THE Abu Dhabi Food Festival (ADFF) 2016 has successfully concluded, having welcomed more than 29,000 visitors and food lovers from the region, contributing to positioning Abu Dhabi as a global culinary hub. Organized by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the food festival, which ran last Dec. 5-23 across the emirate, incorporated an outstanding line-up of food and beverage events, including the Gourmet Abu Dhabi experiences, Street Feast, and for the first time, the SIAL trade fair, the fastest-growing trade fair events in the MENA region for the food, beverage and hospitality sector. Spanning over 19 days, ADFF attracted foodies and families who attended the festival's various events across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Gharbia and were offered a variety of experiences with celebrity chef appearances, food trucks, organic markets, themed dining experiences, and dedicated stations and cooking activities in malls across the emirates. Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director - Tourism Sector, at TCA Abu Dhabi, said: "This year's Abu Dhabi Food Festival was once again a resounding success that highlighted the emirate's culinary excellence and diversity. We took the festival's events and activities and made sure that they were spread across the emirate, to allow residents and visitors to experience not only exemplary food and beverages, but also highlights the wide diversity of Abu Dhabi and the attractions it hold. Abu Dhabi Food Festival has become one of the significant offerings on our annual calendar of events and we are adding more elements to it annually to further distinguish what we will offer." Street Feast, which ran over three successive weekends across Abu Dhabi, gave visitors the chance to savor the best of international and local street food, with options from more than 60 food trucks. Food enthusiasts of all ages enjoyed the classic on-the-go meals featuring a range of culinary delights, where more than 12,500 visitors attended the event in Al Ain, 16,500 visitors joined the event on Abu Dhabi Corniche. Food trucks were also parked at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba and Galleria shopping mall on Al Maryah Island, offering visitors and travellers the chance to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines. Abu Dhabi Food Festival this year featured a range of exciting and interactive events for children and families to enjoy. Spread across the emirate, dedicated stations and cooking activities in Yas mall, Al Ain mall, Nation Galleria, and Dalma mall invited visitors of all ages to participate and be part of the festival. For the first time ever, Abu Dhabi Food Festival welcomed Hollywood celebrities John Cusack and Jesse Metcalfe to the emirate for exclusive dining appearances. The festival also welcomed some of the world's most renowned celebrity chefs. Masterchef Australia's star Matt Preston; acclaimed Michelin Star chef, restaurateur and global TV personality, Graham Elliot; and star of Zumbo's Just Desserts, Adriano Zumbo. Each one of the chefs delighted food enthusiasts with exclusive pop-up restaurant appearances, meet & greets and cookbook signings throughout the festival. . ADFF has successfully attracted both residents and visitors alike to enjoy not only tasteful cuisines from some of the best chefs globally, but also some of the most amazing food, and multi-sensory culinary experiences available anywhere in the world today. All elements of the festival came together as part of a packed program of delectable offerings that further positioned Abu Dhabi as a truly international hub of culinary inspiration.
