Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2009

The first Gourmet Abu Dhabi festival took place in February 2009; its aim, to put the UAE city on the world culinary map by attracting some of the world's most high-profile chefs to the headline the event by hosting a series of culinary masterclasses, discussions and gourmet dinners.

 

Among those taking part at the inaugural event were Chicago's influential Charlie Trotter, German-born Heinz Beck whose three-Michelin-star restaurant La Pergola is located in Rome , French culinary stars Alain Passard and Alain Solivérès , Belgium's Yves Mattagne, Spain's Santi Santamaria and Oriol Balaguer, Italy's renowned Annie Feolde and Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone. While representing British shores was Atul Kocchar, leading light of the modern Anglo-Indian cuisine movement in the UK.

 

The food festival, which ran from 5 to 14 Feburary, also showcased the art of mixologists and several prestigious wine houses, from both the New and Old Worlds, and launched the inaugural Abu Dhabi Gourmet Stars Awards for chefs working in the emirate..

 

Gourmet Abu Dhabi will be an annual event and is staged by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and organised - like its sister event , Singapore's well-established World Gourmet Summit - by Peter Knipp Holdings (which provided the images used below).

 

 

WHO'S WHO AT GOURMET ABU DHABI 2009

 

 

 

 

ABU DHABI GOURMET STARS AWARDS

 

The Beach Rotana and its Finz restaurant scooped no fewer than four of the nine inaugural awards of excellence, while the Emirates Palace accounted for three of the accolades. The awards attracted some 118 nominations.

 

The winners in full are:

 

Executive Chef of the Year Ernst-Lothar Frank, Executive Chef, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi

 

Food & Beverage Manager of the Year Joseph Matar, Food & Beverage Director, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

 

Regional Cuisine Chef of the Year Ali Charaf, Diwan L'Auberge, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

 

Regional Cuisine Manager of the Year Adel Danihasseli, Anar Restaurant, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

 

Regional Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Anar Restaurant, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

 

Restaurant of the Year
Finz, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi

 

Restaurant Chef of the Year Daniel Smeenk, Finz, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi

 

Restaurant Manager of the Year
Thaer Hanna, Finz, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi

 

Restaurant Host of the Year May Labao, Chamas Brazilian Churrascaria, InterContinental

 

 

GALLERY

 

The month's events encompassed special dinners, foodie forums, opening and closing ceremonies, an Arabian feast, a chocolate banquet, pastry programme, and a gourmet safari and much more.

 

Videos and photographs of the events can be viewed here >>

 

They include a host of Culinary Masterclasses by:

• Alain Passard >>
• Annie Féolde >>
• Laurent Pillard >>
• Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex >>
• Charlie Trotter >>
• Atul Kochhar >>
• Sam Leong >>
• Heinz Beck >>
• Yves Mattagne >>
• Alain Soliveres >>
• Santi Santamaria >>
• Lee Keung >>
• Marco Sacco >>
• Eyvind Hellström >>

 

READ MORE ABOUT GOURMET ABU DHABI ON THE WEB

 

Four decades of dining in Abu Dhabi >>

 

Abu Dhabi on Caterersearch >>

 

Video: Atul Kochhar looking for UAE restaurant venue >>

 

TimeOut Abu Dhabi >>

 

Jeddah Food: >>

 

The dish on Abu Dhabi's Gourmet spread -The National talks to event organiser Peter Knipp >>

 

Jeddah Food: UAE capital stars shine at first gourmet Abu Dhabi awards >>

 

AME: Gourmet Abu Dhabi closes to international acclaim ADTA looks to build on inaugural success >>

 

MidEast: Gourmet Abu Dhabi closes to international acclaim >>

 

Kuwait Times: Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2009 tickles the pallet >>

 

4hoteliers: Abu Dhabi promoted as culinary destination >>

 

Emirates Business 2467: Plate expectations in Abu Dhabi

 

Etravel: Culinary maestros in Abu Dhabi for epicurean festival >>