Jumeirah Group introduces resort wellbeing chef

Jumeirah Group has appointed Gabriele Kurz as the company’s first resort wellbeing chef, responsible for providing healthy dining alternatives for guests at Madinat Jumeirah Dubai.

Kurz will work with head chefs in each of the restaurants to create dishes to tie in with the menu but that are labelled as healthy alternatives.

So far the dishes have been introduced in the resort's Pierchic restaurant, and she is close to finalising offerings for MJ’s steakhouse, which include a sweet potato ‘steak’ with a coffee-bean crust.

“I think the demand for health food is growing globally,” said Kurz, when discussing why this plan has been introduced now. “People need more options, more balanced food dishes on the menu. We have a lot more guests nowadays asking for vegan options and meals that cater for allergy requirements.”

Kurz also has a strong philosophy that the acidic and alkaline elements in a meal should be balanced and it takes priority when creating dishes.

“Take steak, chips and a coke, for example. Coke is acidic, protein is acidic, and so are fries. In extreme form too much acidity in your diet could cause hair loss, weak skin, bad nails. If you change your diet you’ll notice a big difference.”

Kurz believed that healthy food can be delicious too: “Eating a balanced diet doesn’t have to be any less of a joy. You can bridge health food and ‘normal’ food. You just have to think about it more carefully."

Kurz has a Master Hotelier degree from Steigenberger College of Hotel Management in her home country of Germany, as well as a certificate for Diabetic and Obesity Consultation.