Special Features
New Gourmet Show Brings International Chefs
The region’s first ever dedicated gourmet and fine food show looks set to take the Middle East food and hospitality industry by storm. The Speciality Food Festival boasts interactive and inspiring cookery demonstrations from international chefs during a three day exhibition of gourmet food from around the world.Highlights at the show include a dedicated Chef’s Corner presented by Emirates Culinary Guild, with Dubai’s top restaurants showcasing their creative culinary skills using premium products and ingredients selected from a variety of participating exhibitors, while inspiring visitors with fresh ideas and new industry trends. The demonstrations at Chef’s Corner will complement The Speciality Food Festival’s position as a forum for specialist buyers, chefs and suppliers to review, showcase and sample products, and as a meeting place for networking and active business transactions. Further opportunities for learning and debate are presented through a series of educational seminars from industry experts including Euromonitor International.
Taking place from 31 October – 2 November 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Speciality Food Festival fulfils an important need for the fast growing premium end of the Middle East’s food and hospitality industry. Companies from around the world will showcase a selection of fine foods ranging from high-end seafood to special breed meats, organic fresh produce, artisan products and innovative new flavours in both savoury and sweet categories.
“Having a speciality event which showcases the latest gourmet and speciality products will help our visitors to engage with and satisfy the sophisticated and discerning consumers in the Middle East” said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organiser of Speciality Food Festival. “We expect this inaugural show to inspire industry professionals with fresh ideas and new ways of doing business”.
Chefs from a number of top international brands with restaurants in the UAE will demonstrate their expertise and share insights on food trends within the gourmet speciality. Participants include Andrea Conte, JW Marriott; Connie Ferreria, Culinary Art Dubai; Daniel Nuss, Yas Hotel; Gabriele Kurz, Al Qasr; and Maurizio Bosetti, Frankie’s.
Daniel Nuss, Executive Chef at Yas Hotel, Yas Island, is delighted with the potential that The Speciality Food Festival offers for the local and regional hospitality industry: “Sourcing the finest ingredients is a constant challenge in our industry, so the Speciality Food Festival is an event that will be much welcomed here. And with time being so stretched in our field of work, bringing such a broad range of products together under one roof means we can be more efficient in our selection of ingredients for our menus.”
Exhibitors are equally confident of a successful outcome from the show, with Tas Prime Oysters Manager, Jane Kenane echoing the sentiments of many by commenting that “The UAE has been recognised as an emerging market seeking high quality produce from leading global producers. By participating in the upcoming Speciality Food Festival, Tas Prime Oysters hopes to establish relationships with leading UAE seafood wholesalers who have a strong commitment to high quality products and food safety compliance standards. By working in conjunction with such wholesalers, we hope to deliver an experience to Middle East fine diners that they have never had before.”
Combined with the co-located events Sweets & Snacks Middle East, Sweet & SnackTec Middle East and The International Travel Catering Association Exhibition (ITCA Dubai), all four dedicated food industry events will run alongside each other providing visitors and exhibitors alike with the perfect trading, networking and cross-selling environment.
The exhibition is for Trade and Business Professionals only and will be open from 10am - 6pm daily. General public and persons under the age of 18 will not be permitted entry. Free visitor registration is available now online at www.speciality.ae. Registration will also be available at the show upon proof of trade status.
