An incredible roster of Michelin-lauded chefs from all over the world have descended on Expo 2020 Dubai's Al Wasl Plaza to present one-of-a-kind degustation menus as part of Jubilee Gastronomy.
Now the final feast has been revealed — and it’s bringing together two of the UAE’s own top chefs for a closing service like no other. On March 30, Freddy Kazadi of 3 Fils (the restaurant that took the top spot on the first Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants list) and Nick Alvis of folly will join forces to serve up The Finale: Connecting East & West, a four-course lunch priced at Dh495.
While diners are in for a one-off treat, the chefs, too, could not be more excited about the collaboration. “I’ve been around for quite a while and Freddy is new to the scene, so it’s a bit of an old dog, new tricks situation,” says Alvis, with a laugh.
Meet the chefs
Alvis first arrived in Dubai 12 years ago, and has lived and breathed the city’s culinary scene, first as head chef at Verre by Gordon Ramsay at Hilton Dubai Creek and most recently at the helm of folly at Souk Madinat.
Having set out with the goal of launching a neighbourhood cafe, the British-born Alvis now finds himself running a leader of the 50 Best Discovery list, an offshoot of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.
Meanwhile, Kazadi, who arrived in Dubai almost two years ago “for a holiday”, now holds the position of senior sous chef at the best restaurant in the Middle East.
“I was planning on visiting Dubai for a few weeks, but then 3 Fils offered me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” says Kazadi, who is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Since then, it’s been like living in a dream. I’m excited to work with Nick and learn whatever I can from him.”
On the menu
The meal will kick off with tuna tataki rolls prepared by Kazadi, followed by corned rose veal, foie gras and gooseberry, a dish that folly fans may recognise.
The main course takes us back to the East in the form of a squid pasta creation. “The squid itself forms the pasta, and I serve it with shiitake mushrooms and green asparagus,” Kazadi says.
The final course will be a strawberry pavlova with strawberry sorbet and basil leaves prepared by Alvis, and the meal will be accompanied by folly’s famed sourdough bread.
“Both of my courses have been served at folly before, and it’s fantastic to be able to bring them back,” says Alvis.
“The corned rose veal, in particular, is delicious. We grind and marinate the meat with spices then slow-cook it to give it a pulled texture. It’s then mixed with an apple consume and a brined duck liver for a rich, creamy, meaty taste.”
Men with a plan
The collaboration was put together by “chef whisperer” Flavel Monteiro, who has curated the Chef’s Table premium series at Jubilee Gastronomy, bringing a whopping 70 chefs to cook for diners at Expo 2020 Dubai.
“Dubai is the new taste sensation of the world, connecting enhanced flavours and aromas that provides a sensation of richness and taste,” says Monteiro. “I’ve always tried to push the culinary boundaries by creating unique experiences and collaborations.
“This finale will bring the East and the West together in one special lunch, showcasing the perfect mix of culture that makes gastronomy in Dubai and at Expo 2020 so special.”
Both chefs have achieved incredible feats in the region and this latest foray is no exception. “With 3 Fils being ranked at number one in the region by 50 Best, it’s been great to get to know the team and see what they’re all about,” says Alvis.
For Kazadi, the chance to cook at Expo is just the latest honour in an exceptional year so far. “Before 50 Best and after 50 Best are like two different worlds,” he says, “I feel humbled to be recognised and excited for what’s still to come.”
Tales of Yusuf Tadros
Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)
Hoopoe
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'
Bournemouth 1
Wilson 44'
Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Racecard
5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m
6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
