More than 50,000 people visited the inaugural Abu Dhabi Food Festival, comprising Emirati Kitchen, Gourmet Abu Dhabi and Street Feast which came to a close recently following a 17-day culinary extravaganza that spread across the entire emirate.
The numbers of visitors to the three events that were held in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Madinat Zayed in the Western Region widely exceeded the expectations of the organisers of the festival, which was presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi.
Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director, Tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi, said, "The festival has highlighted the diversity of the emirate's culinary scene which appeals to a growing local, regional and international audience. This year we aimed to build on the success of Gourmet Abu Dhabi, which has been held since 2009, and expand and improve our annual food festival to take in a wider audience." In total, 14,300 visitors attended Emirati Kitchen, a new event added to this year's festival and held over three days on Abu Dhabi Corniche. The celebration of Emirati cuisine and culture saw a range of Emirati chefs, including TCA Cuisine Consultant, Khulood Atiq, demonstrate the preparation and cooking of the country's favourite dishes, while offering an insight into Emirati customs and hospitality.
More than 38,000 people visited the three-day Street Feast event which was held over three successive weekends in Madinat Zayed in the Western Region, Al Jahili Park in Al Ain and on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi city.
Visitors enjoyed a selection of food from 22 international and local food trucks, many shipped in from the UK especially for the event, while enjoying free master classes, chef demonstrations and a variety of live music displays.
"We were overwhelmed by the amazing response from the people of Abu Dhabi who embraced the street food concept to their heart. From the wide open spaces of the desert to the green parks of Al Ain through to the bustling sophistication of Abu Dhabi city we were taken aback by the interest and enthusiasm of everyone who visited," said Philip Lowery, Director, Food Market Events Ltd, the UK-based company responsible for bringing the food trucks to the emirate.
Gourmet Abu Dhabi, which took place over 10 days, again thrilled participants and diners with a series of chef master classes, themed dinners and culinary promotions at some of the emirate's best restaurants and hotels.
Source: WAM