The UAE has no shortage of chefs with Michelin-star pedigree, from Massimo Bottura to Antonio Guida, as well as home-grown restaurants lauded by the Michelin Guide, from 99 Sushi and Hakkasan to Ossiano and Tresind Studio.
However, it's safe to say the majority – if not all – of these internationally acclaimed chefs set up base in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The Northern Emirates have not traditionally been on their radar. Until now.
Dutch chef Syrco Bakker is making his UAE debut by taking over Farmhouse at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert. The chef has spent 13 years in fine-dining restaurants across the Netherlands, making a name for himself as head chef of Sergio Herman’s Pure C, which holds two Michelin stars.
He then launched Syrco Base in Bali – a sprawling four-in-one concept with a restaurant, bar, chef’s table and shop – back in January. The venue collaborates with local producers, fishermen and farmers, ensuring that each dish highlights the flavours of Bali's native ingredients and supports the region's sustainable food ecosystem.
Building on his success in Bali, Bakker aims to bring this concept to Ras Al Khaimah, where he is offering a new menu under the revamped Farmhouse by Syrco.
The chef says implementing a farm-to-table concept on the top floor of a skyscraper hotel in Dubai just didn’t feel right for what he has in mind. Rather, he was looking for a place with a better fit.
“I wasn't really aware, to be honest, about this region. I wasn’t that familiar with Ras Al Khaimah,” Bakker tells The National. “My first visit was in February and that's when I saw all the hidden gems of products and also its natural beauty. So I thought: 'OK, there are a lot of possibilities and also a great opportunity to showcase what the region has to offer.'”
We should, as chefs, work on the availability of the fishermen, of the farmers, and adapt our techniques to what's available
The northern emirate, known for its local farms and charming natural surroundings, aligns with Bakker’s values of sustainability and using authentic ingredients. The chef emphasises the importance of respecting each product and showcasing the story of the people behind it, while honouring traditions and heritage. He highlights examples of steak tartare with a tagine seasoning, and cured fish with zaatar and aloe vera from Al Wadi desert.
“We work on the availability of the fishermen, of the farmers, because chefs should just be able to ask them: ‘What did you catch? What did you grow? What is good?’, and then work with that. We should be, as chefs, capable to adapt our techniques to what's available.”
This commitment to sourcing locally is reflected in the restaurant's revamped menu, which features dishes designed to showcase local ingredients. This includes Dibba oysters with a light vinaigrette and stems of coriander and pink pepper; a stew that combines leek, lemon and Dukkah (an Egyptian spice blend); and a salad with cucumber, seaweed and hibiscus.
“The products are very recognisable,” he adds. “I don't want to make too many foams, purees and so on, but rather respect the products and give them the stage.”
While some chefs might find it difficult to come to a new country and incorporate local produce and agriculture, especially only after a handful of visits, Bakker embraces the opportunity. He believes the emirate's landscape and less competitive dining scene, along with his farm-to-table concept, offer guests a distinctive culinary experience.
He is also eager to learn more about the region, using this knowledge as inspiration for the dishes. “I think it's super interesting for yourself to discover traditions, the history of some places and special recipes,” he says.
Although Bakker plans to continue travelling between Bali and Ras Al Khaimah, Farmhouse by Syrco’s head chef – who started with him in Bali – has moved to the northern emirate permanently to guide the team and maintain standards.
We have a lot of plans, including putting glass houses here to make it more like a farmhouse
Bakker also hopes to build a strong foundation that reflects the region's unique offerings. “I see it as a journey. I discovered already great products, great crafts, great producers. Classic farming aside, what is also very interesting is the innovation the UAE is known for, so I think it's also important to showcase that,” he says.
Although it’s still early days, Bakker already has some ideas for the future that will fall in line with this vision especially because he has received so much support from RAK hospitality. “We have a lot of plans with this experience, including putting some glass houses here to make it more like a farmhouse. Maybe since we are close to the resort, we'll build a farm where we can get our vegetables from.”
After years of building a culinary reputation in Europe and Asia, Bakker believes Ras Al Khaimah offers another platform to showcase his philosophy. “For me, it makes very much sense to do something here, which also feels better because I want to showcase what I stand for. You can do it anywhere and everywhere of course, but the story here feels, in many ways, meant to be.”
Zayed Sustainability Prize
FA CUP FINAL
Manchester City 6
(D Silva 26', Sterling 38', 81', 87', De Bruyne 61', Jesus 68')
Watford 0
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RECORD%20BREAKER
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
The years Ramadan fell in May
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
Read more from Johann Chacko
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
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Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
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The five pillars of Islam
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
More coverage from the Future Forum
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The years Ramadan fell in May
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
Poacher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERichie%20Mehta%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nimisha%20Sajayan%2C%20Roshan%20Mathew%2C%20Dibyendu%20Bhattacharya%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Bahrain%20GP
%3Cp%3EFriday%20qualifying%3A%207pm%20(8pm%20UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ESaturday%20race%3A%207pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETV%3A%20BeIN%20Sports%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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
More on Quran memorisation:
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
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Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
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Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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More on animal trafficking
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
ARGYLLE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Matthew%20Vaughn%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Bryce%20Dallas%20Howard%2C%20Sam%20Rockwell%2C%20John%20Cena%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
