SOPEXA, the international partner of food and beverage companies, is launching the largest cheese event of its kind in the Middle East, as part of this year’s Dubai Food Festival.
The Dubai Cheese Fest will take place at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, from 7pm on 22 February and 12 noon on 23 February.
The inaugural edition of the festival will feature cheeses from around the world, served by a line-up of prestigious and acclaimed producers.
“As the first and only cheese festival of its kind in the region, it is clear that UAE cheese aficionados have been waiting for such an event. The festival will feature an enormous selection of rare, vintage, new, and classic cheeses. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet and interact with award-winning cheese specialists from different parts of the world and learn from the best,” said Edwina Salvatori, managing director, SOPEXA Middle East.
Internationally recognised cheese expert Mark Todd also known as ‘The Cheese Dude’, the US Dairy brand ambassador will be on hand to share encyclopaedic knowledge gleaned over a near 30-year career as an artisanal cheese aficionado, author, and dairy industry expert. He will showcase a wide range of US cheeses highlighting their impressive flavours and unusual textures, while drawing on their versatility and quality to complement the diverse local cuisine.
The House of Cheese, by the Cheeses of Europe, brought to Dubai by the French Dairy Board, CNIEL will feature a display of French cheeses presented by four cheese experts.
Between demos and cooking sessions, visitors can indulge in traditional cheese-based dishes from Latin America, Italy, Eastern Europe, Greece, India, and the Middle East amongst others, as they amble dozens of exhibitor booths. They will also have the opportunity to sample produce from well-known cheese producers including Soignon goat cheese or discover cheeses from as far away as New Zealand.
“This isn’t just a tasting or education event, it’s a whole world of cheeses, featuring a diverse mix of international varieties and recipes. In recent years, people have become much more aware of the broad spectrum of cheese on offer and as a result, global demand has increased,” Salvatori said.
Demonstrating the versatility of different types of cheese, the festival will showcase the talents of experts such as cheese word champion Fabien Degoulet, award-winning cheesemonger Francois Robin, Indian artisan cheesemaker Mansi Jasani, and critically acclaimed chef Mohanad Alshamali from BHAR, Renaissance Hotel Dubai. They will be creating unique and original pairings with unconventional ingredients from around the world.
While the adults enjoy a line-up of pairings, families can also keep the kids entertained all day long at the kids’ corner and CheeseArt drawing area.
The event, which is free to enter, is produced by SOPEXA, the international food & drink marketing agency.
What: An international festival of cheese from around the world with free entry
When: 7pm – 12 midnight, 22 February & 12 noon – 10pm 23 February
Where: The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
