Renowned British celebrity chef, James Martin, has been unveiled as the ‘for-one-night-only’ Celebrity Dinner host chef for Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2011 – the 16-day culinary festival that will run across a dozen of the emirate’s premium fine dining restaurants from February 2-17, 2011.
The Celebrity Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island on February 3 will see Martin prepare his speciality British fare for up to 250 guests. Tickets are on sale now at AED 750 (US $204) per seat.
Martin will then conduct a one-off, free-to-the-public master class the following day. The 37-year-old supercar lover promised guests a cooking tutorial they can recreate in their home kitchens.
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“Over the years, I’ve learnt a lot from my travels and other chefs,” said Martin, who has appeared in a number of TV shows and published a series of diverse cookery books. “Although my style of food is changing all the time, one thing people need to remember when demonstrating cooking is to cook things people can achieve at home – this is exactly what I intend to do in my Gourmet Abu Dhabi master class.”
Martin burst on to the British cuisine scene when famous British chef, Antony Worrall Thompson, noticed the talented youngster’s work at Scarborough Technical College – where Martin was named Student of the Year three years running – and brought the graduate to his 190 Queensgate restaurant in London.
After opening the Hotel and Bistro du Vin, the 21-year-old Head Chef made national headlines by changing the menu everyday. In 1994, Martin had established a British and international fan-base through his varied television work for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, UKTV and Sky Television.
Martin will headline this third Gourmet Abu Dhabi outing which boasts a range of new features as a hallmark stellar cast of 13 masterchefs – with 22 Michelin-stars and three Chefs Hats between them – four special guest chefs, six master pâtissiers and a horde of celebrity guests lined up a programme of Epicurean Promotions, Culinary Masterclasses, Château Dinners, an Emirati Royal Dinner, Gourmet Golf Experience, Charity Dinner, Feast of Middle Eastern Cuisine and the Abu Dhabi Gourmet Stars Awards Gala Dinner.
“With so many British expatriates working and living in the UAE, and many other nationalities now well acquainted with James through his television appearances we anticipate strong booking for his Celebrity Dinner and masterclass session,” said Noura Al Dhaheri, acting manager, Leisure Product Development, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organises Gourmet Abu Dhabi.
“James’ lust for life and adventure has ensured that his popularity extends far beyond his television work and public appearances. He represents a new breed of celebrity chef – one whose style of cooking is transferrable to a mass audience and he is someone who devises menus that are easily transferred to the home”, she adds.
Bookings for Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2011 can be made by emailing info@gourmetabudhabi.ae.
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