The lauded Michelin Guide has been turned to for more than 100 years, directing diners to the finest restaurants in destinations around the world.
Despite having a crop of top-quality restaurants, the UAE still does not have a guide of its own. But that could be set to change.
An invite has been sent out to foodies on behalf of Michelin Guide, inviting them to an event at Dubai's Museum of the Future within the next two weeks.
No other information has been disclosed as yet.
The launch of a UAE Michelin Guide would "only be a positive thing for the restaurant scene", Nick Alvis, chef patron at folly, tells The National.
"The guide is known to help increase business due to the interest and hype associated with it and it keeps getting bigger with the annual Michelin award celebrations and the much-anticipated release of the new entries in every new guide."
This is echoed by Naim Maadad, chief executive at Gates Hospitality, who describes the possible arrival as highlighting "the importance of the gastronomy sector and the contribution of the industry to the greater economy".
The topic of a UAE Michelin Guide is not new. In 2019, chef Vineet Bhatia, behind Indego by Vineet at Grosvenor House Dubai, told The National: "I was asked the question [about whether or not the guide will come] three or four years back and I remember saying there's not much here that deserves a star.
"Now, lots of chefs are coming in ... There is so much happening, it’s just a matter of time before Michelin looks at it."
Are chefs or restaurants awarded Michelin stars?
Restaurants, not individual chefs, are awarded Michelin stars, which means that top-tier chefs from around the world can be behind several Michelin-starred properties.
Three is the most Michelin stars one restaurant can hold.
The stars are defined as:
- One Michelin Star: "A very good restaurant in its category"
- Two Michelin Stars: "Excellent cooking, worth a detour"
- Three Michelin Stars: "Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey"
Joel Robuchon, who died in 2018, is the most decorated chef and restaurateur to date; his restaurants had a combined 32 Michelin stars.
Which countries have Michelin Guides?
There are currently 28 Michelin Guides for destinations in 35 countries. Some guides are city specific, such as those for Shanghai, New York City and London. Others are countrywide, including those for France, Italy, Great Britain and Ireland.
There is also a selection of broader guides, such as Eating Out in Pubs and the Main Cities of Europe.
Countries included in the current Michelin Guide series are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- China Mainland
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Japan
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Ireland
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- UK
- US
Is the 'Michelin Guide' run by the tyre manufacturer?
The Michelin Guide has been published by French tyre manufacturer Michelin since 1904.
The guide was launched at the turn of the 20th century, when there was "fewer than 3,000 cars in France", according to Michelin. Its aim was to get people driving to restaurants, thus using the primary Michelin product, tyres.
"In order to help motorists develop their trips — thereby boosting car sales and in turn, tyre purchases — the Michelin brothers produced a small guide filled with handy information for travellers, such as maps, information on how to change a tyre, where to fill up on petrol, and wonderfully — for the traveller in search of respite from the adventures of the day — a listing of places to eat or take shelter for the night," the Michelin website explains.
"In 1926, the guide began to award stars for fine-dining establishments, initially marking them only with a single star. Five years later, a hierarchy of zero, one, two, and three stars was introduced, and in 1936, the criteria for the starred rankings were published."
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
JERSEY INFO
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider born after January 1, 1995 in the overall classification by time (U25).
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained the most Intermediate Sprint Points.
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
57%20Seconds
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The five pillars of Islam
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 715bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,289,376
On sale: now
