Alserkal Avenue, the arts district in Dubai's Al Quoz Industrial Area 1, is hosting the fifth edition of What The Food festival this Saturday and Sunday, October 31 and November 1. Entry is free.

This year's edition is themed around Khubz wa Milh — Arabic for "bread and salt" — a traditional regional gesture symbolising welcome and hospitality. The weekend programme brings together chefs, thinkers, artists and food lovers through talks, workshops, masterclasses, tastings, art installations and film screenings.

Saturday's opening keynote, titled "When Food Becomes a Lifeline," will be delivered by Aline Kamakian, the Lebanese-Armenian restaurateur behind the acclaimed Beirut restaurant Mayrig, exploring the connections between food, cultural preservation and community support. A separate talk by Nazek Al Sabbagh of Malleh Gourmet will focus on maleh, the traditional Emirati salted fish.

Ahead of the main festival dates, Alserkal Avenue had already hosted preliminary "Off The Menu" sessions at the venue to bring chefs and food entrepreneurs together. Organisers say the full line-up of individual sessions is still being finalised and will continue to be rolled out.

The festival reinforces Alserkal Avenue's growing identity beyond its established role as a hub for contemporary art in Dubai, cementing its place as a venue for cultural and culinary gatherings as well.