Star chefs to cook up a storm at Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai will lay on a feast of innovation when the curtain raises on the world’s greatest show in October.

But there’s more in the blockbuster event’s recipe for success than the mandible-dislodging feats of engineering and attitude shifting technology that’s going to be on display for some 25million visitors.

Bosses – and by that we mean the men and women manning Expo’s numerous kitchens – are busy chopping onions and baking bread to ensure a verified banquet awaits the UAE’s globe-wide guests in just under two months’ time.

A lauded line-up of exquisite eats features creations from more than 20 acclaimed chefs representing Michelin-star kitchens.

Among the chef names heading to Expo 2020 Dubai is American ‘Gypsy Chef’ David Myers, who dabbles in the combination of classic American fast food with an international influence at Adrift Burger Bar, and celebrated Armenian-American chef, Geoffrey Zakarian, who is set to debut The National Bar & Dining Rooms – his vision of a grand café, offering modern bistro cuisine from breakfast to dinner.

Both are brand-new concepts exclusive to Expo 2020.

They aren’t the only ones planning on nourishing stomachs while Expo guest nourish their minds.

Looking for more restaurants at Expo 2020 Dubai? Matthew Kenney is set to dazzle diners with renditions of American, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours as he brings no fewer than three plant-based restaurant concepts over from the States. You might recognise his name from his plant-based menu at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.

Meanwhile, Mory Sacko, whose Mosuke restaurant was awarded a Michelin star after only two months, will employ his skilled French techniques to create signature African-Japanese fusion cuisine.

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Italian restaurant Scarpetta, which launches its first-ever Burrata Bar at Expo, and David Thompson’s renowned Thai street food chain Long Chim, headline the hit list, but they are far from lone figures on the restaurant list for Expo 2020 Dubai.

There will by a London influence in town as Rohit Ghai brings his acclaimed restaurant Kutir from Chelsea to Expo 2020.

Kutir, meaning ‘a small cottage’ in Sanskrit, draws inspiration from the royal tradition of hunting expeditions in the forests and jungles of the Indian countryside, with an experimental menu (stay tuned for Time Out’s take just as soon as we can sink our fork in).

Other tasty arrivals include British concept Bread Ahead, specialising in doughnuts and pizza, who will also bring their Bakery School to Dubai’s shores.

Beirut’s neighbourhood joint, Baron, is stopping in with its Mediterranean-inspired menu, as is Kojaki, a fusion concept that melds Japanese and Korean cuisines.

And it wouldn’t be an Expo 2020 Dubai food menu without a little innovation.

Foraging guests can expect to uncover a range of bespoke concepts including the Alkebulan African dining hall, curated by former opera singer-turned-restauranteur, Alexander Smalls, which features 11 chef-led concepts from across the African continent.

Taste of the Gulf, meanwhile, is centred around the region’s energising eats; a Talabat cloud kitchen will be armed with a fleet of riders from the food delivery platform; while a team of delivery robots and robotic baristas will make great photo ops.

Of course, it’s not just foreign imports hogging the limelight. Expo 2020 Dubai is also focussing in on home-grown hunger-busting heroes, including Arabian Tea House, Al Farwania, Dampa Seafood Grill, Al Reef Bakery, Hanon Feras Sweets, Ravi Restaurant, Maraheb Yemeni Restaurant, Chicken Tikka Inn, Al Farwania Restaurant, and Sarouja Restaurant & Café.

Talk about a winning menu.

For everything you need to know about Expo 2020 Dubai click here.

Oct 1-Mar 31. Dubai Exhibition Centre, expo2020dubai.com