Calling All Dubai Foodies–You Don’t Want to Miss This Event 

From Oct. 26-27

If you’re stuck on weekend plans, we’ve got just the thing for you. Alserkal Avenue’s What The Food is back for its third edition on October 26 and 27, gathering Dubai’s top chefs, food artisans, and cultural innovators for a weekend that’s tailor made for any self-proclaimed foodie.

With a bold mix of immersive installations, workshops, food walks, and talks, What The Food is asking attendees to rethink their relationship with what’s on their plates, transforming the warehouse-dotted creative hub into a space where food is not just consumed but critically examined as an essential part of identity, community, and culture.

At the heart of this year’s event is a lineup of engaging conversations that uncover the many layers of food’s role in society. Highlights include keynote addresses by Chef Shaw from Lila Molino and Chef Soleman from Moonrise, both of whom bring a contemporary edge to traditional culinary practices.

Meanwhile, the Matbakh series, curated by afikra, features Leen Al Zaben and Ziyad Ayass celebrating the Arab region’s rich food and drink traditions. Elsewhere, the installation “Rotating Histories: Chutneys, Bread, and the Taste of Resilience” led by Akshita Garud and Saba Sheikh (Two-Odd), explores how multicultural heritage and representation are preserved and celebrated through food. These conversations extend beyond the culinary realm, with topics like Food as Medicine by Health Nag and The Role of Anti-Inflammatory Foods in Holistic Health with DNA, shedding light on food’s transformative power for health and wellness.

 

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Workshops and food walks form a vital part of the weekend’s hands-on approach. Guests will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and take part in sessions like Knafeh-Making with Chef Halawa or sharpen their skills at the Edge Craft workshop, hosted by Kuto Knives, offering a deep dive into the art of Japanese knife sharpening. For those with an interest in sustainable practices, How Mushrooms Nourish & Nurture People and Planet by Below Farm will explore the environmental impact of mushroom farming, while Foraging Through The Yard with Shereen Saif will introduce participants to the world of edible plants.

The event also serves as a platform for culinary pop-ups from ten leading chefs, each bringing their unique cultural heritage to the table. Among the culinary highlights is Chef Isaac and Chef Josue of Tacos Los Hermanos, who will offer an authentic taste of Guadalajara with their tacos. Chef Shaw’s collaboration with Carnistore promises hand-pressed tortillas paired with premium meats, while Chef Reif Othman of Hoe Lee Kow will reinterpret Korean cuisine with modern flair. Filipino flavors will come alive through Kooya’s JP Anglo, and Colombian-born Chef Brandos will present grilled dishes that speak to his heritage.

The artful blending of food and culture extends into the visual realm with installations, including by Jaipur Rugs, which features rugs adorned with agricultural motifs from India.

There’s something for film lovers, too. What The Food offers screenings at Cinema Akil, including The Truffle Hunter (2020), which follows a group of men in Italy on the hunt for rare white truffles, and Sweet Bean (2015), a touching story of an unexpected bond formed through food.

 

For a full list of workshops, talks, and pop-ups, visit Alserkal Avenue’s website.

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