Gulfood 2023, the largest annual food and beverage sourcing event in the world, looks set to have a lasting impact on the culinary identity of Dubai, by launching Dubai World Cuisine.
The new movement aims to provide a platform for UAE-based chefs to collaboratively shape the cultural identity of Dubai, and thus further establish the city as a global culinary capital.
As a result of incredible growth and market maturity, Dubai has progressed from importing the best culinary concepts from around the world, to becoming an incubator for a home-grown culinary movement capable of producing Michelin star level restaurants.
Booming culinary landscape
The city’s booming culinary landscape was recognised with the arrival of fine dining culinary guides Gault&Millau UAE, Michelin Guide Dubai and Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants.
Many chefs at the leading restaurants in Dubai are blending cuisines, styles and ingredients to create new and original concepts, reflecting the city’s unique position as a cultural melting pot. It is these chefs that the Dubai World Cuisine movement will seek to promote, starting at this year’s Gulfood and running through a series of activations over the coming years.
The Dubai World Cuisine concept will drive the agenda for celebrity chef feature Top Table this year, where the world’s best curators of award-winning dining experiences will showcase their signature dishes in the colossal new bespoke hall, Gulfood Plus, through a series of fascinating masterclasses and demonstrations.
Iconic Global Chefs
The Dubai World Cuisine initiative will see 7 iconic global chefs - 5 from Singapore, 1 from Norway and 1 from Italy - hosted in 6 restaurants in Dubai in February through afterhours fringe dinners outside of Gulfood, across the city, collaborating for one night only to present a never-seen-before menu.
Food connoisseurs can immerse themselves in a holistic culinary experience starting with engaging masterclasses by the chefs during the show and end the evening with unique 4 hands tasting menus created by the chefs.
A key element of the Dubai World Cuisine movement will be the partnering of Dubai chefs with their peers from other international culinary hotspots, with a focus on Michelin-starred chefs from Singapore.
With a multicultural culinary scene where chefs from all over the world come for the first time, face similar challenges and are given the platform to develop and promote their own cuisines, Singapore was a natural partner for the inaugural year of Dubai World Cuisine.
Kim Joinié-Maurin
The first dinner will see Kim Joinié-Maurin, Head Chef at Dubai's French Riviera Beach at Jumeirah Al Qasr, cook with Michelin Guide Singapore’s ‘Young Chef Award 2022’ winner Louis Han, Chef Founder of NAE:UM Singapore, and present the perfect harmony of modern French cuisine with Korean heritage flavours.
The second dinner will pair Giovanni Papi from one-Michelin star restaurant Armani Ristorante with Michael Wilson of one-Michelin star restaurant Marguerite, known for spearheading a new culinary movement that’s overtaking Singapore’s fine-dining scene.
An unconventional dessert experience will meet Michelin-starred Basque cuisine in the third dinner, which will feature Carmen Rueda of Brix Desserts and Aitor Jeronimo Orive of Basque Kitchen by Aitor, Singapore's first Basque-centric restaurant celebrating the country's indigenous culture and produce. Aitor Orive has had an illustrious career at some of the world’s greatest dining destinations, including Three Michelin-starred ‘The Fat Duck’, Two Michelin-starred ‘Mugaritz’, One Michelin-starred ‘Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao’ and the acclaimed ‘Iggy’s’.
Saverio Sbaragli
The fourth dinner will see Saverio Sbaragli of Dubai's one-Michelin-starred restaurant Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab, reinvent Neo-Italian cuisine along with Daniele Sperindio of Art in Singapore, acclaimed for introducing ‘Conversational Cuisine’, and presenting exquisitely plated signature dishes that are deeply rooted in poetry and art.
The fifth dinner will present an exceptional Michelin-starred experience presented by the Michelin Guide’s ‘Best Chef of the Year 2022’ Gregoire Berger of famed Ossiano at Atlantis, and Esben Holmboe Bang, Head Chef and co-owner of Norway's ground-breaking three Michelin-starred restaurant, Maaemo. One of the youngest chefs to be awarded not only 3 Michelin stars but also a green Michelin star for his commitment to using fresh ingredients innovatively, Esben Holmboe Bang is one of the most anticipated culinary figures making his way to Dubai this year.
The sixth dinner will pair Bojan Cirjanic, Executive Chef, at Folly with Andrew Walsh, Chef and Owner of Cure in Singapore, who pioneered the ‘bistronomy’ concept at Cure, making it one of the top dining spots in Singapore.
Heinz Beck
The dinners will culminate on February 24 with acclaimed 3 Michelin-star chef Heinz Beck presenting a unique culinary experience with Saverio Sbaragli, at Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab.
Sbargali commented: “I look forward to showcasing an exceptional menu to our guests at not one, but two 4 hands dining experiences, with fellow acclaimed chefs Daniele Sperindio and Heinz Beck, both to be hosted at Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The Dubai World Cuisine platform gives chefs a unique opportunity to collaborate, bring the best of our talents to the table and give guests a once in a lifetime dining experience.”
Speaking about the initiative, Han said: “I am excited to collaborate with Chef Kim and can't wait to showcase Korean heritage flavours on an international stage. Having started my career in Abu Dhabi, Gulfood has given me the chance to return to my beginnings. This is the perfect chance for me to learn from international renowned chefs and stimulate our creativity through inspired exchanges.”
Star-studded
The star-studded line up of chefs can be seen up close and personal in engaging masterclasses at Top Table, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from February 20 to 24. The 28th edition of Gulfood will also feature Chef Talks, offering insights from global chefs, food editors and influencers from around the culinary world.
Berger commented: “Top Table will be the perfect opportunity to showcase Ossiano’s vision, mindset and artistry. Our dish “a moment of celebration” retraces memories and tales through food … get prepared for a creation like no other.”
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