Chefs highlight Dubai’s more ‘creative, intense’ F&B scene

LEADING Middle East chefs and restaurateurs are exploring the changing face of the region’s dining scene ahead of their joint participation in a dedicated food and beverage forum at the 17th annual Hotel Show Dubai slated on Sept. 17-19, 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The region’s leading hospitality event is opening up its Vision Conference on Sept. 19 to expert-led discussions exploring trends among the region’s diners. Speakers include Chef Colin Clague, Executive Chef & Managing Partner, Ruya Restaurant, Grosvenor House, previously Chef de Cuisine at the Burj al Arab and Executive Chef of the popular Zuma and Qbara restaurants in Dubai; Kuwaiti Chef Ahmed Al Bader, renowned for his influence on the country’s F&B scene through his work with the Epicure Group and Group Six; and Chef Darren Velvick, Head Chef & Patron of The Croft, who spent more than a decade working alongside Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing and won ‘Middle East Chef of the Year 2015'. Al Bader, providing the keynote speech, said: “On the one hand, breaking trends in cities like London and New York are about introducing something new and getting the critics on your side. Here, in the Middle East, trendsetting is more like wildfire. The Arab world is a very social media savvy place, therefore our identity is constantly being portrayed at breakneck speed and people are very keen to adopt. Yes, we uphold our traditions, but trendsetting here can happen overnight.” “I’m predicting Dubai will get more intense and creative with food in the coming years,” added Chef John Martho Buenaventura, Culinary Director at CUISINERO UNO. — SG