The profusion of celebrity chefs’ restaurants in the UAE and beyond poses questions about their appeal
The appearance in Abu Dhabi yesterday by celebrity baker Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro raises a question: what exactly is the appeal of celebrity chefs? In the UAE, more than 20 restaurants use the names of famous chefs, even though diners know full well the chance of the chef in question even being present in the kitchen, let alone actually cooking their meal, is negligible.
Notwithstanding the occasional misfire, such as Gordon Ramsay’s decision in 2011 to abandon a restaurant in Dubai, there’s little doubting the success of the celebrity chef business model. Even so, only a tiny fraction of those living in the UAE will ever dine in one of these restaurants.
It’s the same with these chefs’ cookbooks, which are reliably found on the lists of bestsellers, and yet it seems only a small proportion of those whose kitchen shelves feature such tomes will actually open them and use the recipes they contain to create a meal.
With the cheaper end of the food industry revolving around instantly recognisable international fast food chains, could it be that celebrity chefs are just a high-end variation of that phenomenon?
Or is it that the prospect of dining at such a restaurant or buying their cookbook places us at one degree of separation from someone famous seen on the television? It’s something to chew on.
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
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Juliet, Naked
Dir: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke
Two stars
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
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Volvo ES90 Specs
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Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
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UAE FIXTURES
October 18 – 7.30pm, UAE v Oman, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 19 – 7.30pm, UAE v Ireland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 21 – 2.10pm, UAE v Hong Kong, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 22 – 2.10pm, UAE v Jersey, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 24 – 10am, UAE v Nigeria, Abu Dhabi Cricket Oval 1
October 27 – 7.30pm, UAE v Canada, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 29 – 2.10pm, Playoff 1 – A2 v B3; 7.30pm, Playoff 2 – A3 v B2, at Dubai International Stadium.
October 30 – 2.10pm, Playoff 3 – A4 v Loser of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Playoff 4 – B4 v Loser of Play-off 2 at Dubai International Stadium
November 1 – 2.10pm, Semifinal 1 – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Semifinal 2 – A1 v Winner of Play-off 2 at Dubai International Stadium
November 2 – 2.10pm, Third place Playoff – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Final, at Dubai International Stadium
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
