Majid Al Futtaim’s malls in Dubai to serve up a delicious helping of activities during Dubai Food Festival (DFF) 2016

To mark Dubai Food Festival, Majid Al Futtaim’s malls in Dubai—in partnership with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE)—are offering visitors a programme of culinary fun and the opportunity to help children in need with a new charity initiative “Draw for good”. Visitors will enjoy live performances from celebrity chefs and get a chance to win spectacular prizes, from February 25th to March 12th 2016.

Children engaging in the activities will have the opportunity to help children in need through the new charity initiative: “Draw for good”. Little ones visiting City Centres Deira, Mirdif and Me’aisem, will be invited to draw a meal on a white plate that they wish they could share with children in need. Majid Al Futtaim will donate all the proceeds from the purchased plates to humanitarian organisation Red Crescent who will send them to families in need. Additionally, all visitors will be able to make a contribution with donation boxes placed near the stations.  

“Mall of the Emirates, City Centres Deira, Mirdif and Me’aisem have prepared exciting themed activities as the city gears-up to celebrate Dubai Food Festival. DFF is an ideal opportunity for each of our malls in Dubai to showcase the incredible and varied dining options available to our visitors. Whether you are looking for a quick bite, a health conscious offering, a family meal, or an indulgent dessert, the outlet mix at Majid Al Futtaim’s shopping malls are carefully edited taking everyone’s requirements and tastes into consideration,” said Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Senior Director – Property Development, Shopping Malls for Majid Al Futtaim, “As a strategic partner of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Majid Al Futtaim continues to demonstrate its support to the Emirate’s initiatives across its lifestyle destinations, while following our vision of creating great moments for everyone, everyday.”

Adding to the culinary fun on offer, shoppers will be able to see live demonstrations from numerous culinary experts, right inside the mall.

Twenty-one-year old Chef Nikita Gandhi, the youngest participant to win the reality series ‘Master Chef India’, and who was crowned India’s top vegetarian chef on the popular show, will be cooking live at City Centre Deira, on March 4th, from 2:00pm to 4:30 pm. 

Emirati sensation and young Chef Bader Najeeb, specialized in baking desserts and known for his contagious passion, will be cooking live at City Centre Mirdif, on March 4th, from 2:00pm to 4:30 pm. A social media competition ‘Dine and Win’ on City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif’s pages will allow winners to personally meet with the young chefs.

Offering an artistic touch to the festivities, visitors at Mall of the Emirates will have the chance to show off their ‘Art of Plating’ skills by posting their culinary creations on social media #MOEPLATEART. Food enthusiasts will be able to see the masters in action during live ‘Art of Plating’ demonstrations from five different chefs, daily, in the South Galleria, at noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm, from March 3rd to 5th. 

Participants who post their creations on #MOEPLATEART, will have the chance to go home with AED10,000 as a panel of culinary professionals select the best design and use of ingredients. 

Participating chefs include: British Master Chef Silvena Rowe, television personality, owner of Omnia Baharat and writer of best-seller “Cookbook Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume” who will demonstrate her experience in the ‘Art of Plating’ on March 3rd, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm; Master Chef Tim Ryder, winner of Master Chef New Zealand 2015 who will be demonstrating his talent for artistic plating on March 4th, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.

Additionally, Chef Paul Botista from Common Grounds, Chef Waleed from Sheraton hotel; Chef Master Pizzaiolo Rosario from 800 degrees; Chef Luigi Enriquez from Texas De Brazil; Chef Camille Rigwan from Apres; Chef Waleed from Kempinski, Chef Hussam from Azkadenya and Chef Vishal Pareek from Angelina, will show off their #MOEPLATEART styles from minimalist and geometric to traditional and rustic during the live culinary performances.

In line with Majid al Futtaim’s vision to create great moments for everyone, everyday, visitors will get the chance to win big during this edition of Dubai Food Festival. At Mall of the Emirates, visitors spending AED 150 or more will get a chance to enter a raffle draw that will allow two shoppers to win AED 10 000. To double their chances of winning, visitors can shop at any F&B outlet of the mall. 

Visitors of City Centres Deira, Mirdif and Me’aisem will be instantly rewarded with delicious treats at the new and exciting ‘Crave Carnival Stations’. Visitors can redeem their coupons at the Customer Service Desks by showing their shopping receipts of AED 150 or more. To unlock the boxes of the stations, participants simply need to post on their Instagram, Twitter or Facebook pages the event’s Hashtag and coupon code, and the box will open unveiling tasty surprises.