Inaugural ‘Taste of Abu Dhabi' Culinary Celebration to Launch in the Capital this November

- Celebrity chefs hungry for a Taste of Abu Dhabi, with Jun Tanaka and Eric Lanlard confirmed to launch the event at du Arena
- 15 of the capital’s culinary hot spots to participate in the inaugural Taste of Abu Dhabi festivalon 6 - 8November2014

8 September 2014 - Abu Dhabi, UAE: Thousands of visitorsfrom across the UAE and the Gulf are set to descend on Abu Dhabi this autumn for the first ever Taste of Abu Dhabi festival, whichis coming to Yas Islandfrom 6 to 8November 2014.

The world’s favourite al fresco food, drink and music festival will make its debut in the capital, showcasing fifteen signature restaurants, a host of international celebrity chefs, andmore than fifty exhibitors at Yas Island’s du Arena for three days of food-filled fun for the whole family.
Brought to Abu Dhabi by Turret Media,Taste of Abu Dhabi promises to indulge, excite and entertain thousands of visitors. Participating restaurants already signed up for the festival includeAngar,Avasa, Café d’Alsace,Carluccio’s, Catch, McGettigan’s, Noodle Box,Turqoiz, Ushna, Villa Toscana and Blue Grill.

Chris Fountain, Managing Director of event organisers Turret Media, said: “Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene has been thriving in recent years and Taste of Abu Dhabi will provide the perfect forum for people to really see and taste what the city has to offer.  Abu Dhabi will be the perfect host for our latest event as we are looking to build on the regional success of the Taste Festivals. Yas Island, with all its facilities, will be an amazing venue.” 

The inaugural event is set to appeal to all tastes and ages with a wide range of activities planned, including a live music stageco-sponsored by Land Rover and McGettigans, a chefs’ theatre, themed bars, a cookery school and a VIP lounge. With celebrity chefs Jun Tanaka, Eric Lanlardand Steven Edwards, MasterChef: The Professionals winneralready confirmed to delight crowds with live demonstrations, a number of additional names are set to be announced over the coming weeks. 
Adding to the family-friendly flavour of the festival, Funky Monkeys will host an interactive Kids Zone where children can indulge in activities such as cooking for kids, children’s mani-pedis, slides and a bouncy castle.
Celebrity chef Eric Lanlard commented: “I’ve heard a lot about Abu Dhabi over the past few years and I’m excited to be visiting the city for the first time this November.

“Taste festivals offer a fantastic opportunity for chefs to meet new people and really gain an understanding of local cultures and culinary traditions. I hope all the guests at Taste of Abu Dhabi will come by and try my culinary creations this year!”
Abu Dhabi becomes the twentieth global destination to host the world’s most popular restaurant festival. Taste Festivals first launched in 2004 at London’s Somerset House and now can be found across the globe with festival destinations including Sydney, Cape Town and Stockholm.
A number of high profile sponsorshave already come on board to help spread the fun.Premier Motors, the official dealer for Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has signed Land Roveras the official vehicle partner and co-sponsor of the entertainment stage with McGettigans, as well as Etihad Airways as the official airline partner,Evian/Badoit as official water sponsor, SPG as the official hotel partner, and Abu Dhabi Week, Virgin Radio, OSN and BBC Good Food as official media partners.

Taste of Abu Dhabi takes place at du Arena from Thursday 6 November to Saturday 8 November 2014.The festival will run from 4 – 11pm on Thursday, 12 – 11pm on Friday and 12 – 10pm on Saturday.
Early bird tickets will be on sale from September, starting from as little as AED49.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.tasteabudhabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tasteofabudhabi
Twitter: @TasteofAbuDhabi