British chef Jason Atherton is working with Dubai Tourism on a cooking show that will highlight the emirate's restaurant and agricultural sectors. Photo: Jason Atherton
British chef Jason Atherton is working with Dubai Tourism on a cooking show that will highlight the emirate's restaurant and agricultural sectors. Photo: Jason Atherton
British chef Jason Atherton is working with Dubai Tourism on a cooking show that will highlight the emirate's restaurant and agricultural sectors. Photo: Jason Atherton
British chef Jason Atherton is working with Dubai Tourism on a cooking show that will highlight the emirate's restaurant and agricultural sectors. Photo: Jason Atherton

Jason Atherton to show 'unseen side' of food and farming in Dubai on British TV


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British viewers are about to see a side of Dubai “they did not know existed”, says celebrity chef Jason Atherton of his coming cooking show on the UK's ITV network.

Premiering on July 8, Dubai Dishes will have 10 episodes, and will see the British restaurateur explore the city's local food scene.

“It is a cooking show but showcases a lot more than that. It will touch upon the very best of Dubai cuisine, from the chefs to the food, as well as the local culture,” Atherton tells The National.

The show will highlight how the emirate has evolved over the years, adds Atherton, who has worked in the UAE for more than two decades. He began his Dubai stint at Gordon Ramsay's Verre, which was one of the first international-chef-led fine-dining ventures in the country.

Since then, Atherton has charted his own culinary success. He owns 17 restaurants across the globe, from London and New York to Singapore. His most recent Dubai venture, City Social, opened at Grosvenor House in February this year.

His connection to the city, where he met his Filipina wife and got married at a church in Jebel Ali, makes Atherton a fitting ambassador of Dubai's gastronomic potential, which he has always championed.

“Dubai has so much more to it – the depth, culture, talent and regional reach, it all serves to be recognised,” he says.

To further drive this point, the show will feature several local chefs and dining venues that are making international strides, including the Orfali brothers, whose Jumeirah restaurant, Orfali Bros Bistro, has been lauded as the best restaurant in the Middle East and North Africa by the World's 50 Best group.

Adobo chicken wings at Orfali Bros Bistro, which won top honours on Mena's 50 Best Restaurants list. Photo: Orfali Bros Bistro
Adobo chicken wings at Orfali Bros Bistro, which won top honours on Mena's 50 Best Restaurants list. Photo: Orfali Bros Bistro

Renowned chef Howard Ko of Ce La Vi will also make an appearance in the show, says Atherton.

Atherton and his guest chefs will present about 40 dishes over 10 episodes, showcasing the diversity of the restaurant scene.

Another highlight of the series is how it's going to show Dubai's budding agricultural scene, which has come to support the local restaurant industry in recent years.

“Sustainability is so much better. Dubai has built actual farms in the desert, meaning produce is much more accessible,” says Atherton.

“It just shows a different side to Dubai; it isn’t just shiny and bling, it has a thriving economy and really does take food seriously.”

Atherton's next adventure

The chef is also getting ready to open a third venue in Dubai Marina.

When launching City Social and Tokyo-inspired speakeasy 7 Tales earlier this year, Atherton told The National a third spot was in the works, and that it is “probably the most ambitious restaurant I've ever opened”.

Shedding more light on the venture, the restaurateur reveals it will be called Row of 45, and will be located on the 45th floor of Grosvenor House, above City Social and 7 Tales.

The restaurant will have only 22 seats, and offer a tailored dining experience, says Atherton, adding that it will offer “local products and a first-class experience”.

No opening date has been confirmed.

Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
  • 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
  • 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
  • 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.

6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m​​​​​​​
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.

6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.

7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
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Rankings

ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)

WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)

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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

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Updated: June 13, 2023, 7:31 AM`