Apéritif à la française returns to Dubai on 19 November, offering Dubai residents a taste of France.
Taking place from 12pm – 10pm at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Amphitheatre and Gardens, the event will feature a range of French food and beverage products, cooking stations, live entertainment, French boules and a series of fun challenges.
Edwina Salvatori, account director of event organiser, SOPEXA Middle East, commented: “Apéritif à la française is everything you would expect and more from an event of this name. We’re once again expecting more than 3,000 visitors to browse our expanded line-up of exhibitors and brands showcasing the crème de la crème of French exports. We’re a family event so above all else we want everyone to have fun, or as we say in France, ‘amusez-vous bien’.”
French produce from well-known brands will feature, including mini cheese soufflés by Payson Breton, the dairy specialist from Brittany; Tautes Tatin, by French apple exporter Blue Whale; artisan jams by Lucien Georgelin; and amuse bouche by mustard and vinegar producers, Maille.
Pastries and sweets from Dalloyau, French Bakery and La Patisserie des Reves plus TooGood, the healthy snack alternative, will be there on the day, highlighting their products.
A series of live food stations serving up French specialties including cheese platters, oysters, cold cuts and a BBQ, paired with a selection of hops and grape will also be available.
Fun challenges include the Maille blind taste test, a Crêpe Championship and the Vittel obstacle course. Meanwhile, Perrier will host a mixology challenge, whereby visitors recreate a cocktail they have just tasted.
Pétanque (French boules) on the beach, live music and make-up and skincare demonstrations by Yves Rocher will keep the French festivities going.
For younger guests, the Decathlon kids’ corner features table tennis, soft archery, football and badminton.
Organised by SOPEXA, the International Food & Lifestyle Marketing Group, and supported by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Apéritif à la Française aims to recreate the French lifestyle for international audiences while raising awareness of the diversity of French products.
Launched in 2004, Apéritif à la Française takes place in five locations around the world: Tokyo, Copenhagen, Montreal, Hong Kong and Dubai.
