Are you ready for Taste of Abu Dhabi? This event is such a great way to try the best food from a variety of restaurants in Abu Dhabi without the risk of shelling out a whole meal. And sure, there’s a wellness tent and Nolu’s will be there, so if you want, you can make this a healthy outing too. But, think tiny pancakes (the highlight of many a food festival). Anyway, before you head out to Yas Island’s Du Arena in your stretchy pants, a few words.
Make a plan of attack
For goodness sake, don’t make a rookie mistake like filling up on an arancini ball fresh out of the gate. For maximum Taste of Abu Dhabi value, go for protein – particularly steak and seafood. Plot out which restaurants you would like to try – Sushina, Matsu or Abu Jad, anyone? – and make sure to hit them before you’re full. Also, you can always get more tickets, so don’t go crazy right off the bat. And if you want to avoid crazy crowds, steer clear of Thursday and Friday night.
Get involved
There are some top chefs on site this year, like the Cake Boy owner and Channel 4 star Master Pâtissier Eric Lanlard and the warm and giggly South African chef and Food Network star Jenny Morris. They will be leading cook-a-longs throughout the fest. Or just pop by some entertainment.
Meet a farmer
This is the first year that farmers are involved in Taste of Abu Dhabi, courtesy of Local Harvest, the retail brand of the Abu Dhabi Farmer’s Service Center. Not only will vegetables, fruit, meat and eggs be on hand for sale, but so will be local farmers to talk about their food producing operations. Ask what kinds of fertilizer they use, or what they feed their chickens.
Get a checkup
The dedicated Wellness Pavilion will offer free CPR training, courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Emergency Department staff, as well as health checkups, free treatments and lots of new products to try. Organic & Real, a cool new food and product delivery out of Dubai, will be there.
And don’t forget to treat yourself…
…because what’s a Taste of Abu Dhabi without a plate of tiny pancakes? You can share.
- Taste of Abu Dhabi is on Thursday through Saturday (November 8-10) at Du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Hours: Thursday 4pm-11.30pm; Friday 12pm-11pm and Saturday 12pm-10pm. Tickets from Dh135; free to children under 12. www.tasteabudhabi.com
Feature photo: Taste of Abu Dhabi
