DUBAI — Food Indulgence is probably one of the top treats to oneself or from one to others and the Dubai Food Festival (DFF), the 18-day festival, offers an exceptional experience with its diverse activities to satisfy everyone's taste and fondness of food, is one such indulgence. DFF, in its new edition, unveiled exciting food concepts in addition to fun activities as part of the Beach Canteen while the festival opening at the Etisalat Beach Canteen saw a beachside fireworks display. The Etisalat Beach Canteen visitors' got the chance to visit the amazing food trucks, pop-up shops, talks, events, cooking demonstrations and live music. Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the organizer, invited media group from around the GCC region and Egypt to a Fam trip to experience the ongoing activities during DFF. The Beach Canteen was one of the first locations to visit, it included diverse food-trucks from international cuisines, gaming park and a kid's play zone. It incudes an area from where visitors can watch and learn from leading chefs and culinary experts, including Chef Vinu Raveendran, representatives of the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) and Dubai training centre. Dubai College of Tourism was another interesting booth within the Canteen Beach. A visit to Carnival by Tresind, the Indian Restaurant is another remarkable destination. It is one of the landmark festive restaurants with exceptional dining experience. Chef Raveendran met us and we had the chance to visit the restaurant's kitchen and see and watch the team preparing delightful and tasty food. Carnival creates seasons with different concepts, Season7 has new and exciting concept inspired by an international dishes or cultures, but has an Indian soul. Carnival menu gives food lovers multiple options to enjoy either A La Carte, Chef Tasting menu, Lunch set or Friday Brunch, in addition to the yummy and delicious beverages. We had the opportunity to visit the MasterChef restaurant the world-first TV Experience restaurant in the Millennium Place Marina hotel, where people can learn how to cook like a MasterChef with the chance to learn from Head Chef Margarita Vaamonde-Beggs a series of champions' dishes or to deal with the fun of a mystery box challenge. Located in Jaddaf waterfront, staying at Palazzo Versace Dubai was very exciting. The 16th century Italian Palace, is a classic, yet neo work of art with delicate outlines of Arabian architecture. With its unique luxurious Italian furniture that typically represents the Versace style in every single detail from the first moment. The hotel has 215 hotel rooms and suites, and 169 residences. Enigma restaurant at Palazzo Versace Dubai with its Taste of Persia serves Persian cuisine dishes with the thoughtful and subtle additions of Michelin starred hotel's Executive Chef, Mansour Memarian. Enigma offers exceptional experience allowing guests to interact with Chef Mansour and his team with several dishes being prepared live. Do not miss visiting the Mirzam Chocolate factory at Alsirkal Avenue during the tour of DFF. The factory is designed to have all the production process transparent. Visitors can experience every aspect of chocolate making, from roasting cocoa beans to hand wrapping each bar. LOWE restaurant is a contemporary dining experience, with a share-style menu that combines traditional techniques and unique flavors. LOWE serves daily breakfast, A La Carte menu, desserts, burgers and set menus for lunch and dinner. LOWE also participates in Dubai Restaurant Week as part of the DFF. LOWE, located at Al Barari, is one of the main attractions in Dubai. Platinum Heritage is an experiential dining in the desert in DFF. It is an immersive Bedouin Cuisine masterclass that takes place under the stars at an authentic Bedouin Village, teaching visitors about Bedouin recipes and traditions and discovering more about Arabic coffee, not only how to make it but the etiquettes and traditions around it. Emirates Bio Farm offers an organic tasting tour including a farm dinner to taste dozens of unique flavors around the fields while learning about organic and sustainable farming and a five-course dinner using all organic produce harvested straight from the fields. DFF hosts Foodie Experiences, such as MasterClass series, these classes gives visitors amusement and knowledge, and a hands-on chance to try everything from vegan Vietnamese dishes to dim sum; cake decorating to MasterChef-style cooking challenges. Dubai Restaurant Week (DRW), runs from March 5-14 offering the chance to indulge in gourmet global food at very special festival prices, DRW features 36 outlets, and exclusive menus at Dubai's best restaurants, including five associated with celebrity chefs. Dubai Hidden Gems highlights the unsung heroes of Dubai's ever-evolving food scene. A shortlist of 40 restaurants, cafes and food outlets has already been selected by DFF. Hidden Gems restaurants all offer authentic tasty food at affordable prices. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are not away from DFF through Home Edition, shoppers spending AED250 or more at a participating outlet will be placed in a weekly raffle to win vouchers valued at AED50,000 per week during Dubai Food Festival. Shoppers can also experience food tasting sessions and live cookery demonstrations. More conventions and activities during DFF include Tasty Tunes. More rewarding experiences are like DINE & WIN promotion run in collaboration with the Dubai Shopping Malls Group and featuring 19 participating malls and various other F&B outlets across the city. Limited Edition Coffee Series is back for Dubai Food Festival 2020! For the second year in a row Limited Edition Coffee Series, both Dubai homegrown brands as well as international coffee brands are offering a limited-edition coffee — only available during the festival period.
