Dubai Food Carnival, the biggest international food event in the UAE emirate, will open tomorrow  (February 12) with an action-packed schedule featuring 14 international and celebrity chefs, more than 40 of the UAE’s finest restaurants showcasing their culinary skills.

Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Dubai Food Carnival is a headline event of the second annual Dubai Food Festival – the 23-day, city-wide culinary celebration designed to highlight Dubai’s emergence as a global gastronomy destination.

A world-class line-up of international chef talent will demonstrate their culinary prowess at the exclusive Chef’s Dome at Dubai Food Carnival, including twice Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar of Rang Mahal - a modern Indian restaurant at Dubai’s JW Marriott Marquis; UK television star, Simon Rimmer, the founder of The Scene in Pier 7, Dubai Marina; Indian culinary maestro, Sanjeev Kapoor; TV celebrity and UAE-based ‘all organic’ aficionado, Silvena Rowe; Manal Al Alem, the ‘Queen of the Arabian Kitchen’; and Fatafeat TV celebrity, Tarek Ibrahim.

In addition to the leading international talent, a who’s who of the UAE’s leading food and beverage (F&B) stars will perform live cooking demonstrations in the Dubai Food Festival Academy – a new feature for 2015.

The line-up includes Tyson Podolski, head chef at Prime 68, and Amrish Sood, chef de cuisine at Rang Mahal, both in the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai; Russell Impiazzi, Culinary director of Galeries Lafayette in Dubai Mall; David Cagle, head chef for CHI Hospitality brands, St. Tropez Bistro and SoHo Grill, and Alex Ferriss, executive sous chef at Jones the Grocer.

Dubai Food Festival Academy will also feature a trio of leading culinary stars from Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai, including Ireno Labao, chef de cuisine of the noodle house; Oscar Rito, chef patron of Tortuga Mexican Kitchen and Bar; and, Lawrence Wells, executive chef of Perry & Blackwelder’s Original Smokehouse.

The participating chefs will create a series of signature dishes at Dubai Food Carnival, with free samples handed out to visitors immediately at each live session.

Away from the chefs, more than 80 food brands – comprising 40 restaurant stalls including Loca, Sumo Sushi and Bento, Tortuga, the noodle house, Soho Grill, Tidjoori, and Biker’s Café amongst others – will provide an indulgent menu of food options for Dubai Food Carnival visitors.

A plethora of Dubai’s top musical talent and entertainment acts will be showcased at the event. Highlights include ‘Crunksta’, a beat-box specialist in pop music hits, movie trailers and stand-up comedy routines, and popular Irish F&B outlet McGettigan’s house bands and solo artists.

Dubai Food Carnival will also feature competitions galore. In addition to ‘The Great Yalla BBQ’, a mega grill-off concept which returns with an exciting new format; event newcomer SoHo Grill, Dubai’s home-grown New York-themed steakhouse, will host a ‘Ribs n Bibs’ eating contest, while Hummingbird Bakery, the home of quality American baking in Dubai, will stage a ‘Little Bakers’ competition for kids at its stand.

Dubai Food Carnival is open from 3 pm to 1 0pm on February 12, and from 12 pm to 10 pm on February 13 and 14. One-day tickets are available for Dh30 per person, while customers of the event’s Official Bank Partner, Emirates NBD, can take advantage of a Dh10 discount. Children under 12 enter for free.

All tickets are available from www.dubaifoodcarnival.com and Time Out Tickets (www.timeouttickets.com). – TradeArabia News Service