International & Homegrown Chefs Descend On Expo 2020 Dubai
Join us over the coming weeks to experience a wealth of culinary happenings at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Indulge in innovative tasting menus from visiting international Michelin star rated chefs, sample restaurants that have never been seen in the region and try Dubai’s local gems, headed up by the very best in the industry.
Take your seat at the world’s most diverse table to embrace all Expo 2020 Dubai has to offer.
Follow the official EatAtExpo2020 (@eatatexpo2020) Instagram for updates
Visiting Chefs over the coming weeks
Rohit Ghai, Jubilee Gastronomy
Rohit Ghai has headed kitchens at some of London’s leading Indian restaurants such as Benares, Trishna, Gymkhana, Hoppers, Jamavar and Bombay Bustle and will be hosting a chef’s table on 11th November at Jubilee Gastronomy. Rohit’s Ghai restaurant – Kutir pays homage to India’s rich heritage and wildlife with a modern menu inspired by the history and splendour of this magnificent part of the world. He is the first Indian chef to have won a Michelin star for Jamavar, which was achieved within ten months of the restaurant’s opening.
Date: 11th November
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Mohammed Najem, Rising Flavours
Born from the city of traditions, history and elegancy, Chef Najem is Beirut’s pride. As an advisory chef and consultant, he has created a wealth of prestigious projects across the Middle East and hosted various shows on Qatar TV. Chef Najem will be cooking at the Rising Flavours Dining Hall 13th-19th November. Rising Flavours is inspired by the countries of the GCC, shining a light on the region’s cultures and unique take on international cuisines.
Date: 13th – 19th November
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Fatih Tutak, Jubilee Gastronomy
Chef Fatih Tutak will be hosting a chef’s table at Jubliee Gastronomy on 16th November. A globetrotter, Fatih was born and raised in Istanbul, and is today known for curating innovative Turkish cuisine which perfectly balances culinary sensibility and a sense of humour. Chef Fatih leads a talented team at The Dining Room of The House on Sathorn, which has been listed in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Join him at Jubilee Gastronomy to experience his unique brand of cuisine, taking inspiration from his travels around Asia.
Dates: 16th November
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Christelle Vougo, Alkebulan
Christelle Vougo has become known as something of a celebrity chef in the Ivory Coast. Led by her curiosity and passion for gastronomy, Christelle today manages three high–end restaurants: Normina, a local reference for American classics; Le Saakan, which specializes in African gastronomy; and Le Mondial, a restaurant which enables experimentation, with dishes such as crocodile meat served. Christelle will be cooking at Alkebulan, the African Dining Hall from 20th-28th November.
Date: 20-28th November
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Urosh Mitrasinovic, 21grams
Chef Urosh Mitrasinovic will be showcasing his culinary skills by hosting a nine-course tasting menu – transporting diners’ taste buds to the Balkan peninsula – on 21st November at Jubilee Gastronomy, a lounge, dining room and rooftop bar at Expo 2020 Dubai. Originating from Serbia, Chef Urosh is an alumnus of 21grams. The homegrown, neighbourhood eatery has become a firm favourite with the foodies of Dubai for its honest yet daring Balkan soul food, inspired by the wonderful melting pot of cultures of the Balkan region.
Date: 21st November
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Roaya Saleh, Rising Flavours
Roaya Saleh, founded Villa Mamas, a restaurant that serves local cuisine with Mediterranean influences in the Saar suburb of Bahrain. Saleh has promoted Bahraini food, not only in her country, but across the GCC. Roaya will be cooking at Rising Flavours 22nd-28th November, making her Expo 2020 debut.
Date: 22nd-28th November
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Alfredo Russo, Jubilee Gastronomy
Today, after a series of international roles, Alfredo is the manager of a restaurant located in one of the most magnificent Royal Palaces, the Palace of Venaria. Alfredo opened the Dolce Stil Novo restaurant at the age of 22, with three years of hard work earning him a Michelin star. Alfredo will be appearing at Jubilee Gastronomy, joining an impressive line-up of chefs to host a chef’s table on 30th November.
Date: 30th November
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Chef Chakall, Jubilee Gastronomy
One of the culinary icons contributing to Expo 2020, Chef Chakall will operate a pop-up, Al-Lusitano by Chakall, at the Portugal pavilion, and for one night only, will present a degustation menu at the Jubilee Gastronomy restaurant on 1st December. Speaking seven languages, Chakall is a true citizen of the world. Chakall owns a catering company, has created several restaurant concepts in Portugal and is also Executive Chef for various restaurants in China, the Algarve and the Gulf of Guinea. At Expo 2020, Chakall will introduce his franchises, Chakburger and the upcoming Chakachicken, to the market.
Date: 1st December
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Nader Al Aisari, Rising Flavours
Chef Nader Al Aisari is the exuberant chef behind Muscat’s acclaimed restaurant Tanzanite. Nader’s enthusiasm for Omani ingredients and his gregarious, likeable nature has made him an ambassador for the country’s cooking. Chef Nader will be cooking at Rising Flavours – the three-storey dining hall highlights the range and creativity of the Gulf region’s vibrant and ever-evolving food scene.
Date: 26th December 2021 – 1st January 2022
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Notable chefs
Athanasios Kargatzidis, BARON
Athanasios Kargatzidis is Head Chef and Owner at BARON, and has been a guiding force in the culinary world for over 15 years. BARON, originally from Beirut is a local space, spreading from the inside out, organic in its approach and delivery. The team’s background is complex and, although hailing from some of the finest dining establishments in the world, just want to be your favourite, neighbourhood joint. BARON’s menu comes from Beirut’s farmers‘ markets, Tripoli fishing boats, Bekka Valley fields.
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Mame Sow, Alkebulan
Pastry Chef Mame Sow draws her inspiration from seasonal local ingredients, spices, colours, the juxtaposition of sweet and savory flavours, and a love of architecture. Born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, she moved to New York City in her early teens. Mame Sow brings Shoebox to Expo 2020 – a culinary adventure celebrating African traditions, flavours, cooking techniques and traditions. Updated recipes come to life through the lens of creativity and inspiration, contemporary confections, pastry and fresh baked goodness. Shoebox offers African inspired heirloom recipes for the modern palate.
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The National by Geoffrey Zakarian
US-based chef Geoffrey Zakarian brings to life his vision of a contemporary grand café at The National. The menu offers Zakarian’s signature modern American cuisine – a style of cooking that has earned him critical acclaim. It’s fresh and accessible concentrating on fresh ingredients prepared with classic techniques.
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Bart Thoelen, Belgium Pavilion
Bart Thoelen is the Executive Chef for the Belgium Pavilion. Growing up in the Belgian countryside Bart‘s passion for quality ingredients began at a young age. After building his knowledge within his home country for more than 10 years, Bart relocated to the south of France to open his own restaurant and was awarded a Michelin star. With a stint back in Belgium, Bart moved to Dubai in 2016, joining the Belgian Beer Café in 2020. At BeHAPPY, within the Belgium pavilion, diners will be able to indulge in a selection of authentic cuisine including dishes such as: Tomates Crevettes and North Sea shrimp croquettes, to Classic Flemish Carbonade and Mussels, to a wide variety of authentic Belgian desserts.
More information here
Egor Anisimov, DA by CrabChic
DA will offer a definitive Russian seafood experience at Expo 2020, with Egor Anisimov at the helm. Egor has been in charge at Zuma, Vladivostok as Head Chef since the restaurant’s inception. A pan-Asian restaurant famous beyond Russia, Zuma serves over 300,000 guests annually from all over the world. Led by Egor Crab Chic’s gourmet food offering will form the centrepiece of the dining experience at DA, with the finest quality seafood. Bold food presentation will turn dishes into modern art: Kamchatka king crab, tiger prawn, scallops, sea urchin, oysters, clams, Caspian beluga and osetra caviar. The venue itself offers stunning views out over the Expo site, as an open air, rooftop restaurant and bar with live sets from a rotating cast of international DJs.
More information here
Kim Kevin de Dood, Luxembourg Pavilion
Luxembourg’s master chef Kim Kevin De Dood has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious restaurants. The culinary supremo will be overseeing a team of 35 at the Luxembourg Pavilion, whilst aiming to share the cuisine of his homeland with the world. Kim honed his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants in England, Belgium and Germany before landing in Singapore in 2013 where, as Head Chef he played a crucial role in helping the Saint Pierre restaurant achieve the status of two Michelin stars. He plans to serve up a menu reflecting his home nation’s multi-culturism at the Schengen Lounge restaurant. Kim and his team will be preparing traditional dishes such as FeierstengsZalot – a beef salad and homemade Kniddelen dumplings, with a modern, international, and unexpected twist.
More information here
Chef Davisha Burrowes, Alkebulan
Chef Davisha Burrowes is an Afro Caribbean Chef, famed for bringing the succulent tastes of Barbados to the Middle East. One of the highlights of her career was when she lived in Beijing working as a Private Chef to the Ambassador of Barbados to China as well as working under world-renowned chefs such as Gordon Ramsay & Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Now dominating the culinary world in Dubai her most recent role as an Executive Chef, Davisha will take the reins to lead Alkebulans’ culinary team on their bold journey through Expo 2020 Dubai!
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Chef Pina, Cafe Milano
Chef Pina started her career at the age of 17 in the family restaurant, alongside her mother, perfecting the skill of making fresh pasta. Pina is the Head Chef of Café Milano at Expo 2020, a fine dining Italian restaurant, where she exhibits her talent for genuine cooking, injecting a sense of originality by serving up contemporary Italian cuisine inspired by traditional recipes. Cafe Milano is effortlessly chic, featuring the Italian passion for beauty, food, social interaction, excellence and gracious hospitality. Cafe Milano conjures a concept that is much more than a mere reference to good food, but truly a vision that includes the best of the Italian way of life. It is ‘home away from home’.
More information here
Take advantage of the November Weekday Ticket offer, priced at AED 45 (valid for weekdays only) More information here
