weekend, Taste of Abu Dhabi’s licensed lounges are sure to serve up a good time. Guests can expect the following deals:

Friday, 10th of November:

• Ladies’ Night: From 7pm–close, ladies receive 2 complimentary glasses of bubbles.

Sunday, 12th of November:

• Sunday Brunch: This all new ticket package includes 5 dish vouchers and 5 drink vouchers—the perfect recipe for the ultimate foodie’s party.
  Advance purchase price: AED 360. Limited tickets available.

Note that all guests will be age verified and given a 21+ wristband to wear at all times when purchasing and consuming alcohol. Failure to wear the wristband will result in denial of being served.

Apron Stories is a cooking hub for kids and adults that include fun, hands-on cooking sessions for the whole family, including integrated stories and activities.

So, let’s get ready, get messy, and make some fun, healthy snacks and meals!

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Catch them Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Central stage and Jack’s stage

Formed in England and having toured the Middle East region for the last 15 years, The International Playboys are 4-time winners of the Time Out Magazine Best Band Category and won Budweiser Battle of the Bands 2 years in a row in Bahrain.

Before the lockdown, they held the longest residency in the Middle East (12 years) at Heroes Downtown Abu Dhabi and have played all the top venues and events in the region, including Formula One and Rugby 7s.

They play Chart, Indie, Rock, and Classics with a cheeky attitude and unstoppable energy, adapting their repertoire according to each venue. They bring the fireworks to every show and The International Playboys makes them all special. Work hard, play harder.

Voted one of the Top 50 Things to Do in Abu Dhabi by Time Out Magazine.

Hugsy is widely regarded as the best Event Host and MC in the UAE, clocking up over 11,000 hours of live environment presenting experience built over a 20-year career. Hugsy has become the go-to presenter for global brands across the UK, Europe, USA, and the Middle East for their Corporate Events, Music & Consumer Festivals, Awards Ceremonies, and product launches.

Hugsy’s natural charm and warmth on stage have seen him win the lead host roles with the UAE’s biggest live events, including F1 Abu Dhabi, NBA in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Motor Show, Christmas Festivals, Dubai Fitness Challenge, Market OTB, Dubai Shopping Festival, and 10 years with the Taste Festivals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to name but a few.

Chef Instructor: Hot & Cold Kitchen  

Chef Toyo, a culinary expert with more than six years of experience as a Chef Instructor in the UAE, possesses extensive knowledge in cookery, pastry, and sugar craft.

Additionally, she boasts considerable expertise in menu development.

Driven by a passion for sharing her culinary experience, Chef Toyo has chosen the path of an instructor as her primary career, dedicated to imparting knowledge and skills to others.

Chef Instructor: Baking & Patisserie  

With over 13 years of experience in the gastronomic field, Chef Rene honed and perfected his pastry-making skills, working in different countries, including France.

Besides being an accomplished pâtissier, he has around seven years of experience teaching and mentoring young aspiring chefs while working as a consultant.

He keeps his finger on the pulse of the industry by actively participating in different international congresses of cake shops.

Chef Instructor: Baking & Patisserie

Chef Omkar Padwal is a highly skilled professional in the world of baking and patisserie. With a deep passion for cooking, he firmly believes in the transformative power of food, as it has the ability to bridge gaps and bring people together regardless of their backgrounds.

Having honed his craft for over ten years in five different countries, Chef Omkar brings a wealth of international experience to the table and holds a prestigious Diploma in Patisserie from Le Cordon Bleu. Through his role as a Chef Instructor, he aims to inspire and guide those who share his passion for culinary arts.

Chef Instructor: Baking & Patisserie

Chef Hartono is a highly skilled and dedicated professional in the world of baking and patisserie. He has honed his craft over the course of 16 years, constantly seeking opportunities to learn and grow.

Throughout his career, Chef Hartono has had the privilege of working alongside renowned figures such as Pierre Gagnaire, further enriching his expertise in the industry.

With a genuine passion for his art, he is committed to imparting his wealth of knowledge to aspiring individuals who are eager to pursue a career in this field.

Chef Instructor: Baking & Patisserie

Chef Sabeen Fareed, a highly skilled and innovative pâtissier with extensive training in various culinary disciplines including Cookery, Baking & Patisserie, Gelato, and Sugar Crafting.

With her expertise, she excels in creating extravagant buffets, crafting exotic high tea experiences, preparing exquisite pastries, and developing custom menus for a variety of events. Chef Sabeen Fareed possesses a unique flair and finesse in both Cookery and Patisserie, and she is adept at independently managing projects and events with utmost professionalism.

• No Outside Food or Drink
• No Pets, except Guide Dogs
• No Bikes, Boards or Chairs
• No Alcohol Served to those Under 21
• No Drones
• No Umbrellas
• No Littering

This event will be photographed.

By entering the venue you agree that you may appear in photos and / or videos used for marketing purposes, without compensation.

Andrew is a BBQ & Outdoor Cooking Expert, Live Events Host, Presenter, Demonstration Chef, Actor and Speaker. He also runs the Riverside BBQ School, which is one of the best and most successful BBQ Schools in the UK.

Andrew is delighted to be hosting the Waterfront Market BBQ School as he loves teaching people the techniques of Outdoor Cooking and BBQ. He has spent the last two decades hosting and cooking for some of the most prestigious Live Food Events and Festivals in the UK & Internationally including Taste of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London & Dublin, the Ideal Home Shows, the Christchurch and Malton Food Festivals, the Eat & Drink Festivals, Street Feast Abu Dhabi, Taste the World Dubai, the London & Southampton Boat Shows, Cake & Bake Shows, Great British Bake Off Live, ITV’s This Morning Live, The Times Destinations Shows, Jamie Oliver’s Big Feastival & Carfest for Children in Need.

Andrew has regularly hosted many other shows including the BBC’s Top Gear Live Arena Shows, the National Pet Shows, Dog-Fest, The Motorhome & Caravan Shows, and every year The City Dinner, for The Back Up Trust Spinal Injury Charity. You’ve probably also seen him at some point on many of the UK’s Soaps and TV Adverts, but it always comes back to the BBQ!

Zoe trained as an actress at Mountview Theatre School in London. She has appeared in various commercials, TV Soaps & Dramas where she has worked with actors such as Michael C Hall & Sylvester Stallone!

Zoe started presenting in 2014 when she joined Taste of London and the Motorhome & Caravan Show. Since then, she has regularly hosted many other shows such as DogFest, The National Pet Show, Jamie Oliver’s Big Feastival, Taste of Dubai, Taste of Abu Dhabi, Standfords Travel Writers Festival at The Times Destination Show and various shows for The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Zoe regularly works as a voice-over artist, she teaches singing and recently has re-trained as a Forest School Leader, where she hopes to inspire children to connect with nature and help them develop socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually.

Zoe is very excited to be back hosting at Taste of Dubai!

Rich is on the radio every afternoon as schools finish, the work day ends, and roads start to get busy across the UAE.

If you listen to Rich, you’ll get information on what’s happening in the World’s Best City, including traffic (when you need it most while collecting the kids at school!) and giveaways that appeal to anyone wanting to get the most out of their free time!

Priti Malik is proof that you can take the girl out of NYC, but you can’t take the NYC out of the girl! Since moving from Queens to Dubai, Priti has made a name for herself and is the “Queen of Gossip” on 104.4 Virgin Radio Dubai, the UAE’s #1 morning show, “The Kris Fade Show.”

Her popularity in the program led to her garnering more than 90,000 followers on her Instagram account and aside from hosting events she has become a very in-demand content creator on Instagram. Priti has confessed that if she wasn’t on the radio, she would have definitely pursued her passion as a Bollywood Star and she is well known for her dance videos on social media. Her love for culture, music and entertainment translates not only on radio but also in front of the camera where her bubbly personality shines through.

Ryan is a unique and vibrant musician with a real flair for entertaining. He never fails to keep a crowd captivated with his boundless repertoire spanning every genre.

Earlier in his career, he appeared in numerous West End Shows in London, gaining valuable experience. He has also starred in various commercials and voice over projects and went on to work with British TV channel—ITV. Ryan was the resident pianist/vocalist for The Voice UK’s piloted after show “The V Room” where he worked with Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson, will.i.am, etc.

Shortly after, he appeared as part of the House Band on the TV series, “Tonight at the London Palladium” hosted by Bradley Walsh on Prime Time TV.

Most recently, as a solo artist, he opened for the one and only Robbie Williams at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi to a packed arena performing his original songs as well as his versions of popular covers. He was also featured in an article in the Winter Escape Issue of Emirates Man, where conversations about his career and him being new to Dubai were covered.

Ryan is currently working on solo projects and performing for luxury private clients and events all over the world.

Ryan Gibb will be performing for VIP ticket holders at the VisitBritain & Wego VIP Lounge.

Rich is the host of Remix 92 (weekends from 7PM) plus afternoons in Dubai 92.

Rich has performed as the opening DJ for Backstreet Boys, Alicia Keys, Take That, Jamiroquai, Mel C, Steps, Boyzone, Toni Braxton, Westlife, Boyz 2 Men, plus a host of the ’90s acts at various festivals supported by Dubai 92, as well as the headline act for Rugby Rocks at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens and Remix 92 live concerts series.

Alexander Vechkanov’s prowess in playing the violin has led to him performing for large-scale festivals, shows, and concert programmes with an audience of more than 100,000 guests around the world.

Vechkanov has also participated in various global television series and game shows, including “The Voice of Ukraine”, “Ukraine’s Got Talent”, and “Win the Crowd”. He has also performed at Formula 1 and Expo 2020 in Dubai, UAE.

4TheMusic is an award-winning Dubai-based band consisting of 3 members, namely Peter-John Frans, Jabu Magagula, and Elton Frans. Having been in Dubai for 14 years, the band has appeared on MBC1 and had multiple radio interviews on ARN’s Dubai Eye with Mark Lloyd as well as appearing on South African TV (SABC). They were featured in Khaleej Times, as well as in a magazine in Bahrain.

With talents honed from South Africa, 4TheMusic has livened up otherwise dull weeknights and really spiced up weekends at Madinat Jumeirah (JamBase, Bar Zar and Bahri Bar) for 8 years in Dubai since 2006. 4TheMusic has undoubted earned a decent fan base in Dubai and the Middle East with their innate musical versatility and remarkable stage presence.

They have performed at Taste of Dubai and Taste of Abu Dhabi respectively for the past 10 years consecutively, where they opened for Boney M., The Wailers, Björn Again, Billy Ocean, Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Sister Sledge, BoyzLife, and UB40 to mention a few. Most recently, they performed at Dubai Jazz Festival in 2020 where they opened for Lionel Richie.

They have also been part of big sporting events such as the 2007 Russian Golf Open Tournament in Moscow, the prestigious Dubai World Cup Horse Racing in 2008, as well as the HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi in 2019. They also performed in Qatar, Bahrain, Hong Kong, China, and Germany.

In 2017, they ventured into composing their own music with the release of their debut single, a powerful song that addresses issues in South Africa. The song was so well received in the US that it won an Akademia Award for “BEST SONG” in the “World” category in Los Angeles—a South African, Dubai-based band winning an award internationally!

In 2020, during a period of lockdown and social distancing, 4TheMusic released their much anticipated debut album titled, “Level One” available worldwide on all major streaming and digital platforms.

Currently, 4TheMusic can be found weekly at the prestigious Arts Club Dubai in DIFC, 4 nights a week as well as hosting one of the most popular “Jam Nights” at Pizza Express JLT on Sunday evenings.

Variety is what makes 4TheMusic a hit among their fans and new ones that learn about them. 4TheMusic has been nurturing a repertoire consisting of 8 languages, including English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Arabic, Hindi, Russian, Portuguese, and Spanish songs.

Salha and her Million Dollar Band have been a powerhouse staple on Dubai’s music scene for over 20 years. Soulful, energetic, entertaining, and fun, Salha has performed locally, from the 7s to small jazz bars; and internationally, from London to Langkawi, Mumbai, to the Maldives.

She is excited to be joined at Taste of Dubai by stellar South American talents, Carlos and Ariel.

Truly Medley Deeply was set up in 2010 by three students at Cambridge University. Since the beginning, the band has been a unique hybrid of live act, DJ, and jukebox, taking the best parts of songs and condensing them into beautifully-flowing medleys. TMD’s ingenious medleys effortlessly mix between songs in seamless arrangements that bring joy, energy, and laughter to every dancefloor. From Disco and Soul classics to ’90s Boybands/Girlbands via Epic Stadium Rock, R&B, ’80s Synthpop, EDM, TikTok tracks, and many more, the best party music from every era is grouped, refined, and medleyed.

Enjoy Taste of Dubai in style at the VisitBritain & Wego VIP Lounge. Exclusive to VIP ticket holders, the lounge features lush seating and sofas, dedicated bars, and its own pockets of entertainment.

VIP Packages include:

• 1-day event entry;
• 3 food vouchers;
• 3 drink vouchers;
• Access to the VisitBritain & Wego VIP Lounge; and
• Access to the Philips Cook School, Kibsons Mystery Box Challenge, and Waterfront Market Barbecue School.

VIP tickets are limited to ensure a comfortable experience at all times in the VisitBritain & Wego VIP Lounge.

*All vouchers will be distributed at the time of entry to the event. Vouchers cannot be refunded or transferred to another person, day, or location.
**Food vouchers may be redeemed for any dish at any restaurant pop-up.
***Food vouchers cannot be used at exhibitors’ stands.
****Drink vouchers may be used for house beverages, soft drinks, or water. 1 drink beverage per person may be redeemed for any specialty item from RAW Coffee at Taste of Dubai.

Join us for an opportunity to taste exquisite coffees with an elevated experience at RAW Coffee Company’s exclusive barista workshops at Taste of Dubai. Sip expertly crafted drinks alongside other culinary and mixology enthusiasts.

Don’t miss out on this unique and energising opportunity!

The flame-fuelled hotspot of Taste of Dubai, Waterfront Market Barbecue School will be a roaring riot of theatrics and feasting. Learn from the best pitmasters around about how to fire up the grill like a pro, and learn how to make a crowd-pleasing recipe that you can take home.

To make your dishes even more delicious, all demonstrations will be using premium Weber grills.

BBQ School sessions will run throughout the weekend, where you can learn how to perfect a pro-guided recipe, and best of all, savour your masterpiece at the end.

Access to the Waterfront Market BBQ School is included with all Taste tickets. Spots for each session are limited, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration opens 1 hour before each session.

Chef Leonardo Luza Lillo is an accomplished Chef Instructor specialising in Baking & Patisserie. With a deep-rooted passion for teaching and a strong desire to contribute to the study of Chile’s gastronomic heritage, Chef Leonardo has dedicated himself to mastering his craft.

He holds an Associated Degree in Gastronomy from INACAP, a Food Innovation Diploma from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and has honed his skills at the prestigious Lenôtre Pastry School in Paris.

With over a decade of experience training aspiring Pastry Chefs, Chef Leonardo is eager to share his extensive knowledge with those who are passionate about pursuing a career in the culinary industry.

Chef Instructor: Hot & Cold Kitchen

Chef Geraldo Thomazini is a culinary wizard with decades of culinary expertise, who weaves magic with flavours and ignites taste buds with every dish.

From the bustling food trucks to the acclaimed kitchens of Novotel São Paulo and Alameda Beijing, Chef Thomazini’s journey has been a thrilling adventure. With an infectious passion for gastronomy, he has mastered the art of blending South American zest with an Asian twist, creating culinary wonders that leave diners in awe.

Chef Geraldo continues to inspire and tantalise palates at ICCA’s prestigious culinary school as a mentor and innovator.

Chef Instructor: Hot & Cold Kitchen

Chef Sergio Freitas is a renowned culinary expert who specialises in the art of fusion cuisine.

With a passion for creating unique flavours, textures, and tastes, Chef Freitas is known for his ability to blend unexpected ingredients in a harmonious and delightful manner.

With over 18 years of experience in the culinary industry, he has not only established himself as an exceptional chef but has also emerged as a successful culinary entrepreneur and esteemed Chef Instructor.

Chef Vanessa Bayma inherited her passion for cooking from her Sicilian and Brazilian grandmothers, drawing inspiration from their innate culinary prowess when she began her professional cooking career at just 13 years of age.

Since then, her ambition, curiosity and love of food has taken her on a journey across all facets of the culinary industry, working as Executive Chef, Catering Chef, and Consultant for renowned hotels, resorts, private yachts, and residences. Backed by more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Chef Bayma decided to establish her consulting and events firm—CBC Consultancy and Events, in collaboration with TPHQ Events Management, based in the UAE and KSA. Chef Bayma currently serves as the F&B Director of CBC Consultancy and Events, overseeing the firm’s culinary endeavors and events.

Always on the lookout for new things and never one to shy away from a culinary challenge, Chef Bayma provides everything from concept, menu, and recipe development to large-scale event management, private chef catering, product development, training, and evaluations.

Endlessly fascinated by unique flavour combinations and experimental cooking, Chef Bayma effortlessly balances her clients’ culinary desires with their specific dietary needs. With a flair for showmanship and a sharp business acumen, she has developed her talents and passions to deliver the best to her clients and their guests.

One of the most sought-after private chefs in the region, Chef Bayma has worked with multiple HNWIs, including members of royal families in both KSA and UAE, football and reality TV stars, and major corporations such as MasterCard and General Mills. Her projects know no borders as she has assisted clients in Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, South Africa, United States, and Europe including Spain and Italy.

In recognition of her culinary innovation and commitment to using the finest quality ingredients, Chef Bayma has been selected as a global ambassador for Aussie Beef Mates, helping to grow the international profile of Australian Beef in the region.

Throughout her successful career, Chef Bayma has gained numerous outstanding achievements including the Caterer Middle East PowerList 2022 and two medals for the Golden Torque Middle East. She was recently nominated for the Top Private Chef Supplier in the MENA region and is a regular speaker at renowned events including Gulfood, the Hotel Show, Taste of Dubai, and the International Yacht Boating Conference.

Chef Bayma is board-certified with the London City and Guilds, a member of the Emirates Culinary Guild, a Female Fusion inner-circle member, and an active member of The Dubai Chef Collective. An enthusiastic and insightful media professional, Chef Bayma’s interviews, articles, and recipes have appeared in the region’s leading publications and platforms, including Caterer Middle East Magazine, Hotel & Catering News Middle East, The National, L’Officiel, and Dubai Eye, amongst others.

Hattem Mattar has called the UAE home since 1998 and has been grilling for the UAE masses almost as soon as he landed. He is now the world’s first Arab pitmaster, the first Dubai taste maker, the first culinary ambassador to the UAE Embassy in Washington DC, and the founder of The Mattar Farm Smokehouse, Dubai’s first and only artisan smokehouse.

Hattem and his live fire menus have been featured all over the world and the country. He represented the UAE as far away as The Smithsonian in the USA and has represented the UAE and the Arab world at large at the BBQ festivals in Brazil, Australia, and the US. In the UAE, Hattem has opened a live fire kitchen with the luxurious and renowned Jumeirah group. With an eclectic music and food offering, it has quickly become one of Dubai’s most popular hangouts. From fine dining at Emirates Palace to sold out popups across the city, Hattem has made it his mission to make BBQ culture a part of the fabric of the country’s food scene.

With a strong belief in local produce and livestock and a strong emphasis on live fire and third culture cuisine, Hattem believes these unite the world at a common table around a common fire. Hattem aims to make the grill an essential and delicious part of daily cuisine and storytelling for everyone to get know this part of the world better just as the UAE has done for over 190 nationalities and made it a place to call home.

Raised between Lebanon and the UK, Lama has been passionate about cooking since the age of 4. By shadowing her mother from a young age, she acquired knowledge of all of the classic Arabic dishes. Her speciality is family food—large, beautiful, mouthwatering dishes with a strong Mediterranean influence to be shared amongst friends and family.

Her love of cooking led her to study at Glion Hotel School, Switzerland, and earn a Hospitality & Tourism degree as well as gain experience with some of the top 5-star luxury hotel groups such as Four Seasons, Rocco Forte, and Hyatt hotels in London, Paris, and Rome.

Mamalu Kitchen is not Lama’s first entrepreneurial venture: she has had over a decade of experience in the fashion industry under her independent private label. She has opened two concept stores in Beirut, Lebanon (Ribbon & Lace and Birdcage). She has also been a part of the prestigious London & Paris Fashion weeks for seven consecutive years and has extensive experience as a designer for high-end clothing brand Mojo World.

She is also a proud mother of three boys (at one time, all three of them were under 2 years old), and they inspired her to launch Mamalu Kitchen less than four months after her twins were born.
The first concept launched under the Mamalu Kitchen brand in 2016 was all cooking classes for nannies and housekeepers with recipes in their native language from traditional Arabic cuisine to how to cook for the ultimate dinner party!

That was shortly followed by cooking classes for mums and children, schools, couples, corporations, and even husbands who also wanted to learn how to create delicious, all-natural food for their families.

Mamalu Kitchen is creating a cooking movement under the slogan #feedingfamilies.

In line with her cooking movement, in 2020, she started Eazy Freezy; it is a natural, easy-to-cook frozen food product for families on the go. Hassle-free yumminess without the bad stuff. The products are available online and across Spinneys & Waitrose outlets all over the UAE.

By engaging every single member of the household/family and various members of the community to be involved and empowered by cooking, Mamalu Kitchen is enabling a lifestyle change in the region. This ‘cooking movement’ is leading families to live a healthier and happier life.

With over twenty-five years of culinary experience, Russell Impiazzi joined Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk as the Executive Chef since December 2020, with the mission to establish a new hub of restaurant and bars in the city through genuine, seasonal, and sustainable food, beverage, and service experiences.

As Executive Chef at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, he is in charge of all culinary operations across five distinctive dining outlets: Brasserie Boulud, Taiko Dubai, The Nine Gastropub, Bijou Patisserie, and Soleil Pool & Lounge, as well as ten banqueting facilities. He leads a team of 80 chefs to translate the Sofitel culture of French gastronomy through delicious creations by demonstrating his core values of authenticity, quality, creativity, and sustainability.

Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Russell started his culinary journey working in a hotel kitchen at the age of fourteen through a work experience program and went on to work alongside some of the UK’s most renowned Michelin trained chefs. He was a part of the pre-opening team for WAFI Pyramids. He launched various popular dining venues, including Medzo, Vintage, Carters, Asha’s and Seville’s, which won several Dining Awards. Having established himself as one of the youngest Executive Chefs in Dubai at 28 years old, he was part of the pre-opening team of Atlantis Bahamas resort; was responsible for menu-reconstruction and concept development of a set of restaurants and bars in London, Manchester, and Leeds; and helped establish the famous Parisian brand Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet. After more than 20 years at the heart of Dubai’s food scene, Russell returned to London once more to become Executive Chef in Hilton London Metropole, the largest Hilton outside the United States. In his role, Russell was tasked with the F&B repositioning for the hotel developing new restaurants and bars as well as upgrading the vast conference and events business.

While cooking up a storm in some of the best kitchens both in the UAE and around the world, Russell also spent time taking on passion projects close to his heart that allowed him to serve the community through cuisine. In 2014, Russell partnered with Chef and friend Robbie Stokes to successfully launch The Pink Brigade to raise awareness and support those affected by breast cancer by donating 100% of the proceeds to the UAE-based Pink Caravan.

In 2012, globetrotting chef Christos Lymperis landed on the UAE’s fair shores and has called the progressive culinary emirate of Dubai ‘home’ ever since. From humble beginnings in his native Greece, “Chef Chris” as he’s affectionately known, was raised in his family’s Greek restaurants. Originally learning traditional recipes and flavours from his family, Chris’ passion for cooking grew, resulting in a Chef’s Diploma and culinary certification at age 23. A hunger for new flavours and recipes would take Chris all around Greece, Europe, and eventually the Middle East where in the UAE, he has become known for his trademark Mediterranean cooking style.

With a number of accolades to his name, including Dubai Food Festival’s “Dubai’s Hidden Gems 2018” award for Best Mediterranean Restaurant and the appointment as a Senior Member of the Emirates Culinary Guild in 2020, Chef Chris is now proudly Executive Resident Chef at the Waterfront Market. In a first-of-its-kind offering in the UAE, Chef Chris is based at the market and makes daily visits to the traders and fish mongers to ensure produce is being displayed and
prepared to chefs’ standards. He also undertakes regular live cooking displays, sharing new recipes and helpful hints and tips to market visitors. Working together with the Waterfront Market, Chef Chris aims to share his passion for food, guide customers in improving their culinary skills, and to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Born in Canada, raised in Chicago, and now based in Dubai, the multi-award-winning Chef Kelvin Cheung is a Chinese-Canadian who grew up in the kitchen, spending the better part of his childhood training for his life of travelling the world and cooking in kitchens in unfamiliar places. Having worked his way up through the ranks within various restaurants in the US, Canada, and Belgium, Chef Kelvin began his public chef life in India in 2012 as Executive Chef at Ellipsis Mumbai.

Kelvin Cheung is the Chef and Partner at both Jun’s Restaurant and Little Jun’s, both in conjunction with Three Layer Hospitality. At Jun’s, he leads the conceptualisation and day-to-day operations, creating new menu items, recipes, and developing dishes ensuring variety and quality. Rooted in Cheung’s Chinese heritage, North American upbringing, and French training paired with the freshest ingredients from local farms, Kelvin takes his diners on an immersive culinary journey through his Chinese upbringing and life across the world from North America to India. Chef Kelvin is the region’s pioneer and proponent of Third-Culture Food, spearheading Jun’s, one of the most unique concepts in the Middle East.

Cheung’s culinary abilities are limitless as he bases his menu on his own personal adventures, which always results in unique and captivating dishes. His larger-than-life personality shines brightly across the industry, as does his down-to-earth approach and exceptional interpersonal skills. Within its first year, Jun’s firmly made its mark on the region’s culinary scene with its inventive third-culture cooking concepts, securing an array of awards and accolades, such as inclusions in Dubai’s Michelin Guide 2023, MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, and Gault&Millau UAE’s Best Restaurants. Fast forward to October 2023, Kelvin has just successfully opened Little Jun’s in the Time Out Market, located in Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai.

Kelvin is best known for melding techniques and traditions to create a diverse yet distinct cuisine, as well as for his advocacy for wellness—for his employees, diners, and the planet. Kelvin is a strong advocate for promoting diversity and empowering women in the culinary industry where he actively mentors aspiring chefs, particularly women, providing them with guidance, support, and opportunities to excel in their careers. Kelvin also focuses largely on sustainability at Jun’s, with all animal parts and vegetable scraps being fully included in a variety of main dishes and sauces. Every menu at Jun’s offers over 50% vegetarian options while being sensitive and adaptable to allergens, offering gluten-free and dairy-free options.

Kelvin has taken part in several initiatives and partnerships over the past year, actively branching out of his role as Chef in the Jun’s kitchen. Due to the high demand for his gourmet food paired with his appealing personality, Kelvin has had the opportunity to cook for all-star NBA players at the Make-A-Wish Foundation charity gala during Abu Dhabi NBA week in Q3 2023, alongside cooking for Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Kelvin has just returned from his stint as a Soneva Star where he was honoured to cook for the number one beach resort in the world in the Maldives as part of an initiative at Soneva Maldives Resort to raise awareness of regenerative efforts within the industry, aligning with his personal views on sustainability. These charitable and positive initiatives impact both Kelvin’s and Jun’s already-credible reputations within the industry.

An iron pillar toughened through her fair share of struggles and experiences.”

There’s nothing in her lineage to explain why Ritu Dalmia is the brilliant chef and restaurateur that she is. And yet, there she stands, in her 40s, as one of India’s most celebrated chefs, co-owner of six restaurants in India; three in Milan, Italy; one in Dubai, UAE; and a catering vertical that serves worldwide destinations. The story might well have gone some other way. Born in then-Calcutta to a business family, Ritu joined the family stone business when she was just 16. Her work kept taking her to Italy, where she developed a liking for the local cuisine and learnt how to cook it proficiently.

Vineet Bhatia arrived in London way back in 1993 with little more than a suitcase full of books, a lofty ambition, his love of Indian cuisine, and a passion for cooking. Fast-forward a few years and Vineet is now a globally renowned chef and seen as the face of progressive modern Indian cuisine, having published successful cookery books, recorded multiple TV series, opened several restaurants across the globe, and is the first Indian chef-patron to be have been awarded a Michelin star.

When he is not cooking at one of his many restaurants or shooting for TV, he is setting records and creating experiences of a culinary kind. Most memorable was the trek up to the Everest Base Camp in June 2018 to set up a ‘pop-up restaurant’ for ten lucky diners that flew in via helicopter. In December 2019, he prepared a gourmet Indian meal each day on board the French cruise liner Ponant along with Chef Alain Ducasse’s team, for the ten-day sail to Antarctica.

Jenny Morris®, also known as The Giggling Gourmet, is a celebrity chef and radio personality from South Africa. Jenny has starred in four series on Food Network and has become a household name among audiences in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She also broadcasts a weekly show on Smile Radio, one of the largest radio stations in South Africa.

She has cooked for many presidents and royals. She hosts her own shows on Food Network, and is the creator of a number of restaurants including Yumcious™ and Tummiluv, fine casual dining restaurants based in Cape Town. An author of 6 books, and a contributor to Next 48 Hours, she was voted on the 2012 Oprah Winfrey Power List alongside Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Hilary Clinton. She is also an accredited international judge and examiner, teacher, culinary tour guide, Events MC, and voiceover artist.

Jenny has had an ongoing love affair with food since she was a child. It’s a love affair in the true sense of the word—one that employs all the senses. Jenny is the founder and creator of the Giggling Gourmet® CooksPlayground™, now known as South Africa’s biggest and leading recreational and corporate TeamCooking™ (Team Building) cooking school.

Centre Director of ICCA Abu Dhabi 

Francisco Araya’s long and eventful career showcases his international hospitality expertise and vocational education, including a period spent as Director of the Culinary Arts program at IP Duoc UC Valparaiso and a Leadership Diploma from Universidad Adolfo Ibanez.

Passionate about crafting gourmet culinary delights and training the next generation of Chefs, this Honduras-born award-winning Chef is currently serving as the Centre Director of ICCA Abu Dhabi.

Originally from a beautiful, rural village near Cáceres, Extremadura, José has lived in London for almost 25 years, and is often described as The Godfather of Spanish cuisine in the UK.

In his early career, he trained in the top restaurants in Spain, before becoming head chef at a Michelin star restaurant.

José Pizarro began his career at Gaudi, moving to Eyre Brothers in Shoreditch before becoming the Executive Chef at Brindisa. In 2011, he opened his first restaurant José on Bermondsey Street, offering simple and traditional tapas. His restaurants now include José Pizarro at the Royal Academy, José Pizarro Broadgate, Pizarro, and José Pizarro The Swan Inn, while he has also published a line of regional Spanish cookbooks and is a regular face on our TV screens. Earlier this year, José opened his first restaurant outside the UK: José by Pizarro, at the Conrad Hilton in Abu Dhabi.

José believes in fresh, seasonal, quality ingredients and keeping dishes simple. He promotes the idea that great tapas is for all, and that home cooks shouldn’t be afraid of cooking several smaller dishes—it’s all in the prep & keeping it simple. The mantra of quality and simplicity along with José’s charm, enthusiasm, and passion for Spanish food has led to José appearing on many of our favourite foodie TV programmes. A regular guest chef on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen, ITVs This Morning, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Weekend Kitchen with Waitrose, Rick Stein’s Christmas, Food Network’s The Big Eat, and the popular ITV show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning.

José’s talents don’t end there—his five books launched to great critical acclaim: Seasonal Spanish Food (Kyle Books, 2009), Spanish Flavours (Kyle Books, 2012), Basque (Hardie Grant, 2016), Catalonia (Hardie Grant, 2017) and Andalusia (Hardie Grant, 2019 – reprint 2023).

His sixth and latest cookbook—”The Spanish Home Kitchen”—launched in 2022. It is a collection of over 80 best-loved recipes from the heart of chef José Pizarro’s Spanish family home.

George Calombaris is one of the world’s most decorated chefs, recognised and respected around the world by his peers and the general public for his culinary genius and his absolute passion for food.

In Australia, George has built a massive following as a result of his successful and hugely popular restaurants, as well as headlining MasterChef Australia for 12 years, helping take it from a domestic success story to a global blockbuster.

George is Co-Founder of Culinary Wonderland, a digital platform dedicated to chefs, cooks, sommeliers, mixologists, baristas, and culinary curators from all over the globe to deliver a fully immersive user experience for food enthusiasts. Culinary Wonderland will be released in late 2023.

In April 2023, George opened his latest restaurant, Hellenic House Project, a local eatery in Melbourne’s suburb of Highett, focused on street food downstairs and traditional home-style cooking upstairs.

George is also the Culinary Director at Hotel Sorrento, one of Melbourne’s oldest and cherished establishments, located on the Mornington Peninsula. He was also co-host of ‘Hungry’ on Network Ten, a candid exploration of George’s earliest culinary influences.

Gary has been part of our television viewing since he first started as a co-host on Good Chef Bad Chef on Channel Seven in 2007. Since then, he has been an integral part of shows like Boys Weekend, and of course, 12 years and more in 16 series of MasterChef Australia, Junior MasterChef, MasterChef All-Stars and Celebrity MasterChef, helping to make it a global super franchise. Gary’s TV audience stretches around the globe, and his series Mega Festivals, Far Flung with Gary Mehigan, and Masters of Taste, have well and truly cemented him as one of the most loved and watched TV Presenters in Australia and beyond.

But there is more to Gary than television and food—several years ago, he started his own Podcast series, “The Gary Mehigan Show”. He is an author, a prolific traveller always in search of beautiful food and artisan producers, and is working on several new projects in Australia and India.

What do vouchers get me?
Taster and VIP packages include food and drink vouchers. These can be redeemed as follows:

• 1 food voucher = 1 dish at any restaurant
• 1 drink voucher = 1 house beverage, soft drink or water. Valid at event bars only (not redeemable at restaurants)
• 2 drink vouchers = double house beverage

Where do I collect my vouchers?
At the time of scanning your ticket into the event, you will be given an RFID wristband with your allocated vouchers stored on it.

Once this wristband is issued to you, it is your responsibility to keep track of your allocated vouchers. Wristbands will not be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged.

How can vouchers be redeemed?
Simply tap your wristband against the payment terminal at the bar or restaurant, and your voucher will be deducted from your wristband. That’s it!

Ran out of vouchers? All food and drink can be purchased at the event by way of Credit card, Debit card, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay.

Friendly reminder, we are a cashless event.

Event timings are as follows:

Friday, 23 February from 3pm–12am

Saturday, 24 February from 12pm–12am

Sunday, 25 February from 12pm–11pm

Ticket categories and Box Office prices are as follows:

• Standard ticket: Single day entry – AED 85
• Taster ticket: Single day entry and 2 food & 2 drinks vouchers – AED 195
• VIP ticket: Single day entry, 3 food & 3 drinks vouchers, VisitBritain & Wego VIP Lounge access – AED 295
  

CHILDREN UNDER 12 GO FREE

Throughout the venue, you can pay for food and drinks via the following methods:

• Credit card
• Debit card
• Apple Pay
• Samsung Pay
• Vouchers included in select ticket packages via RFID Wristbands

Friendly reminder, all restaurants and bars are cashless.

Get personal cooking advice and feedback directly from the pros at the Philips Cook School, where you can ask your culinary hero exactly how much salt they include in a pinch, how to properly quenelle a mousse, coddle an egg, and so much more!

Philips Cook School sessions will run throughout the weekend, where you can learn how to perfect a fun and flavourful chef-guided recipe, with fresh ingredients provided by Kibsons. Best of all—you get to savour your masterpiece at the end!

Access to the Philips Cook School is included with all Taste tickets. Spots for each session are limited, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration opens 1 hour before each session.

Channel your inner creative chef as you partake in the Kibsons Mystery Box Challenge.

Participants will be guided through a fun and flavourful recipe led by a pro chef, with fresh ingredients provided by Kibsons.

Once the dishes are ready for tasting, the Chef will judge and pick a winner to receive an exciting prize from Kibsons.

Access to the Kibsons Mystery Box Challenge is included with all Taste tickets. Spots for each session are limited, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration opens 1 hour before each session.

The festival will take place at Skydive Dubai, entrance is by Zero Gravity Dubai

When inputting to your GPS app, use Zero Gravity as your destination.

Parking is limited and we recommend taking pubic transportation / taxi to get to and from the event.

We hope you are excited as we are for Taste of Dubai in Partnership with Philips

How To Use This Guide

Before your arrival and during the festival, you can reference this guide to find answers to the most common questions.

Here you’ll find:
– Restaurant lineup
– Workshop schedules
– Entertainment schedule
– Info on chefs, tickets, and food & beverage vouchers
– How to get to Taste of Dubai
– and lots more!

In the end, we hope this guide will help you feel prepared, and allow you to spend more time enjoying the festivities and less time planning.