Bakers unite! Pastry chef David Yan from Dusit Gourmet at the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi will host Christmas baking classes every Monday throughout November. You’ll learn to make a variety of Christmas treats, cakes, stollen (fruit cake) and gingerbread cookies. The two-hour classes include afternoon tea at Orchid Lounge. Mondays in November, 3pm to 5pm, Dh135. For reservations, call 02 698 8137.
This weekend, transport yourself to Germany without leaving the capital. Le Meridien Abu Dhabi is hosting its 11th annual Oktoberfest tonight and tomorrow. The live band Alpenklang has flown in from Bavaria to add to the festive German atmosphere. The hotel has also brought in a chef from Germany to prepare a Bavarian buffet with pretzels, sauerkraut, Bavarian dumplings, homemade sausages, German potato salad and more. The entrance fee is Dh112 for adults and includes the buffet. Dh60 for kids, free for kids ages four and below. For reservations, call 02 644 6666.
If you love oysters, head to Pearls & Caviar at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri for their World of Oysters promotion. Throughout November, guests can devour a plate of these mollusks for Dh185, which includes two beverages. From 7pm to 11:30, on Fridays from 8pm to 11:30pm. For reservations, call 02 509 8777.
From November 1 through November 10, Thai chef Yongyos Chimthep from Benjarong at the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi will serve an a la carte menu in celebration of the annual festival Loy Krathong. The Thai festival involves the tradition of making krathong (decorated baskets) and floating them on a river. Krathong are often made from a slice of a banana tree trunk or a spider lily plant. On November 4, before you head to Benjarong, guests are invited to join (for free) the Loy Krathong festival at Breeze, the rooftop pool bar on the 23rd floor for a performance by a traditional Khim player and traditional Thai dancers. Canapés and beverages will be served. Benjarong is open daily for lunch from 12:30pm to 3pm and for dinner from 7pm to 11pm. For reservations to Benjarong’s culinary celebration, call 02 698 8137.