The fifth edition of the Al Dhafra Date Festival witnessed a vibrant celebration of local agriculture and culinary art, culminating in the announcement of winners in various competitions. The festival, held in the city of Zayed in the Al Dhafra region, is organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and is set to continue until 25 October. The highlight of the event was the recognition of remarkable talent in the fields of date cultivation and packaging.
Championing Local Dates
In a display of expertise and passion for date farming, Rashid Abdullah Hadhah Abdullah Al Marar secured the top spot in the Elite Dates competition. His achievements were acknowledged by His Excellency Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, the Acting Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, during an award ceremony held on the festival’s opening day.
Recognising Excellence in Packaging
In addition to the success in date cultivation, Dana Isa Faris Al Mazrouei emerged victorious in the packaging competition for dates without additives. Her well-deserved recognition, along with the rest of the winners, encapsulated the festival’s commitment to promoting local products and innovation.
Honourable Mentions
The excitement was palpable as other competitors also earned accolades: Khalifa Suhail Ali Rabee Al Mazrouei claimed second place in the Elite Dates contest, with the heirs of Ali Mubarak Sultan Al Aryani securing third place. In the packaging category, Fatima Khalifa Dhabib Al Shamsi took home the second prize, while Al Yazia Abdullah Khalifa Al Mehairi completed the top three.
Significant Prize Pool
The festival featured a generous prize pool, totalling 630,000 Dirhams for the Elite Dates competition, with the first prize winner receiving 150,000 Dirhams, the second 125,000 Dirhams, and the third 100,000 Dirhams. For the packaging competition, a total of 215,000 Dirhams was awarded, with 50,000 Dirhams for the first prize, 40,000 Dirhams for second, and 30,000 Dirhams for the third place.
Focus on Quality and Innovation
The Elite Dates competition not only highlighted the variety and quality of local date types but also recognised the farmers’ skills in nurturing these products. Meanwhile, the packaging competition aimed to enhance the presentation and marketing of dates, emphasizing design quality, product safety, and ease of use, ultimately supporting local producers and entrepreneurs.
International Cooking Competition
The event also included an international cooking competition featuring dates, date products, and olive oil. Rashid Khaim Al Ramithi, the festival director, along with Chef Mona Al Mansouri, who supervised and judged the cooking competition, announced the winners, further showcasing the culinary ingenuity emerging from the region.
Participatory Spirit
Highlighting the festival’s popularity, 16 competitors brought forward a collective 800 kilograms of “Bumaan Dates,” while 56 participants contributed 112 kilograms of Samar Honey in the local category. The festival also received entries for an open competition in date paste and liquid honey, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for this traditional culinary staple.