One of our favourite months in the calendar is here. We wanted to celebrate, so we spoke to some German chefs to find out more about the culinary delights we will be able enjoy around the city this Oktoberfest.
Daniel Brooker, executive chef, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
It’s Daniel’s fifth Oktoberfest in the Middle East, he’s already won gold for the UAE in Germany’s culinary Olympics and taken time out to explore the local cuisine. Daniel will be the chef in charge of Du Forum and Crowne Plaza’s Oktoberfest cuisine on October 10 and 11.
What’s your favourite German dish to cook? And to eat?
A nice juicy wurst (sausage), don’t ask what kind as I really like them all. Preferably accompanied by rich, creamy mashed potato, sauerkraut, fried onions and plenty of senf (hot mustard).
What are some of the traits that make German food what it is?
Hearty, solid, flavourful and always well seasoned.
Is cooking German food more enjoyable than other cuisines?
Cooking is fun no matter what I might be making, that’s why I became a chef in the first place. Cooking any and all cuisines is my life’s passion and I thoroughly enjoy it.
Ingo Stoneberg, Vasco’s, Hilton Abu Dhabi
New kid on the block, chef Ingo is the Hilton’s newest food wizard. He is a native German, German-trained and son of a restaurateur, so it’s safe to say that he knows his wurst!
‘I started my training in culinary arts in Germany, but my real skills in the kitchen came from my father who at a young age taught me everything he knew. He also loved cooking and that’s what motivated him to eventually open his own restaurant. Right from the beginning my destiny was set.’
What’s your favourite German dish to cook?
I have so many but my favourite German dish to cook is a potato salad. It’s a great quick dish, and ideal for a snack or as a compliment to a main meal.
And to eat?
I enjoy bread dumplings and braised red cabbage. This is some of the tastiest German cuisine, and will be available at our Oktoberfest celebrations!
What are some of the traits that make German food what it is?
Natural and organic ingredients are popular in Germany. The simple ingredients are the best, nothing is exotic or spicy which means that the food retains its natural taste.
Kevin Pohl, Brauhaus, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
German educated and working in German restaurants for years; Kevin is the chef de cuisine at the only German restaurant in town.
‘I came to the Middle East in 2004, working as a chef de partie in Dubai, and have worked my way up through different cuisines. I have worked in Muscat, Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi with various five-star hotels before I decided to join Beach Rotana.’
What’s your favourite German dish to cook? And to eat?
The wide variety of flavours in the many different kind of sausages makes them my all time favourite.
Will you be celebrating Oktoberfest?
Being the only German restaurant in Abu Dhabi, Oktoberfest is the highlight of our calendar each year and we promise a truly authentic Oktoberfest experience for our guests. We will be celebrating Oktoberfest at Brauhaus from October 2-11 with the best of Bavarian delicacies, traditional Oktoberfest games and lively entertainment by the Die Lustigen 3 band.
How receptive is the Abu Dhabi community to German cuisine?
The demand for German food and beverages is huge, and you can see this very clearly almost every night at Brauhaus and particularly over the weekends. In the cooler months, and during festivals such as Springfest and Oktoberfest, we add numerous seats to the courtyard of the hotel in order to accommodate more guests.
