Dubai culinary power duo Nick Alvis and Scott Price have been working together in restaurants for years – having met while in the kitchen of Claridge’s under British TV chef Gordon Ramsay. And they are now at the helm of Time Out Dubai Award-winning European restaurant, folly by Nick & Scott, by Gates Hospitality.
The team will be setting up in Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, in Q1 2021, here the pair talk signature dishes and fishing at Dubai Creek.
How long have you been in Dubai?
We moved here in 2010 while working for Gordon – he sent us here. We’ve had folly since March 2017.
Tell us about folly’s most popular dishes.
NA: Crispy hens’ egg, maple syrup and pancetta. I really enjoy watching people take their first bite.
SP: Don’t forget the crab with basil and seaweed. And the rhubarb and custard…
Who are your culinary influences?
NA: Mainly London three-star legends, Nico Ladenis, Marco Pierre White, Pierre Koffman, greats like that. The chefs before the chef boom – they still fascinate me.
SP: My nan (obvs), Marco Pierre White, Gordon Ramsay, Anthony Bourdain, Francis Mallman, Magnus Nielson.
What’s your secret weapon?
NA: Knowing how to use salt.
SP: White peppercorns. Thermomix. Chocolate fondant. Fresh ingredients.
If you weren’t a chef what would you be?
NA: A gamekeeper. I love being outdoors along with all nature and wildlife.
SP: A failed musician or scuba diving instructor.
What’s your favourite thing to in Dubai?
SP: Fishing at the Creek. Or visiting the markets in Ras Al Khor, that’s the real Dubai.
Tell us about something unusual you’ve eaten.
NA: Ants. They tasted strangely smoky.
SP: Raw jellyfish straight off the boat in Vietnam, it didn’t taste of much though.
How do you come up with new recipes?
NA: They are normally inspired by my travels.
SP: Nick and I talk a lot and have built up a long list over the past decade. But mostly I steal Nick’s nowadays as he’s got loads and I usually forget to write them down.
What’s the next big food trend?
Once the UAE sees how successful the Time Out Market is, we think more multi-cuisine venues will pop up.
For more news on Time Out Market Dubai, click here.
