We have some plans for you this weekend. Before (or after) a chill day at our HIVE hang out (register here, it is free) — enjoy your weekend at Alserkal Avenue, learning more about such an important pillar of any culture — food.  

What: Food, Culture, and Beyond Festival 

Where: Alserkal Avenue 

When: October 26 & 27

Alserkal Avenue is set to host the third edition of What The Food (we all love the name), a unique culinary event that brings together Dubai’s most innovative chefs, artisans, and creative minds.

The core of What The Food is its commitment to sparking conversations around the cultural significance of food. It is so rare we actually think about our eating habits as our habitus, although it is exactly it. 

The event features keynote talks and discussions that delve into the art of cooking, the heritage of regional cuisines, and the evolving role of food in shaping communities. Noteworthy sessions include Chef Shaw from Lila Molino and Chef Soleman from Moonrise discussing culinary traditions, exploring the rich food and drink heritage of the Arab world.

Attendees can also look forward to Rotating Histories: Chutneys, Bread, and the Taste of Resilience, an installation led by Akshita Garud and Saba Sheikh of Two-Odd, which examines multicultural heritage through the lens of food. Other highlights include sessions on the role of food in holistic health, featuring talks like Food as Medicine by Health Nag and discussions on the power of mushrooms with Below Farm.

For those eager to immerse themselves in the art of cooking, What The Food offers an array of hands-on workshops. Learn the secrets of crafting traditional knafeh with Chef Halawa (The Sandy Times team is definitely signing up for this one and larger pants’ sizes), master Japanese knife-sharpening techniques with Kuto Knives, or perfect your steak game with a masterclass by CarniStore.

For a taste of creativity beyond the kitchen, attendees can participate in Tools and Tales of a Kitchen, a ceramics workshop led by artist Rania Jishi.

Food lovers can also join guided food walks, including a curated Food Crawl (not the pub one!) with Nada Badran of Wander With Nada, providing an in-depth exploration of the diverse flavours that define the event. 

This year’s festival will host ten celebrated chefs and culinary talents through exclusive pop-ups, each bringing their unique heritage to life through food. The lineup includes Chefs Isaac and Josue of Tacos Los Hermanos, who will present an authentic Mexican taco experience. Chef Federico Bartoli of MONNO, known for his refined Italian creations. Chef Reif Othman of Hoe Lee Kow will offer a fresh take on Korean cuisine, while Chef JP of Kooya showcases the vibrant flavours of Filipino dishes. Read what we love at Kooya here. 

That is a lot of good food, innit?

The event also emphasises supporting local food entrepreneurs, with appearances from Maknoon, offering Levantine-inspired extra virgin olive oil, and Yalabucha (it is Yalla Kombusha), known for its fruity and playful kombucha blends. Visitors can also sample organic produce from Pure Harvest and other artisanal offerings.

What The Food goes beyond just culinary delights, offering a fusion of food and art through interactive installations. Rotating Histories invites guests to experience a communal table filled with chutneys and fresh bread, symbolising cultural resilience and unity. 

Additionally, Jaipur Rugs presents a special exhibition featuring the Manchaha series, with designs that reflect the connection between food, agriculture, and Indian traditions.

For film enthusiasts, Cinema Akil will screen two acclaimed films that focus on food: The Truffle Hunter (2020), a story of men searching for rare truffles in Italy, and Sweet Bean (2015), a heartwarming tale of a bakery owner and his friendship with an elderly woman.

Set within the vibrant cultural hub of Alserkal Avenue, What The Food promises a weekend filled with exploration, creativity, and community spirit. From thought-provoking discussions to hands-on culinary experiences and captivating art installations, the event aims to challenge perceptions and celebrate the universal language of food. 

With a lineup of live music curated by Quoz Encore and a dynamic array of food pop-ups, this edition of What The Food is set to leave a lasting impression on Dubai’s cultural and culinary scene.

For a full schedule of events and tickets, visit this page.