The capital’s foodies start salivating over Gourmet Abu Dhabi months before the programme is even announced, speculating over which celebrity chefs will be gracing the city with their presence, wondering what dishes they’ll prepare and dreaming of all the amazing delicacies they’ll get to devour.
This year, celebrity chef Rachel Allen will be making an appearance and, as usual, many of the capital’s high end hotels are getting involved, so grabbing a ticket to one of the events at these addresses gives you the chance to experience the culinary hotspots in town as well as putting away some spectacular fare. Without further ado, 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 and this year, all the hosting venues will be presenting individual food stations. 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 stellar cast of masterchefs themselves. This year’s bash will be held at the new Ritz-Carlton and includes the chance to mingle with culinary celebrities and let your taste buds savour glorious food prepared by the various hosting establishments. Sounds like the perfect way to start an epic two-week feasting session to us!
Dhs400 per person, dress code is formal. 7pm-10pm, February 5. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal (02 818 8888).
Themed dinners
If you love foie gras, chocolate and caviar then you’re going to go gaga for Gourmet Abu Dhabi’s themed dinners. This year, there are several taking place throughout the event and we’ve picked a few highlights to watch out for.
Murder by Chocolate
Brand new this year, the Murder by Chocolate evening will be held at the Yas Viceroy hotel and guests will be pleasantly immersed in a fine-dining and interactive show hosted by renowned Italian cocoa maestro, chef Gianluca Fusto and host venue chef Michel Jost. Pastry masterchef Fusto is an international ambassador for exclusive and gastronomic French chocolate brand Valrhona – Gourmet Abu Dhabi’s official chocolate partner – and with desserts viewed as the latest experiments of contemporary food art, chef Fusto will bring an element of magic to this marvellous murder mystery night. What’s more, he gets to join in the entertainment with a starring role as a celebrity chef with a fiery temper and a love for grand gestures in this fast-paced ‘whodunit’ which will unfold over each course. The only way to find out is to be part of the fun!
Dhs600 per person. 7pm-11pm, February 6, Yas Viceroy Hotel. For tickets go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae.
Emirati fusion dinner with Khulood Atiq
Enjoy the warmth of Emirati cuisine with this special one-off themed dinner. Chef Khulood Atiq of TDIC will present a menu showcasing Emirati culture. Chef Atiq has been the developer of some of Abu Dhabi’s finest hospitality outlets including the stunning Qasr Al Sarab in the Liwa Desert and her Emirati cuisine cookbook, which she hopes will help raise international awareness of this traditional type of food. While most of the book’s recipes have been passed down through generations, chef Atiq has also created her own authentic dishes using Emirati ingredients, such as dates. If you want to know more about this unique cuisine why not experience it gourmet style at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club on Saadiyat Island.
Dhs350 per person. 7pm-11pm, February 11, Monte-Carlo Beach Club. For tickets go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae.
Fun with foie gras
Obsessed with foie gras? Lovers of this delicacy will be thrilled with this special, themed dinner being held at the Shangri-La Hotel, known for some of the capital’s best restaurants. Presented by Sarrade, the French company has been producing quality foie gras for over 150 years, you’ll be able to sample this fine fare from French chef Philippe Garrett who has created a special menu for this unique ingredient. To be paired with the vintages of Hugel & Fils, don’t miss the chance to enjoy one of the most exquisite dinners of this gastronomic event.
Dhs750 per person for dinner only, February 11, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri (02 676 9990).
Etihad Airways caviar and bubbly dinner
Got a serious craving for some caviar? Thomas Ulherr, Etihad Airways corporate executive chef (and his team of chefs), will join forces with Brent Savage, celebrity chef and co-owner of Sydney’s award-winning Bentley Restaurant & Bar, to deliver an amazing culinary experience for you to have right here in Abu Dhabi. This is not just any dinner, it’s a seven-course adventure through the finest varieties of caviar, paired with exclusive bubbly. If you have a penchant for the finer things in life then this one is for you.
Dhs1,300 per person. 7pm-11pm, February 15, Yas Viceroy Hotel. For tickets go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae.
Culinary demos and luncheons
Are you the type of diner who 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 culinary demos and luncheons are a must-visit. A brand new concept this year, you will be able to experience an intimate cooking lesson with the following chefs and then sit down to lunch with them. We round up our pick.
Mathieu Viannay
Meet the living culinary legend who has become the adopted gourmet son of Lyon with his stellar performance living up to the legacy of the city’s traditional La Mére Brazier restaurant. Two Michelin-starred chef Mathieu will demonstrate his undoubted talent through creative cuisine in a modern setting.
Dhs200 per person. 10am-2pm, February 12. Tori No Su, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. For tickets go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae. Mathieu Viannay will also be in the kitchen at Brasserie Angelique from February 11-14.
Sebastien Archambault
Meet the executive chef of the Park Hyatt Washington’s Blue Duck Tavern. Find out how chef Sebastien manages to balance a hectic working life and what it feels like to cook for the White House residents. See him prepare recipes and share tips in this rare personal experience.
Dhs200 per person. 10am-2pm, February 13. Residence Kitchen, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. For tickets go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae. Sebastien Archambault will also be in the kitchen at Park Bar & Grill from February 11-14.
Cyril Lignac
The chance to meet Cyril Lignac will be one to be remembered. This TV personality and Michelin-starred chef will demonstrate the cooking techniques from the world’s leading culinary destination. Chat with chef Cyril and find out what inspires him.
Dhs200 per person. 10am-2pm, February 6. Yas Viceroy. For tickets go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae. Cyril Lignac will also be in the kitchen at Nautilus from February 6-9.
Michel Rostang
Three Michelin-starred chef Michel Rostang is a master of opening and running some of the most successful restaurants in France. Find out more about this art collector and culinary impresario who is writing his own pages in the annals of gourmet cuisine.
Dhs200 per person. 10am-2pm, February 17. Finz, Beach Rotana. For tickets go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae. Michel Rostang will also be in the kitchen at Finz from February 16-19.
Bjoern Panek
See this master of plate presentation at work as chef Bjoern Panek demonstrates how to make culinary creations more inviting in this single session. Discover why this chef from Hong Kong’s celebrated The Mira restaurant believes each dish must entice with aroma and surprise the palate to be truly unforgettable.
Dhs200 per person. 10am-2pm, February 19. Pearls & Caviar, Shangri-La Hotel Abu Dhabi. For tickets go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae. Bjoern Panek will also be in the kitchen at Pearls & Caviar from February 16-19 February.
Rachel Allen
The BBC describes Rachel Allen as an ‘Irish cooking queen’ and Good Food magazine believes she ‘has put Irish cooking on the map in recent years’. So if you are an avid fan of her television shows and cook books, take the opportunity to get the celebrity treatment from the one and only Rachel while she is in town. You will be pleased to hear that she’s hosting a one-night-only celebrity dinner in Abu Dhabi and you’ll get the chance to sample her creations for real when she prepares an exclusive menu for guests at the Fairmont. It’s bound to be an indulgent night.
Dhs750 per person. 7pm-11pm, February 10. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr ballroom. Tickets are limited so to make your reservation go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae.
As a woman in a male dominated industry, what are some of the challenges that you face in your daily work?
Funnily enough, I identify myself as more of a writer than a chef, and writing isn’t such a male-dominated industry. When it comes to the daily aspects of my work, I never really feel ostracised in my dealings; generally the experience is very positive. I thoroughly enjoy teaching about food through my writing, so it is a very rewarding aspect of my career.
What is your favourite part of your job?
I really enjoy getting to eat great food, especially the freshly baked ones! I also enjoy sharing the meals with good company.
What is your least favourite part of your job?
I hate having to get up early; I am not a morning person!
How did you decide to become a professional chef?
I never really planned it intentionally. When I was younger, I loved baking. It soon became a hobby and before I knew it I developed some skills and found myself embarking on a cooking career. Because I enjoy it, it never really felt like a work; more like an extension of my life.
What is your personal comfort food?
I enjoy a roasted chicken, cooked slowly with lemon zest.
What are you looking forward to at Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2013?
I am really looking forward to the new experience of it; trying out the new flavours and learning about the local ingredients. A cuisine is a great way of getting to know a culture and I am certain that this event will be very special.
Can’t make it to the event? The current weather is perfect for whipping up a spot of comfort food, so here is one of Rachel’s special recipes to try for yourself.
Rachel Allen’s Irish stew
‘The definitive recipe for Irish stew simply doesn’t exist as in the past each household would have had its own family recipe. It is said, however, that people in the south of Ireland always add carrots, but people north of County Tipperary do not. Many people make their stew by placing alternating layers of meat, onions, carrots and potatoes in a pot, seasoned with salt and pepper, covered with water and stewed gently for a couple of hours. If you sear the meat and vegetables before stewing, as we do at Ballymaloe cookery school (where I teach), it seals in the delicious sweet flavour.’
Serves 4-6
1.5kg mutton chops from the neck or shoulder, still on the bone, cut about 1.5cm thick
3 tbsp olive oil
3 carrots, peeled and cut into slices at an angle, or 12 small baby carrots, scrubbed and left whole
12 baby onions, peeled, or 3-4 medium onions, cut into quarters through the root, which should keep the wedges intact
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
400ml lamb or chicken stock or water
8-12 potatoes, peeled and halved if very large
Sprig of thyme
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp snipped fresh chives
Preheat the oven to 160°C, gas mark 3.
Cut the chops in half, but keep the bones intact as they will give great flavour. Heat a medium-large ovenproof casserole pot or large saucepan with the olive oil until hot, then toss in the meat and cook for a minute on either side until it is nice and brown. Remove the meat and set aside and then cook the carrots and onions in the hot oil for a couple of minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper. Return the meat to the pot.
Add the stock and bring to the boil. Put the potatoes and sprig of thyme on top and transfer to the oven for 1½-2 hours or until the meat is very tender. When it is cooked, pour off the cooking liquid and allow it to sit for a minute until the fat floats to the top – adding a cube of ice will help speed this up. Spoon off the fat and pour the juices back over the stew. Add the chopped herbs and serve.
The restaurants
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, some of which hold one, two or three Michelin stars. We recommend you try Bord Eau featuring international masterchef Phillippe Etchbest with two Michelin stars from France, Bocca featuring international masterchefs Enrico and Roberto Cerea with three Michelin stars from Italy, and 55 & 5th with international masterchef Dani Garcia with two Michelin stars from Spain. There are many more talented chefs at different restaurants around the city, so go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae for times and prices.
Gourmet Abu Dhabi takes place in various locations across town between February 6 and 20. For further information and to purchase tickets visit www.gourmetabudhabi.ae.
The Awards’ Gala Dinner
To wrap things up for Gourmet Abu Dhabi’s fifth anniversary edition, past winners of the Abu Dhabi Gourmet Stars Awards and an international masterchef will present a menu like no other. Winners of the 2013 Stars Awards will be announced during the prestigious event at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Awards include Restaurant of the Year, Restaurant Chef of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the year and many more.
To vote go to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae. Dhs950 per person or Dhs8,910 per table. Seats are arranged in tables of ten and the dress code is formal. 7pm-9pm, February 20. The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
