Things may hot up when he's in the kitchen, but celebrity chef Kerry Heffernan is cool, cool, cool when he loses the white hat. "I'm a salt water kind of guy and it was one of the first things which caught my eye when I arrived in Dubai."
Having already taken full advantage of the seasonal swell (if you can call it that) at Sunset Beach, Heffernan donned his board shorts and flip flops for a morning of body surfing.
"Extreme sports are the best way to keep fit and really allow a release too. I really want to go snowboarding too in the indoor slope here — I'm sure it's quite an experience."
And it didn't take long for his competitive side to make an appearance. "I'm really quite good you know," he said with a raised eyebrow.
Feeling a challenge coming on, I'm sure he purposely changed the subject.
"I think kite surfing should be next though. I saw a guy at the weekend and it looked fantastic. The options here are great."
Having grown up surfing and with a fascination with the great outdoors, it may seem odd the Pennsylvanian-born chef ever ended up in the kitchen. But, as every good story should go, it's this passion which makes the man.
"My food has always represented the colours and seasons at that time. I am influenced by what is happening in nature, which in turn inspires my dishes."
Now a guest chef at the Jumeirah Festival of Taste, which runs until tomorrow, Heffernan has found himself in a climate with little or often no seasonal change.
Unique blend
"Being in the UAE for the first time is a huge challenge when it comes to food. I am going to try and create a unique blend of seasonal ingredients and Arabic culture and heritage through food. It's all very exciting and I'm looking forward to it."
In keeping with the culinary fashion of the moment, Heffernan heads up South Gate, at the Jumeirah Essex House on Central Park South in New York, where he embraces a seasonal American menu.
This is Heffernan's official re-entry into the Manhattan dining scene after serving as the executive chef at Eleven Madison Park for seven years and where he made a name for himself in the New York restaurant scene when it opened in 1998 with Danny Meyer.
"I have achieved many things in my life, but this trip has been quite incredible. From the moment I stepped onto the A380 at JFK airport, I realised this was going to be a case of one fantastic experience after another. I felt so relaxed when I arrived and even with a busy schedule, the entire visit has been so enjoyable."
Heffernan hosted a masterclass at The Rib Room, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, on Monday night to a sold out audience, but keen to get back on the water he couldn't help but digress from sautéing to surf.
"I had a go on a surf kayak which was really cool, but ended up 'dumping' a few times because I wasn't used to the boat. I am going to try and get out again if I have time."
Due to leave on Friday, Heffernan may have to escape from the kitchen if he wants to truly quench his thirst for extreme sports in Dubai.
