Gourmet Abu Dhabi expands 15 day culinary festival to take in more hotels and feature ladies only classes

The 2010 event will run for 15 days from February 5-19, as opposed to the 10-day launch edition. Special themed dinners will also take in more venues than ever including the new five-star Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and the signature Yas Hotel which overlooks Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit home of the 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. And, following attendee feedback, a number of ladies' only masterclasses are being built into the programme.

The Gourmet Abu Dhabi enhancements are aimed at moving the emirate along in its campaign to be a global culinary destination which will leverage Abu Dhabi's renowned hospitality credentials.

"As we move towards the 2010 event we can include additional venues as Abu Dhabi's hospitality portfolio is expanding with the opening of new luxury hotel properties,"

said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which presents Gourmet Abu Dhabi.

"All these new hospitality players are eager to become part of an event which was the talk of Abu Dhabi long after the 2009 Michelin-star cast had left town. Food is very much a reflection of a destination's culture and in bringing together culinary experts from around the world to share and absorb knowledge, Abu Dhabi is demonstrating its capability as an empowering force for greater cross-cultural understanding," he added.