Meet the Taste of Dubai chefs

Yiannis Baxevanis 46; Elia Greek Restaurant, Majestic Hotel, Dubai.

Who: To a Greek audience, top name chef Yiannis Baxevanis needs no introduction. His vision is for Greek products and Greek cuisine to assume their rightful position on the world's gastronomical map.

Style of food: Creative contemporary Greek.

What is your must-have ingredient in the kitchen?

Pure Greek olive oil. It elevates any dish and has a plethora of health-boosting properties.

Why should we visit your station at Taste of Dubai?

To explore the future trend in the UAE: the Greek way of eating. That means healthy meals cooked with organic ingredients to be enjoyed with friends and family.

What is hot in the food world for 2010?

The new adjustment in value for money. I think that it's time to enhance satisfaction rising from fine and fresh but inexpensive ingredients.

What's the best tip you can give a wannabe chef?

Work, work, work. Oh and did I mention work?

Which celebrity or celebrities would you most like to have dinner with?

Plato, the Greek philosopher.

Giorgio Locatelli, 45; Ronda Locatelli

Style of food: Italian

What is your must-have ingredient in the kitchen?

Sicilian olive oil

Why should we visit your station at Taste of Dubai?

Because I'm doing live demonstrations with lots of hands on stuff.

What is hot in the food world for 2010?

Anything that comes out of the oven is hot.

What's the best tip you can give a wannabe chef?

Try to work for an inspiring chef.

Which celebrity or celebrities would you most like to have dinner with?

I think dinners are intimate occasion to share with my family. When there is a celebrity at the table, I'm the one who's cooking dinner.

Scott Price, 29; Verre by Gordon Ramsay

Who: English-born Scott Price began his culinary career working in the Lake District — an experience he believes proved pivotal in igniting his passion for cooking and appreciation of fresh ingredients.

His first big break came in 2003, when he was hand-picked by Ramsay's recruiting team. He is now the head chef at Verre in Dubai.

Style of food: Modern European.

What is your must-have ingredient in the kitchen?

Salt — you miss it if it's gone. And on a more serious note, fresh almonds are great to have around, they work well for all sorts of dishes.

Why should we visit your station at Taste of Dubai?

We will be presenting three of our new signature dishes from our brand-new menu at newly re-opened Verre. As you can imagine, it's a very exciting time for the restaurant. I can't wait to get out there and meet the foodies of Dubai.

What is hot in the food world for 2010?

I think interactive dining is quite a buzz-word. We intend to provide patrons with a richer, more personalised Verre experience through new additions, such as a chef's table and a private dining room.

What's the best tip you can give a wannabe chef?

Be prepared to work very hard, and absorb as much as you can at a young age.

Which celebrity or celebrities would you most like to have dinner with?

It would be a table of my favourites, including Eric Cantona, Noel Gallagher, Sir Alex Ferguson and Gordon Ramsay.

James Martin

Style: Good old-fashioned British cooking.

What is your must-have ingredient in the kitchen?

Butter — I love pastries, so it’s vital. But it’s also great for sauces. It’s so versatile.

Why should we visit your station at Taste of Dubai?

Because I’m not here very often and the demonstrations will be inspiring.

What is hot in the food world for 2010?

Japanese is the way forward. The country now has the most Michelin-star restaurants in the world. They are leading the way.

What’s the best tip you can give a wannabe chef?

My mum always said you get “nowt for nowt” in this world. Work hard.

Which celebrity or celebrities would you most like to have dinner with?

A bunch of celebrity chefs would be great. Although we’d argue over who would cook, so it would probably be over beer and Pringles.

Uwe Micheel, 51; Minato, The China Club, Sumibiya

Who: His career was set when he was 12 years old, always helping his mother in the kitchen, and attending cooking classes at that time designed for young girls only.

Style of food: Traditional Japanese, Chinese, Japanese–Korean BBQ

What is your must-have ingredient in the kitchen?

Passion.

Why should we visit your station at Taste of Dubai?

To have great food and meet my team, the best in Dubai.

What is hot in the food world for 2010?

Back to basic, good, wholesome, fresh food, good value for money portions.

What’s the best tip you can give a wannabe chef?

Make sure you enjoy cooking. Don’t do it to become a “chef”, as it’s not just a job.

Which celebrity or celebrities would you most like to have dinner with?

My family are my celebrities, because they are with me and have supported me all my life. But I guess we wouldn’t mind if Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel came along.

Richard Sandoval 43; Maya, Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai

Style of food: Modern Mexican

What is your must-have ingredient in the kitchen?

Chillies.

Why should we visit your station at Taste of Dubai?

So you can get a taste of real Mexican food.

What is hot in the food world for 2010?

Small plates to share.

What’s the best tip you can give a wannabe chef?

Be passionate about cooking.

Which celebrity or celebrities would you most like to have dinner with?

Shakira and John McEnroe.

The restaurants

This year's fabulous restaurant line-up offers an extensive variety of cuisine and boasts some of the hottest new additions to the event. n Almaz by Momon Awtarn Certon Elian Indegon iZn Magnolian Mayan Minaton Momotaron Rhodes Mezzaninen Rivington Grilln Ruth's Chris Steakhousen Sezzamn Sumibiyan The China Clubn The Wharfn Zheng He's

The dishes

A constant flow of dishes will be cooked to suit every guest's palate. To give you a sneak preview (and get the taste buds going) just one of the menus on offer is below.Starters include Rhodes Mezzanine's famed white tomato soup to seared scallops from The Wharf, followed by entrees such as lamb tagine from Almaz by Momo and The China Club's Beijing duck. For dessert, visitors can indulge in sticky toffee pudding from Rivington Grill or if they're looking for something lighter — Zheng He's chilled lemongrass jelly.

Drink

Visitors can enjoy a selection of delightful mocktails created by expert mixologists in the Blu Water Lounge, using Blu's array of flavoured waters. Only soft beverages will be served at the Friday afternoon session of Taste of Dubai.

Tickets

The official currency of Taste of Dubai is Dellas, and are used to buy dishes from the restaurants and beverages at the festival. Tickets are priced Dh90 for standard entry (children under 12 are free), Dh150 for premium, which includes Dh100 worth of Dellas, and Dh225 for VIP, which includes Dh150 worth of Dellas, the chance to meet the chefs and fasttrack entry.Tickets are on sale at tasteofdubaifestival.com

Timings

Today: 7-11.30pm
Tomorrow: 7-11.30pm
Friday: Noon - 5pm and 7-11.30pmSaturday: Noon - 5pm and 7-11.30pm