"Everybody you talk to knows at least something about MasterChef," notes chef Margarita Vaamonde-Beggs.
With more than 300 million viewers in 200 countries around the world, MasterChef is one of the most successful cooking series on television. And it's chef Vaamonde-Beggs's job to take that popular concept and turn it into a real restaurant.
In April, MasterChef, the TV Experience, will open at the forthcoming Millennium Place Marina. The screen-to-plate restaurant has been three years in the making, and will be the first in the world based on the reality cooking show.
The concept of MasterChef, for those unfamiliar, puts amateur cooks through their paces as they create menus and dishes for a panel of celebrity judges. And for the first time, fans will be able to sink their teeth into some of the winning dishes at the Dubai Marina restaurant.
“It’s an amazing concept and experience,” says Vaamonde-Beggs. “We are bringing food from actual people who went on the show and won. With the restaurant, you get a little bit of the show because you get to see us cook the dishes, and then you can be the judge.”
A new challenge
The chef, alongside the show’s production company and Dubai developer The First Group, has worked with previous winners and finalists to create a menu that will journey back through some of the series’s best dishes. “Each recipe is going to have a little bit of storytelling behind it. Chefs have shared with us recipes that have a memory for them from the TV show, like, ‘the dish that Marco Pierre White loved the most’, or, ‘the one that made me win the competition’,” Vaamonde-Beggs explains.
"Some of the dishes were passed down from grandparents and, for us, that's one of the main things about MasterChef. It is literally about a passion for cooking; it's about people who grew up with this and it comes from the heart, you know?"
While Vaamonde-Beggs has not been a MasterChef contestant herself, she knows a thing or two about handling the heat in the kitchen, landing her first head chef position when she was just 25. Since then, she has worked in some of the best restaurants in Latin America, before moving to the UAE and making a name for herself at eateries including Pierre Gagnaire's Reflets and Morimoto.
At 33, the MasterChef restaurant is her biggest challenge yet. And while having the weight of a global fan base on her shoulders might be enough to faze some chefs, for Vaamonde-Beggs, it’s all part of the fun. “Of course, I feel the pressure,” she says, “but I embrace a challenge, I’ll take it. It’s interesting, especially as a woman, to have the opportunity to do this. I also think it’s a refreshing change for the Dubai market.”
What to expect
As the name of the restaurant suggests, the format of the show will be incorporated beyond the menu. The decor has been designed to emulate the set, combining the industrial look and colour palette with some more recognisable elements, such as the famous MasterChef clock and an open-kitchen environment.
"We are going to have a table that is directly in front of the kitchen, so you can just sit there and look at everybody cook, which is fun for the chefs. It's a bit intimidating for some – but it's nice," Vaamonde-Beggs says. "It's part of the experience, and it gives them a taste of the pressure the contestants feel."
Vaamonde-Beggs will also try her hand at the MasterChef experience, taking on one of the challenges contestants are regularly faced with. "One of the main things we are bringing from the TV show is the Mystery Box challenge," she says, excitedly. "That will be my chance to shine."
While she is unable to elaborate further (I’m told it’s “still in the planning stages”), in the televised challenge, contestants are presented with a box of random ingredients from which they are tasked with creating a dish from scratch. The suggestion is that guests will be able to put Vaamonde-Beggs to the test if they choose to take a gamble on the Mystery Box menu option.
What the chef can tell me about, though, is one of the dishes that will be on the menu. "It's a very nice pea and truffle soup, with Parmesan and some sauteed peas on the side. It's silky, it has texture, it's full of spring flavours," she says.
“I had a moment,” interjects Duncan Fraser-Smith, vice president of The First Group’s food and beverage division. “A real moment. This is something we have been thinking about for three years and it was one of the first dishes I actually tasted that was going to be on the menu – I haven’t tasted food like that in Dubai yet. It’s extremely exciting.”
Creating an emotional connection
Vaamonde-Beggs adds: “It is going to be something very new for Dubai. Our menu is going to be so eclectic, with tastes and chefs from everywhere around the world – a bit like the people who live in Dubai.”
Some of the restaurant's other dishes will debut at Taste of Dubai, which runs from March 7 to 9. These include: confit duck leg with jalapeno, tomatillo sauce, sour cream, pickled onions and mango salsa, a recipe by Shaun O'Neale, a MasterChef USA champion from 2016; crispy fried chicken marinated in spicy buttermilk with red chilli, tamarind, Thai herbs and chilli caramel sauce, a recipe by Tamara Graffen, a MasterChef Australia contestant from 2017; and mixed mushrooms and glass rice noodles tossed in laksa, and topped with a soft-boiled and fried quail egg, a recipe from Ping Coombes, a MasterChef UK champion from 2014.
It is going to be something very new for Dubai. Our menu is going to be so eclectic, with tastes and chefs from everywhere around the world – a bit like the people who live in Dubai.
Vaamonde-Beggs will attend Taste of Dubai alongside MasterChef Australia judge Matt Preston. "He is going to be overseeing one of the dishes Margarita is going to produce in his very judge-like way," Fraser-Smith says with a smile.
After the food festival, the team will add the finishing touches to the menu ahead of the scheduled opening at the end of April, including ensuring all staff are familiar with MasterChef through the years.
"We've made a lot of the employees watch MasterChef episodes, because it's about creating an emotional connection," says Fraser-Smith. "People are connected through food and that's really the story with this restaurant."
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
SPECS
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88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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 White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass
Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Ferrari
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Ant-Man%20and%20the%20Wasp%3A%20Quantumania
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States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE
Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms
Score
Third Test, Day 1
New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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)
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Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
SPEC%20SHEET
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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