It's suddenly that time of year again: Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2013 kicks off on February 5 and runs for two weeks. Restaurants across the capital are no doubt already readying their kitchens for the arrival of a slew of international chefs, as preparations for a whole host of special dinners, demonstrations and bespoke menus begin.
Now in its fifth year, the event has grown. With that in mind, we take a look at what's new for 2013 and how you can get the most out of this gastronomic experience, whatever your budget or food preference.
Cooking demos
First up, the daily morning masterclasses have been done away with. While they were free, which was a boon, we think that this can only be a good thing, as spaces then were very limited, got booked up quickly (often by the same people) and felt slightly inaccessible, with the chefs cooking up all manner of technical dishes.
Instead, this year the Gourmet Abu Dhabi team bring us two jam-packed days of chef demonstrations, by way of the Culinary Creation Stage. Held at the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa on February 8 and 9 (Friday and Saturday) the day-long events (9am to 5pm) are reasonably priced at Dh120 for one day and Dh200 for both. The demos feature chefs such as Dani Garcia, Michel Sarran, Rachel Allen and the patissiere Ernst Knam, who will be sharing their tips and secrets as well as cooking up a storm.
Chef luncheons
Continuing on with this interactive eating theme, over the two-week period there's going to be a number of cooking demonstrations by individual chefs, which are followed by lunch.
These four-hour-long events (10am-2pm) take place at different hotels, with the featured chef focusing on his or her particular area of expertise.
Highlights include: at the Beach Rotana on February 17, Michel Rostang will be looking back over his illustrious career, while Jason Black will be discussing his travels and how to cook the perfect steak at the Yas Island Rotana on February 13. Imtiaz Qureshi will be cooking and discussing the history of Indian cuisine at the Beach Rotana on February 18.
Again, tickets are reasonably priced at Dh200 (remember, it includes lunch) but are selling out fast. Book online at www.gourmetabudhabi.ae.
For choco lovers
An evening filled with chocolate and a side order of theatrics - that's the event titled Murder by Chocolate with Valrhona and Gianluca Fusto. On February 6 at the Yas Viceroy hotel, three food critics are due to meet a rather sickly end. Guests will witness the mystery unfold course by course, as a police inspector, his sidekick and a psychic family member battle to discover just who was responsible for the deaths - was it a bitter restaurant manager or even a rival food blogger?
Amid all that mystery, one thing is certain: there will be plenty of chocolate on offer. The patisserie Gianluca Fusto, who is hosting the event along with Yas Viceroy's executive chef Michel Jost, is an ambassador for Valrhona chocolate and is renowned for his creativity.
The event begins at 7pm and is priced at Dh600.
Valentine's in the desert
If you're looking for a Valentine's Day dinner with a difference, Gourmet Abu Dhabi's 1001 Nights might be just the ticket. Held out in the Abu Dhabi desert at Arabian Nights Village - a sustainable desert camp - the event promises an Emirati-inspired, Arabic fusion feast held under the stars and surrounded by candles.
The meal begins with seafood - lobster, oysters and salmon - before guests are invited to sample a banquet-style spread consisting of fish biryani, lamb ouzi, harees and thareed and ending with saffron and rosewater-infused desserts.
Guests can also opt to stay the night at the camp, if they wish. For more information or to make a booking, visit www.arabiannights.ae.
Emirati fusion dinner
After her successful contribution to last year's event, the Emirati chef Khulood Atiq returns with a fusion dinner held at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club on February 11. In collaboration with the executive chef Mathew Goodlet, chef Khulood, who is an Arabic and Emirati cuisine specialist for Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), has devised a meal that uses Emirati flavours and ingredients, but has given them a slightly modern twist.
Items on the fusion-style à la carte menu include mini camel burgers, local prawns with rocket sauce, salt fish madrouba and spiced mackerel with mohammar rice.
The event begins at 7pm and tickets are priced at Dh350 each. Call 02 656 3500 to make a reservation.
For caviar aficionados
The Australian celebrity chef Brent Savage and the Etihad Airways corporate executive chef Thomas Ulherr have come together to present a seven-course caviar tasting menu, featuring five different types of quality caviar.
Savage is known for his forward-thinking food and while the full menu is being kept under wraps until the night, the signature dish is thought to be a tom yum creamy spaghetti with Iranian Beluga caviar infused with lemon grass, ginger and chilli.
Perhaps not surprisingly, given the abundant use of luxury ingredients, tickets are not cheap at Dh1,300 per person. For bookings, visit www.gourmetabudhabi.ae.
More in store
While these are our picks of the new events, there will be a huge amount going on in Gourmet Abu Dhabi. On February 10, the Irish television chef and cookery book author Rachel Allen will host a special dinner at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, where she'll be cooking some of her favourite dishes using ingredients from her homeland.
The three Michelin-starred chef Pascal Barbot will be serving a high-end, bespoke menu at Brasserie Angélique at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers on February 17.
There's also a gourmet brunch at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr on the 15th and a popular gourmet golf experience at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on the 7th. With all the different culinary promotions and the special menus and dinners that the international chefs will put on at their host hotels, we will all be very well fed in February.
eshardlow@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
Honeymoonish
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Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
More on Quran memorisation:
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The%20Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Movie
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How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
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
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
SPECS
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The%20specs
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The%20specs
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Five hymns the crowds can join in
Papal Mass will begin at 10.30am at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday
Some 17 hymns will be sung by a 120-strong UAE choir
Five hymns will be rehearsed with crowds on Tuesday morning before the Pope arrives at stadium
‘Christ be our Light’ as the entrance song
‘All that I am’ for the offertory or during the symbolic offering of gifts at the altar
‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ and ‘Soul of my Saviour’ for the communion
‘Tell out my Soul’ as the final hymn after the blessings from the Pope
The choir will also sing the hymn ‘Legions of Heaven’ in Arabic as ‘Assakiroo Sama’
There are 15 Arabic speakers from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in the choir that comprises residents from the Philippines, India, France, Italy, America, Netherlands, Armenia and Indonesia
The choir will be accompanied by a brass ensemble and an organ
They will practice for the first time at the stadium on the eve of the public mass on Monday evening
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 2 (Willems 25', Shelvey 88')
Manchester City 2 (Sterling 22', De Bruyne 82')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THREE
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The Internet
Hive Mind
four stars
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
A general guide to how active you are:
Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
12,500 - highly active
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
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