Gourmet dishes, innovative beverages, and local and international performers are set to make this year’s Taste of Abu Dhabi a grand affair. The three-day event will be held from November 9 to 11, at the du Arena on Yas Island – the festival’s original venue. British pop star Tony Hadley will be this season’s headline act on opening night. The Gold and Only When You Leave singer-songwriter was the lead singer of the Spandau Ballet. Dubai-based quartet The Maplejacks, American duo Down Home and Taste of Abu Dhabi and Dubai regulars 4The Music are some of the other musical performances announced so far, in between lively tunes from DJ Krish. This year’s line-up of chefs, flown in by Etihad Airways, includes: Dean Parker from London restaurant The Manor, Eric Räty from Hong Kong’s Café Gray Delux; Paris-based Gregory Marchand from Frenchie restaurant; and Nathan Sasi from Sydney’s Mercado. Visitors can also sample signature dishes from UAE restaurants such as Sho Cho, Flooka, The Grill, Melius, Tamba, Hickory’s, Loca, Catch, Cafe Sushi and Leopold’s of London. Shelina Permalloo, winner of BBC’s Masterchef 2012, will not only make her Taste of Abu Dhabi debut, but also host masterclasses at Etihad Chef’s Theatre. Visitors can also participate in the Al Ain Dairy Cooking Challenge, hosted and judged by one of the celebrity chefs. Returning chefs include Indian cuisine specialists Sanjeev Kapoor and Reza Mahammad, and South Africa’s Jenny “Giggling Gourmet” Morris. For more information, updates or to buy tickets, visit <a href="http://www.tasteabudhabi.com">TasteAbuDhabi.com</a>.
