The Omnivore Food Festival returns to Shanghai this June. If you missed it last year, basically Omnivore is a relatively new French-run culinary festival that tours the globe in conjunction with various F&B/hospitality trade shows. It brings in tow a retinue of international chefs of who conduct cooking demos, collaborate with resident chefs in each city and host dinners in various local restaurants. Quite a lot of fun for the foodie set.

They've nailed down most of this year's participants. No big surprises on the Shanghai side. The line-up looks pretty much like it did last year: Franck Pécol of Franck, Scott Melvin of Table No. 1, Paul Pairet of Ultraviolet and Mr & Mrs Bund and Shanghai newcomer Mauro Colagreco of his namesake at Three on the Bund.

The roster of visitors looks particularly impressive as well:

Kiwi chef Ben Shewry has signed on. His work at Attica in Melbourne has enjoyed its fair share of accolades.

Ryan Clift of Singapore's Tippling Club is making a return visit to Shanghai as well. I saw this guy in action back in 2010 when he was here to collaborate with Adam Liston of T8 and was thoroughly impressed.

Lots of Michelin cred dots the list too. There is Carlo Mirarchi, whose Brooklyn 12-seater Blanca has generated lots of buzz -- not only for its food, but for it's impossible, ironclad reservation policy. Michelin gave the place its first star this year. If you want to learn more, here's the New York Times review from last October.

Julien Burlat will be in town. He's the chef and owner of the Michelin-starred Dôme in Antwerp.

Celebrated French molecular specialist Thierry Marx is on board. His most recent success is Sur Mesure in the Mandarin Oriental, Paris.

Finally there is Yannick Alleno, who's best known for his three stars at Le Meurice Hotel in Paris and his two stars at Le 1947 at the Cheval Blanc Hotel in the French Alps. You can see a very slick video about him here, or you can read about his haute dog in this New York Times piece from last year.

All of the above will be conducting master classes and preparing "Fucking Dinners" (Omnivore's words, not mine) around town. The festival then culminates with the "Omnivorous Party," a gala event with DJs, cocktails, and loads of canapes made by all of the chefs involved. Dates are confirmed: June 20 through the 22. Venues are still in the works.

Watch this spot as more news trickles in.