Taste of Abu Dhabi moves to Zayed Sports City for its third outing

Organisers are offering an even bigger menu of stars, delicacies, music and fun this year. Here are some snippets to whet your appetite.

Visitors tour stalls at Taste of Abu Dhabi food festival. Ravindranath K / The National

Taste of Abu Dhabi kicks off on Thursday, November 10 and whether you are a self-­professed foodie or just like to have a feast available no matter where you go, this is the event you have been waiting for. There is a lot to see – and eat – at this year’s festival. Here is our handy guide on how to get the most out it.

Location, location, location

The first two festivals were at du Arena. This year, organisers have moved it to Zayed Sports City – in the hopes of attracting a bigger crowd.

“We are confident our exciting new venue will help us achieve this, with its central location, easy access and open facilities,” says Chris Fountain, managing director of event organisers Turret Media.

The festival will be held in the outdoor space between Zayed Sports City Stadium and the bowling centre.

Barry Bremmer, general manager of Zayed Sports City, is confident the shift in venue will lead to even greater success.

“We are thrilled to be hosting it,” he says.

“Zayed Sports City is a natural choice. We have great open spaces, with easy access that will work well for everyone.”

Eating around the capital

The highlight of the annual festival is, of course, the food dished up by some of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi.

This year, 17 restaurants will have pop-up stalls where you can sample their fare.

They include buzzworthy newcomers such as Bu, Tamba, Punjab Grill and JW Steakhouse, as well as festival veterans such as Sho Cho, Nolu’s and Flooka.

Foodies can also get a preview of the delights to come from Loca – a ­Mexican restaurant scheduled to open early next year in The Galleria on Al Maryah Island.

Each outlet will offer a selection of starters and mains, with many also offering desserts, all served in ­manageable portions so you can try a few without filling up.

Prices for each dish will range from Dh15 to Dh35.

For a list of the restaurants and the food on offer, visit www.tasteabudhabi.com/restaurants

Star spotting

Don't miss your chance to meet the celebrity chefs. This year's star-studded line-up includes: Sanjeev Kapoor, India's most famous chef; Briton Ed Baines; Food Network star Jenny Morris; and Tarek Ibrahim and Mohammed Orfali, stars of the television channel Fatafeat.

Throughout the weekend, the chefs will share their culinary skills and secrets as they make some of their favourite dishes in the ­Etihad Chef’s Theatre. Festivalgoers can sign up for the chance to cook along with the chefs at one of 25 Delicio and Noor Cooking Challenges.

Slots in the cookery challenges are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For a schedule of demonstrations at the chef's theatre and the cookery challenges, visit www.tasteabudhabi.com/whats-on

Music to our ears

Taste of Abu Dhabi is not only about the food – there is music, too.

On Thursday, the headline act are Bjorn Again, an Australian group founded in 1988 that have been seen in 71 countries.

This affectionate, light-hearted spoof of Swedish pop group Abba are credited with inspiring the movie Mamma Mia!. The show starts at 9.30pm.

Italian trio Il Volo take to the stage on Saturday. Consisting of baritone Gianluca Ginoble, tenor Piero Barone and tenor ­Ignazio Boschetto, they describe their music as “popera”.

The group have released ­top-selling albums around the world and performed with iconic artists such as Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion and Placido Domingo. They will perform a 30-­minute set starting at 3pm.

More to explore

As if all that were not enough, there will be another 50-plus ­exhibitors on hand.

Vendors including Tavola, ­Candylicious, Just Organic, The Goods Collective and Co, Mama's Cupcakes (winner of Abu Dhabi's best cupcake, as judged by The National), and Belvas Belgian Chocolates will be on site each day selling and offering samples of their wares.

There will also be a dedicated kids’ zone to keep the little ones ­entertained.

Activities include arts and crafts, cookery classes and fairground rides.

For Taste of Abu Dhabi tickets, visit www.tasteabudhabi/tickets