Dubai Food Festival: Fun, Feast, & Fervor

Tell us about the restaurant’s game-plan for DFF, signature specialties, or highlights planned that you think will be the big crowd-pullers this year?
At Thiptara, our set menu with one starter, one main course, and dessert is priced at AED 250. Some of the signature specialties that will be a huge crowd-puller include the award-winning Som Tum Thai (authentic Thai papaya salad), our most loved dish, the Gong Phad Med Mamueng, which is stir-fried prawns with dry chilis – a must-try for all Asian food lovers and those looking to experience the taste of authentic Thai food.


What according to you is the biggest draw when it comes to the Dubai culinary scene?
The extensive variety and the numerous options in the city regarding food options – whether it is a small eatery, fine dining, or a celebrity-chef-operated restaurant that you’re looking for, there’s always something new to experience and new menus to savor in Dubai. The ever-changing, ever-evolving dining options keep residents and tourists coming back for more. Whether you are looking for a weekend outing, a celebration, or an important meeting – you’ve got the places and food to choose from. With so many new restaurants opening throughout the year and new menu options – guests are always spoilt for choice.


Share any Covid-fuelled culinary trends you’ve seen gaining momentum in the last one year?
We’ve seen many of our guests now chose vegan and dairy-free options over the previous year. People are more conscious of their food choices, are more curious to learn about several preparations, and keen to understand the culture behind every cuisine more than ever before. With this in mind, we have a dedicated Salad Bar, a vegetarian set menu, and a selection of healthy takeaway options at our hotels.


Tell us about your most memorable DFF incident, if any?
During the previous editions, our chefs used to do live cooking at the beach canteen, located on Kite beach. A lot of experimentation and fusion within different kinds of ingredients was something they’d all play with and develop unique flavors from around the world. The food served and the experience of our live cooking stations is definitely one of my favorite memories from DFF, and we hope they will be brought back in the future.


How important do you think are food festivals like DFF for positioning the Middle East on the global F&B scene?
Dubai Food Festival has gone a long way in establishing UAE as a food and culture destination on the global stage. With a collective government collaboration and a dedicated food festival that runs for three weeks every year – it is a clear message that Dubai is an important destination for F&B experiences. While many residents may not have traveled outside of the UAE due to the pandemic, I am certain they haven’t missed out on food from every possible country because everything, absolutely everything is available in Dubai.