With a promise to cater to all appetites and gastronomical desires, the sixth Abu Dhabi Gourmet has finally kicked off bringing together international masterchefs and the capital’s finest food and beverage providers.
Mark your calendars; we’ve got this year’s top events covered.
Gala opening (February 4)
Abu Dhabi Gourmet kicks off with a bang on Tuesday night with hundreds of food enthusiasts at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr to sample the chef creations. With more than 20 food and beverage stations by host venues and partners, the event also has live music by Sama Quartet, and Afif Jazz.
Gourmet golf experience (February 5-6)
Tee off with the experts at this special tournament where golf meets fine cuisine. The day will end with a prize presentation and dinner, which includes a gourmet barbeque and a dessert buffet. The two-day event starts on Wednesday at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, 11am-9.30pm. Tickets Dh800.
Culinary creation stage (February 7-8)
The event provides audiences with the chance to learn the recipes of top international chefs who will gather to showcase their culinary creations alongside non-stop activities. The first day will host chefs including Danny Kattar, who won last year’s Chef of the Year Award, India’s Sanjeev Kapoor, Italy’s Massimo Bottura, and South Korea’s Edward Kwon, among others.
The second day will host Emirati chef Khulood Atiq and India’s Srinath Sambandan, Italy’s Marco Sacco and the UK’s Michael Caines, among others.
Held at the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, 10am-4pm, tickets are Dh200 (one-day entry ticket) and Dh350 for both days.
Opera dinner
An operatic trio and pianist will accompany the dishes of three-Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura, at Emirates Palace’s Italian restaurant Mezzaluna at an event honouring the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Bottura is from the kitchen of Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy — named in the top five of the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards since 2010. The singers will perform two half-hour sets of Italian opera pieces. Dh1,500 per person.
Cook and lunch with George Calombaris (February 15)
If you were salivating as you watched reality cooking series Masterchef Australia, we reckon you will love this event which sees one of the judges, George Calombaris, cooking a special dinner for 24 guests. The event is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with Calombaris, who will teach guests three of his modern Greek-Australian recipes. At Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa By Anantara, 10am-2pm. Tickets Dh600.
Gastronomic dinner with Gary Rhodes (February 15)
The UK chef is one of the biggest names in the culinary world, and he runs three restaurants in the UAE; Mezzanine and Rhodes Twenty10 at Dubai’s Grosvenor House and Le Royal Meridien hotels respectively, and Rhodes44 at the St Regis Abu Dhabi — the venue for his cooking experience, where he will prepare a seven-course menu. 7-11pm, Dh850.
Cook and lunch with Khulood Atiq (February 16)
The UAE’s only female celebrity chef is known for her modern take on Emirati cuisine. Try her creations at this one-off masterclass at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa By Anantara, 10am-2pm; Dh300.
Celebrity dinner with George Calombaris (February 16)
If you missed the Australian chef the first time around, you can sample his food at this event where he will prepare a five-course menu at this one-night only dinner at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, 7-11pm; Dh950.
Awards gala dinner (February 19)
The much-anticipated dinner will mark the end of Abu Dhabi Gourmet, and honour local talent and restaurants for their service at the St Regis Abu Dhabi, 7-11pm; Dh800 per person, and Dh6,400 for a table of 10 seats.
Other chefs not to miss include:
Christophe Muller (of the three-Michelin-starred L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, and a protege of Paul Bocuse) cooks at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche’s La Mer on February 10-13, offering a five-course lunch menu and seven-course dinner menu with the famous truffle soup V.G.E.
Edward Kwon Park (formerly Head Hotel Chef at the Burj Al Arab, and owner of two restaurants in South Korea, The Mixed One and Lab XXIV), at Park Rotana’s Teato from February 5-8, presenting an eight-course menu including galbi deop bap (grilled soy beef rib-eye with rice kimchi chutney, onion and chive salad and garlic chip).
Cyril Lignac at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Nautilus, February 10-13, for a culinary demonstration and lunch (Dh400), and three-course daily evening menu. Call 02-6560600.
Bart De Pooter (of two-Michelin starred Pastorale) at The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort’s 55&5th, The Grill, cooking a five-course and seven-course meat-focused menu on February 15-18 (master patissier Fabrice David, of The Ecole Valrhona Tokyo, makes sweets in Sucre and The Drawing Room on February 5 -8). Call 02-4988008.
Henrick Yde-Andersen (owner of six Thai restaurants in Denmark) from February 5-8 at Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara’s Pachaylen, cooking a set menu for Dh450, including Kiin Kiin — frozen red curry with lobster salad; call 02-6561000.
Fabio Pisani (of Milan’s two-Michelin-starred Il Luogo, at Bocca, Hilton Abu Dhabi, February 15-18.
Christopher Kostow (of The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, California) cooks at The Forge steakhouse, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi on February 5-8 cooking modern American cuisine including camel bacon served with rye porridge, seaweed and Brassica mustard; call 02-8188282.
