The capital’s foodies start salivating over Gourmet Abu Dhabi months before the program is even announced, speculating over which celebrity chefs will be gracing the city with their presence, wondering what delicacies they’ll prepare and dreaming of all the amazing dishes they’ll get to devour. This year, many of the new hotels are getting involved with the festival, so nabbing a ticket to one of the dinners at these addresses gives you the chance to experience the just-opened culinary hotspots in town as well as putting away some spectacular grub. So here are our top picks for getting the most out of this year’s extravaganza.
The gala opening
The whole gourmet shebang traditionally kicks off with a glamorous event, with individual food stations presented by all the hosting venues. Tidbits from the menus that will be on offer during Gourmet Abu Dhabi will be there for the tasting, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the who’s who of Abu Dhabi’s fine dining scene, including the chefs themselves. This year’s bash is to be held at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa and includes a performance of Nanta, a Korean comedy-musical about three cooks who are preparing a wedding banquet. It includes acrobatics, magic tricks and audience participation, while the music itself is played on kitchen utensils such as cutting boards, water canisters and kitchen knives. Sounds like the perfect way to start an epic feasting session to us!
Dhs450 February 8, 7-10pm. The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa (02 616 9999)
The celebrity dinners
If you’ve been following George Calombaris and his culinary adventures on the latest series of MasterChef Australia over the past few months, you will be pleased to hear that he’s hosting a one-night-only celebrity dinner in Abu Dhabi this year. You’ll get the chance to sample his creations for real, and hear that inimitable voice declaring the food to be ‘Beeyoodeefull!’ The Greek-Australian chef, famous for his molecular gastronomy style of cooking, will be preparing an exclusive menu for guests at the Yas Island Rotana. It’s bound to be an indulgent night, and if George Calombaris is anything like his TV persona in real life, a raucous one too.
Dhs750 February 10, 7-11pm. Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000)
The chateux pairing dinners
If what you drink is as important to you as what you eat at dinner, you’re going to go gaga for Gourmet Abu Dhabi’s pairing dinners. Five estates have been invited to host dinners at this year’s fest, and will be teaming up with some of the international chefs to produce some seriously memorable meals. Try Mezzaluna at Emirates Palace’s Château dinner, featuring International Masterchef Ernesto Iaccarino and Château Smith Havt-Lafitte. Dating back to the 14th century, the Chateau Smith Havt-Lafitte estate features an underground cellar holding over 1,000 barrels and produces reds and whites from the seven grape varieties of Bordeaux.
Dhs850 February 15, 7-11pm. Emirates Palace (02 690 9000)
The culinary masterclasses
Are you the type of diner that pours over the ingredients when you eat out, trying to figure out how you can recreate the same dishes when you get back home? Then the Gourmet Abu Dhabi masterclasses are a must-visit. Since these are the only free sessions that are part of the festival (which otherwise is a prohibitively pricey affair) they get booked up extremely fast. Tickets, however, are still left for the class held by Rodrigo De La Calle from Aranjuez, near Madrid, who is known for developing the concept ‘Gastrobotánica’ which involves using unusual plant species as ingredients. Together with biologist/botanist Santiago Orts, he owns the one-Michelin-starred restaurant Rodrigo de la Street in Aranjuez.
Free February 21, 9.30-11am. Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel (02 441 5900)
The entertainment
This year is the first time Gourmet Abu Dhabi have put such a strong emphasis on dining entertainment – comedians and musical entertainment will both feature during the 16-day extravaganza, but we’re most looking forward to Ennio Marchetto’s performance. He describes himself as a Live Paper Cartoonist and his show involves mime, impersonations and paper costume changes. You’ll get to watch the show while tucking into a fine dining meal prepared by Parisian chef William Ledeuil.
Dhs750 February 9, 7-11pm. Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3000)
The promotions
Many of the participating restaurants in this year’s Gourmet Abu Dhabi are offering special menus throughout the event, which have been created by a visiting chef. These promotions give you the chance to sample the chef’s dishes without being obliged to fork out for the full tasting menus at other events. St Regis’ 55 & 5th The Grill is hosting modern Californian chef Daniel Patterson, from San Francisco’s restaurant COI.
Daniel Patterson’s menu will be available from February 9-12 at 55 & 5th The Grill, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 249 8888)
Gourmet Abu Dhabi takes place in various locations across town between February 8 and 23. For further information and to purchase tickets for any of these events, visit www.gourmetabudhabi.com
