Interview: 3 minutes with Chef Diego Aira Piva

Chef Diego Aira Piva is the Culinary Director of the Chef�s Theatre and is sharing his thoughts about the confectionery sector and what you can expect by visiting the Chefs Theatre at the Speciality Food Festival.

What new consumer trends are taking over the confectionary sector?

The general new trends are definitely products with less sugar. It might be strange for a sector that is essentially based on sugar but today the consumers are not attracted by shining colours or just by a nice appearance. The consumer is looking more and more on the ingredients.

How has the confectionary industry evolved in line with today�s more health-conscious consumers?

The industry is following the general trend on a more healthy still of life. To sell sweets, the industry needs to work more on the content (ingredients) than the appearance.

How are you adapting/setting the trends?

I am a consultant for Italian restaurants and I opened Italian restaurants in many countries in different continents, sometime to set new trends is better to simplify the offer and reduce the sophistications. The cuisine is an art in all its forms but is ��an instant art�� that should be enjoyed with no explanation. When a dish needs to be explained it never set any trend.

What brings you to the Speciality Food Festival? Is this your first time?

This is my 5th edition of The Speciality Food Festival and it is important for me to attend as I can see what new products readily available and services that can assist me in setting up new restaurants.

What will you showcase at the Chef Theater?

The chef theatre is the house of the chefs. Every year we try to create the best environment where the producer, manufactures and F&B operators can meet the chefs. The chefs are the ��end users�� and one of the most important actors in the industry. At the chef theatre, we give them the opportunity to showcase their cuisine playing with the best ingredients. One of the most important characteristics of the Chef Theatre is that all the activities are planned to be very spectacular like a real show. That�s is extremely important to us.

New trends, new products, old and new techniques compared and explained. Story and future of specifics dishes and traditions. Ethnic cuisines and the importance of the quality ingredients.

What kind attendees/visitors expect from the Chef Theater?

Visitors have a chance to see Michelin and celebrity chefs creating next level seafood, organic, gluten-free and artisan cuisine in a bustling festival environment.

With tips and insights gathered from all over the world, Executive and Michelin Starred chefs will be demonstrating exactly what they are bringing to the table in 2018. And if you are wondering� Yes, it will be delicious!

Travel Agency

Our Official Travel Partner Alpha Tours manages travel and visa arrangements for our Gulfood visitors and exhibitors. Services include:

• Travel & Visa Arrangements
• Accommodation
• Tour Packages
• Transportation
• Daily scheduled shuttle to/from the exhibition centre

For bookings, please contact:

Mr. Mr. Abdullah Aridi
[email protected]
Office: +971 4 7019111
Toll Free: 800 25742 929

27th Floor, Burlington Tower
P.O. Box 25718
Business Bay, Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Emirates Airlines - 10% Off tickets

Travel on Emirates to Dubai, for Speciality Food Festival 2020. Emirates has excellent connections to all of the six continents via Dubai with more than 155 current destinations worldwide.

Book your travel today at

Promotion code: EVE6FOO

Travel Validity: 27 Oct � 12 Nov 2020

Terms and conditions

• Outbound and inbound travel must be within the validity period
• Destinations: Offer valid ONLY from and to gateway cities in which Emirates operates direct flights. (Including interline flights to gateway cities).
• Discount applicable: 10% off on Flex and Flex Plus online fares on Business Class and on Economy Class return fares. First Class no discount is applicable.
• Offer valid ONLY for return travel to Emirates gateway cities to DXB and not from DXB.
• The offer may not be used in conjunction with any other promotion, discount or special offer.
• Regular charges applies for any modification and changes as per the fare rule and conditions.
• The promotion code should be displayed on a secured website which is accessed by the attendees.
• All Emirates Skywards members will receive Skywards Miles for this trip when booked using the promotional code. Visit Emirates Skywards to become a member.
• Complimentary chauffeur-driven car for Business Class passengers.

Visa Information

Do you need an entry permit or a visa to enter the UAE?

GCC citizens do not need visa to enter the UAE. Some of the other nationalities can obtain visa on arrival while others need to apply for visa in advance. Find out if you need a visa to enter the UAE.

Visa on arrival
Citizens of certain countries do not require advance visa arrangements to enter the UAE and can obtain a visa upon arrival for 30 days with a 10-day grace period for extension. View the website below to view the full list of countries.

For bookings, please contact:

Click here for more information on how to obtain a visa

Novotel

When it comes to business and tourism, no hotel could be more convenient and central than the Novotel Dubai World Trade Centre. Part of the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre, the hotel is only minutes from Dubai Mall, the Dubai International Finance Centre, Bur Dubai, Deira, and many other points of interest. Enjoy scheduled complimentary shuttles to major shopping malls. The World Trade Centre Metro station is on our doorstep, and the airport is just a 10 minute drive away.

Check in to 4-star comfort right at the Novotel World Trade Centre Dubai hotel. Your airy contemporary room gives you space to spread out and work or relax with the skyline views. Start the day fresh with a dip in the pool and a buffet breakfast off the trendy lobby, and wind it up with live jazz at Blue Bar at Novotel.

For reservations:
Telephone:+971 4 3320000
www.novotel.com

Ibis

The ibis Dubai World Trade Centre Hotel is part of the Dubai World Trade Centre complex. Located off Sheikh Zayed Road and next to World Trade Centre Metro Station, the hotel enjoys direct links to both the airport and Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. ibis Dubai World Trade Centre hotel offers complimentary shuttles to Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Mall and other major malls, and is also well connected for sightseeing trips to historic Bur Dubai.

The ibis World Trade Centre Dubai hotel, conveniently located in the heart of the business district, is just a few minutes away from world-class shopping malls, beaches and nightspots. For business travellers, the hotel is directly linked to the airport, International Exhibition Centre and Convention Centre.

For reservations:
Telephone:+971 4 3324444
www.ibishotels.com

The Apartments

Centrally situated with a welcoming atmosphere, The Apartments Dubai World Trade Center allows visitors to make the most of their visit to Dubai.

Available in superior, one, two and three-bedrooms, these serviced apartments are comfortably furnished and can be leased on daily and monthly or even yearly basis. The Apartments offer access to The Club with a wide selection of indoor and outdoor recreation facilities including a swimming pool, kid�s play area and kid�s pool, tennis court, gymnasium, steam and sauna rooms and the region�s highest outdoor wall climbing facility. Its dining options comprise a multi-cuisine restaurant, a relaxing lounge and al fresco dining at the Pool Bar. Trade Center Plaza with a wide array of restaurants and cafes is only a short walk away.

For reservations:
Telephone: +971 4 3314555
[email protected]
www.theapartments.ae

By Metro - Highly recommend!

The Dubai Metro�s red line �World Trade Centre Station� serves the exhibition centre.

The Metro enables you to avoid traffic congestion and arrive to DWTC in a timely fashion. The route connects the exhibition centre with Dubai International Aiport and all major stops throughout the city.

METRO OPERATIONS HOURS

• Sunday � Wednesday 5:50am - 00:00am
• Thursday 5:50am - 01:00am
• Friday 1:00pm - 01:00am

Check the guide to plan your Metro trip

By Bus

The closest stop is the Novotel Hotel stop outside the Convention Gate entrance at Dubai World Trade Centre. You can use purchase the ticket (NOL card) at any metro station and select bus stops.

To view the route map and for more information, visit the RTA website or call 800 90 90.

By Taxi

To book a taxi from any pick up point of your choice call 04 208 0808 (24hrs, operated in Arabic and English).

At the Exhibition Venue, there are 2 taxi drop-offs: opposite Ibis Hotel and in front of Zabeel Hall entrance. Taxi pick-up point is located opposite Ibis Hotel.

All RTA taxis are metered at the same rate, with the exception of the �pink� ladies-only cabs for which there is a small surcharge.

By Car

Rental cars are available from car rental companies for visitors with an international driving license. Driving in the UAE is on the right-hand side.

If you are coming with your own car, you have several options parking:

CAR PARK � PAID

Locations

• Exhibition Street Multi-storey Carpark, next to Novotel
• Happiness Street Multi-storey Carpark, opposite Novotel
• Sheikh Rashid Tower Multi-storey Carpark, next Trade Centre Arena
• Exhibition Plaza Self-Parking: Located opposite IBIS and Exhibition Gate.

Charges
Parking fee is AED 15 for the 1st hour and AED 10 for every additional hour. 24/7 operation.

Payment
Through the Payment Machines located next to the exit of every parking area OR manually through the parking cash counters.

Parking Terms
Vehicles are not permitted to park overnight. Any vehicle left overnight
will incur a charge of AED210 daily. The waiting period between payment and departure is 15 minutes only. Lost parking tokens are charged at AED 150.

CAR PARK � FREE

TO accomodate the influx in exhibitor and visitors coming to the Dubai World Trade Centre, additional parking spaces are available opposite Novotel Hotel at Happiness Street Parking Overflow A and B.

By Careem

Careem - UAE�s favorite car booking app
You can easily book a cab at your convenience, all you need to do is:

• Download the Careem app
• Enter either, drop off or pick up location as Dubai World Trade Centre
• Promo Code - Gulfood2020
• Discount - 25% off 6 rides; maximum discount per ride is AED 25
• Valid from 3-5 November 2020

Find your way through Google Maps