Life & Style | Food
A taste of magic
Eight world-class chefs will be live cooking special menus at the Festival of Taste heading this way, which is sure to get your appetite going
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:32 November 5, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- The creations at the festival will surely tantalise your taste buds
With eight world-class chefs, live cooking and special menus, the Festival of Taste heading this way will get your appetite going
The creme de la creme of cuisine will be served here during the Festival of Taste, the annual week-long celebration of exceptional culinary talent.
Epicureans from across the emirates will have the opportunity to sample dishes, attend master classes and witness live cooking demonstrations by some of the best chefs from around the world.
The festival, organised by the hospitality group Jumeirah, will feature eight celebrity chefs and top restaurateurs, including Michel Roux, Brian Turner, the larger than life Ainsley Harriott and Jean-Christophe Novelli.
The stars will be serving their select menus at different restaurants suited to their style between November 9 and 13. The major event will include support from around 1,500 Jumeirah chefs and more than 1,500 staff.
Turner ready to tuck into Dubai
Brian Turner, one of Britain's most successful and well-known chefs, was relaxing with a glass of his favourite tipple in the south of France as he spoke to tabloid! about his expectations of the Festival of Taste.
"Meeting people is the best part of the festival for me. You get to meet people from all over the world, which is always such a pleasure."
Turner has trained at some of the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in Europe and, following two years at Simpson's in the Strand with Richard Shepherd, (now the owner of Langan's Brasserie), he followed Richard to The Savoy Grill where he worked under Louis Virot.
With years of experience, Turner — who has visited Dubai on more than one occasion — says the city is a "melting pot for foodies".
"I got interested in food because of the good old fashioned burger. My father ran a truckers' cafe on the outskirts of London and I spent my days watching the lorry drivers come in and order breakfast butties and burgers.
"Fine cuisine was something I learnt, but my childhood taught me alot about food and service. I would help my dad dish out orders and loved every second."
In 1986, Turner opened his own restaurant — Turner's — in Walton street, Knightsbridge, which immediately attracted a regular clientele of local residents as well as a devoted international following who appreciated the degree of personal attention to both food, service and customers.
The chairman of the Academy of Culinary Arts for 11 years, he is also the chairman of the UK Hospitality Skills Board. Turner has also been awarded an honorary professorship by the Thames Valley University, because of his work and commitment to the London School of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure, as well as his contribution to catering education in general.
In June 2002 in the Queen's Birthday Honours list Turner was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for his services to tourism and training in the catering industry and in November 2002 Turner made a visit to the Palace to receive his gong.
"I have cooked for some of the greats, including Sir Cliff Richard and members of the royal family.
"I wouldn't say you get nervous when cooking for these people, because when you can cook, you can cook. And you just have to make sure you pull it all together at the right time. But it was an honour, all the same."
And some Roux for dessert
Often credited with revolutionising the British food scene, Michel Roux has been a source of inspiration for young chefs throughout the world, particularly in the UK where he has made a name for himself in a quest to rescue the British palate from "fluorescent peas and bleached white bread".
Having received more than 40 awards, distinctions and prizes for his culinary creations, including prestigious accolades such as the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (1976) and the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (2006), Roux says he knows this year's Festival of Taste will be bigger and better than ever before.
"It will be wonderful to meet with the people of the Middle East and talk and taste delights."
Born in Charolles in Saône et Loire, France, the seeds to Roux's illustrious career were planted after the war when his family moved to the outskirts of Paris and set up a charcuterie.
However, in a break from family tradition, Michel, along with his older brother Albert, took to patisserie instead. Aged 14, Michel apprenticed as a pastry chef at Patisserie Loyal in Belleville.
"We worked 70 hours a week, and there was no machinery. Even the vanilla ice cream was churned by hand."
Now commissioned to help plan, design and launch a new restaurant on board the cruise liner the Queen Elizabeth II, which will eventually be docked at the Jumeirah Palm Island, Roux recalls his days cooking on ships.
"It is such a different environment to cook in and that is why I was very keen to help with the QE2. I have more than 16 years experience working on cruise ships and have travelled the world. It is challenging, but also a lot of fun."
While Roux is not particularly enamoured with the TV cooking show phenomenon that has taken the UK — and the rest of the world — by storm, he has collected a respectable appearance history including a successful 13 week cookery programme on BBC2 as well as participating on This Morning, Masterchef, and on the UK's most listened to breakfast radio programme, Terry Wogan, on BBC Radio 2.
He has also appeared on national television and radio in France, Australia, South Africa and the USA, where he made a couple of guest appearances on The Martha Stewart Show.
His distinctive career has included many diverse projects including a 25-year project leading a team of culinary consultants on a regular basis for British Airways In Flight Catering.
"The Festival of Taste is certain to be lots of fun and i'm sure we will all have a few surprises up our sleeves."
Events
Nov 9, 7.30pm
All in Good Taste at Al Qasr with all the chefs.
Nov 10, 12noon
Bon Voyage et Bon Appetit at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel Marina with Jean-Christophe Novelli, Brian Turner, Cyrus Todiwala & Michel Roux
Nov 10, 7:30pm
Rhythm & Basil at Jambase, Madinat Jumeirah with James Martin
Nov 10, 7 :30pm
Haute Heffernan at Rib Room, Jumeirah Emirates Towers with Kerry Heffernan
Nov 11, 2.00pm & 4.30pm
Perfect to a Tea at the Burj Al Arab with Sahn Eddar & James Martin
Nov 11, 7:00pm
Appetisingly Ainsley at the Emirates Academy Auditorium with Ainsley Harriott
Nov 11, 7.30pm
Michelin Magic at Vu's, Jumeirah Emirates Towers with Michel Roux
12 Nov, 7.00pm
Gourmet Gala at the Burj Al Arab with all the chefs
Nov 13, 7.30pm
Culinary Conclusions at Bab Al Shams with all the chefs
For tickets and more information, call 04-301 7781 or visit festivaloftaste.com.
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