Etihad Airways is this week flying renowned Australian chefs, Nelly Robinson of Sydney's nel. restaurant and Scott Bridger of Perth's Bib & Tucker and May Street Larder, to Abu Dhabi to compete in Taste the World, a special event in the Taste of Abu Dhabi program from 10-12 November.

The pair are among 10 world-class chefs competing to reveal who best epitomises Etihad Airways' signature food philosophy, which delivers remarkable culinary experiences, on the ground and in the air, using innovative techniques and the creative use of ingredients. 

Joining Robinson and Bridger in the culinary lineup are Pascal Aussignac (Club Gascon, London), Andre Gerrits (Amsterdammertje, Amsterdam), Michael Hunter (Antler Restaurant, Toronto), Andrea Provenzani (Il Liberty, Milan), Vitaly Tikhonov (G.Graf, Moscow), Siu Hin Chi (Duddell's, Hong Kong), Sylvestre Wahid (Restaurant Sylvestre, Paris), and Francesco Apreda (Imàgo, Rome). Each was chosen to compete in Taste the World at Taste Festivals held in their home city during 2016.

For the Taste the World competition, a dish specially created by each of the 10 chefs will be judged by an independent panel comprising an Etihad Airways Inflight Chef, a representative of Taste Festivals, and a world-renowned food influencer.

Visitors to Taste of Abu Dhabi will also have the opportunity to watch the chefs create dishes that bring to life the airline's culinary vision in a special Etihad Chefs' Theatre.

Patrick Pierce, Etihad Airways' Vice President Sponsorship, said: “We are proud to welcome these gifted chefs to our home during Taste of Abu Dhabi. All of them have demonstrated innovative cooking techniques to create truly remarkable dishes. Watching them compete against each other in the final of Taste the World will be an exciting occasion for the chefs and our attending guests.

“We draw inspiration from the finest restaurants and emerging chefs from the world's major culinary capitals, serving inspired dining both on the ground and in the air, and doing it with the style and sophistication that has become synonymous with the Etihad Airways brand.”

Justin Clarke, Director of Taste Festivals Ltd, said: “It has been an incredible year hosting Etihad Airways at 15 Taste Festivals around the world.  Hosting the 'Taste the World' finals at 'Taste of Abu Dhabi' will be an exciting culmination for our inspirational chefs. Etihad Airways' commitment to being the leading culinary airline is a great fit with Taste Festivals and we look forward to communicating their service offering and to inspiring future innovation across the culinary world.”

Etihad Airways is the global airline partner of 15 Taste Festivals worldwide. Its three-year agreement with Taste Festivals Limited, signed in 2016, is a central pillar of its global sponsorship strategy aimed at establishing the airline as an aspirational lifestyle brand. The partnership with Taste Festivals kicked off in March this year with events in Dubai, Sydney and Hong Kong and culminates this month with Taste of Abu Dhabi. The airline will also participate in Taste of Melbourne which takes place in the city's Albert Park from 10-13 November.

Etihad Airways currently employs 235 Inflight Chefs and 495 Food and Beverage Managers, who, together with its multinational cabin crew and Flying Nannies, provide the service and hospitality for which the airline is world-renowned.

Images of the two Australian chefs are attached and others can be downloaded at https://we.tl/GsxgQDHGS2

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About Etihad Aviation Group

Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising four business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.

From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. For more information, please visit: etihad.com

For more information

Stephen Mahoney, Etihad Airways Corporate Communications

Mobile: +61 (0)488 125 538

Email: smahoney@etihad.ae