TCA Abu Dhabi To Roll Out Red Carpet For Gourmet Abu Dhabi Opening

Tom Urquhart

The UAE capital is getting ready to roll out the red carpet for the Gala Opening of its annual Gourmet Abu Dhabi culinary festival, which this year will grace the beachfront Falcon Lawn of the five-star Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi.

Taking place February 4th, the opening is set to be one of the most glamorous events on Abu Dhabi’s social calendar.

To be compared by popular TV and Radio Presenter Tom Urquhart, the opening will feature nine international masterchefs who are among Gourmet Abu Dhabi’s star-studded line up. They include: the USA’s Christopher Kostow; Italy’s Marco Sacco; South Korea’s Edward Kwon; Australia’s Russell Blaikie; Denmark’s Henrik Yde Andersen; Britain’s Michael Caines; India’s Sanjeev Kapoor and French master patissier, Fabrice David.

“This is a powerful opening night cast,” said Noura Al Dhaheri of the Gourmet Abu Dhabi organising committee. “It’s truly international in profile and represents some of the most authoritative names in the business. It’s a chance for opening night goers to get better acquainted with the superchefs who’ll be serving up some of the best cuisine possible during the festival’s 16 days.”

Opening night guests will also get the chance to savour the creativity of Abu Dhabi’s own hospitality stars with food stations from Gourmet Abu Dhabi hosting venues and chefs from: The Forge, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal; 18° Hyatt Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi; Teatro, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi; Blue Grill, Yas Island Rotana Abu Dhabi; Pachaylen, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara; Brasserie Angélique, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi; Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor, Café D’Alsace by Royal Catering and The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Entertainment for the evening is a high music affair as the UAE’s very own SAMA Quartet – the Emirati Barber’s shop acappella harmony sensation – takes to the stage to prove that music can be the best food accompaniment.

Later, accappella gives way to jazz as the UAE’s Afif Jazz performs amazing repertoire from classics to original fusions that have caught the ear of esteemed international artists like Bobby McFerrin & Phil Abraham. Affif has performed at some of the world’s top jazz festivals including Java, Palermo, Mongo and Novar.