Apéritif à la Française celebrates French food in Dubai

Cooking stations and demonstrations will give the UAE's food professionals new ideas on ways to use French products.

Chefs at Aperitif a la Francaise will be preparing traditional French dishes such as crepes. iStock

Food professionals will come together tomorrow night in Dubai for a celebration of French food and culture. Apéritif à la Française is an annual event held in 10 cities around the world to raise awareness of French food products. Held at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, this is the event’s 10th year in Dubai.

“Gastronomy is really important to the French people,” says Edwina Salvatori, the marketing manager for Apéritif à la Française in Dubai. “It’s part of our culture. [The event] is just a way to introduce French ­gastronomy.”

Cooking stations and demonstrations will give food professionals new ideas on ways to use French products. But it’s not a typical food show. “It’s organised as a party, but really friendly. We try to recreate the typical French ambience. We have singers. It’s really cosy. It’s not a formal event,” Salvatori says.

While this event is for food industry professionals, Apéritif à la Française will host a second event open to the public in late October. That event will feature food tastings, a crêpe competition and a workshop and cooking demonstration for kids.

• For more information, visit www.aperitifalafrancaise.com