A feast fit for a king

For the 10th year, Jebel Ali International Hotels will prepare a grand spread at the Dubai World Cup

With a shopping list that reads half a ton of meat, poultry, fish and seafood, 2,000 beverage bottles, about 300 kilos of sweets and an additional 300 kilos of a variety of eatables, you have the makings of one big party.

And when you flavour this with glitz, glamour and great horses, you have the spectacular $6 million (Dh22 million) Dubai World Cup — the world's richest horse race.

On Saturday, all eyes will be trained on the tracks at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse to see some of the world's most famous jockeys and horses compete to take home the World Cup.

Beautiful women and fabulously attired men will provide the momentary distraction, but the food will be the centre of many a conversation — like it has been at every one of the past nine years.

The people responsible for this are the Jebel Ali International Hotels, the event's official caterers, and also the sponsors of the $1,000,000 Godolphin Mile.

Stephane Duvacher, culinary and food and beverage director, Jebel Ali International Hotels, says, "We have been involved with the Dubai World Cup since its inception, and this year Jebel Ali Hotels is proud to celebrate its 10th year as official caterer for the world's richest horse race."

The task of managing hundreds of VIPs and racing enthusiasts will move seamlessly.

About 70 chefs, 190 service staff and 60 other professionals will work in tandem under the supervision of the group's culinary and food and beverage director, the event and banquet manager, the executive chef and banquet operations manager.

A menu that replicates the success of the past World Cups would require a mix of innovative creations sharing the table with timeless classics to suit the tastes and preferences of the guests.

"The previous World Cup menus were all very successful, so other than adding a few surprises here and there, the menu will be along the same lines.

"We will be catering in a variety of different venues at Nad Al Sheba, and each venue's menu will be accentuated with something special in a different way," Duvacher says.

In addition to catering for 800 people at the Al Dana Hospitality Marquee, Jebel Ali International Hotels will also provide catering services for the individual corporate chalets, which host approximately 1,000 guests, and also service the marquees at the Oasis Village.

And for the very first time, says Duvacher, "Guests at the Dubai World Cup will also be able to enjoy the excitement of racing in a private garden setting next to the track at Rails Restaurant, the brand new open-air dining facility operated by Jebel Ali International Hotels.

"Rails Restaurant will allow guests to enjoy the delights of afternoon tea and table d'hôte dinner. Therefore, our aim will be to have the menu, occasion and venue complement each other in the best possible way."

Delicacies to tempt refined palates will include fragrant black truffles, goose liver and Fine De Claire lobsters.

Sweet water scampi, oak wood smoked salmon and an extensive selection of sushi and sashimi will delight seafood lovers, not to mention the Delicatessen Ballotine and Pheasant Supreme stuffed with truffles, mini pears and hazelnuts, which promise to tempt food lovers.

"We will certainly add some excitement to the set-up and presentation as well — this year's centrepiece in the Al Dhana Marquee for example, will feature a life-size carousel on a rotating platform," Duvacher says.