A packed programme of delectable offerings was unveiled as this year’s edition of Abu Dhabi Food Festival (ADFF) opened across the emirate.

The 19-day festival, organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Author-ity (TCA Abu Dhabi), will run till 23 December 2016 and spread out celebrated food and beverage events such as Gourmet Abu Dhabi, Street Feast, and for the first time, the SIAL Middle East trade fair.

Some of the most famous chefs in the business – including MasterChef Australia star Matt Preston, Michelin Star chef and global TV personality Graham Elliot, and Adriano Zumbo, star of Zumbo’s Just Desserts – will be present at the event.

The chefs do cooking demonstrations, restaurant appearances, ‘Meet & Greets’ and cookbook signings, while lucky food enthusiasts will get the chance to enjoy dinner with Hollywood royalty John Cusack and Jesse Metcalfe as part of Gourmet Abu Dhabi’s celebrity hosted dining line-ups. Mubarak Al Shamisi, director of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau at TCA Abu Dhabi said:

“The food festival is designed to bring together the creative minds of renowned chefs and culinary enthusiasts from around the world to our emirate. We are committed to highlighting Abu Dhabi’s leading position as a year-round destination of choice in the region, with internationally recognised events.”

Spread over 19 days and taking in three weekends, ADFF will attract both residents and visitors alike to enjoy not only cuisine from some of the best chefs on the planet, but also some of the most scrumptious food-related experiences, complete with themed dinners, food trucks, live entertainment, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, meet and greets, cook book signings and mall activations that will delight families, children and a broad array of food enthusiasts.