Masterclasses, collaboration dinners, culinary experiences – it’s all happening in the capital.
All eyes are once again on Abu Dhabi for the latest edition of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants which will be hosted on 28 January 2025, bringing with it a whole host of exciting culinary events. Spanning four-hands dinners and experiential dining events, here they are at a glance.
From Saturday, 25 January to Thursday, 30 January, the 50 Best Signature Sessions will unite world-renowned chefs and leading culinary figures from the MENA region. In collaboration with acclaimed local chefs and top restaurants in Abu Dhabi, these events promise one-of-a-kind dining experiences.
Saturday 25 January: Flavours of 50 Best
The series begins with Flavours of 50 Best, an evening brunch at Graphos Social Kitchen in Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island featuring Eduard Zatruch, from Disfrutar (currently ranked The World’s Best Restaurant), Gaggan Anand, from Gaggan in Bangkok (No.9 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024) and Louisa Lim, Pastry Chef at Odette in Singapore (Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2023). Here, you can enjoy a creative culinary spread complemented by creative drink pairings crafted by Raminta Ambroževičiūtė of the FACT award-winning La Petite Maison Dubai. The event runs on Saturday, 25 January, from 6pm to 10pm and is priced at AED 595, offering premium food stations that will cater to every palate.
GO: Visit https://sevn.ly/xN9fWtRY for reservations and more information.
Sunday 26 January: Hélène Darroze x Bord Eau
At Bord Eau in Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, acclaimed chef Hélène Darroze of La Grande Table Marocaine partners with Chef de Cuisine David Tavernier to present a menu that blends Moroccan authenticity with French sophistication.
Sunday 26 January: Jason Atherton x Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi
Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi will see Jason Atherton, the innovative chef behind Row on 45 in Dubai, team up with Matteo Guerra of Fouquet’s to create a distinctive fusion of modern British and refined French cuisine, set amidst the cultural backdrop of the Louvre on Saadiyat Island.
Sunday 26 January: Sara Aqeln x Ryba
The FACT award-winning Ryba, located in Al Mina Souq, Sara Aqel of Dara Dining in Amman will join forces with acclaimed Emirati chef Faisal Alharmoodi to deliver a culinary experience that celebrates the vibrant flavours of Jordan and the UAE, highlighting the rich essence of Middle Eastern gastronomy.
Sunday 26 January: Norbert Niederkofler x Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
At Talea by Antonio Guida in Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Norbert Niederkofler, the visionary behind sustainable Italian dining at Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler (ranked No.52 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 extended list), will collaborate with Luigi Stinga to present an exquisite menu showcasing Italian culinary artistry with a sustainable twist.
Monday 27 January: Fayçal Bettioui x Butcher & Still
On Monday, 27 January, Fayçal Bettioui, the visionary chef behind Table 3 in Casablanca, Morocco, will collaborate with Marshall Roth of Butcher & Still, located in the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, for a unique culinary experience.
Wednesday 29 January: José Avillez x Catch at St. Regis Abu Dhabi
On Wednesday, 29 January, two exceptional dining experiences await. At Catch at St. Regis Abu Dhabi, José Avillez, the pioneering chef from Belcanto in Lisbon (ranked No.31 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list), will partner with Head Chef Kessav Kutwaroo to deliver a seven-course, four-hands tasting menu. This sophisticated, coastal-inspired experience will spotlight the finest regional fish and seafood, with four courses crafted by Avillez, showcasing his signature Portuguese flavours.
Wednesday 29 January: Eddie Castro x Oak Room
While Oak Room at The Abu Dhabi Edition will see Eddie Castro of FACT’s restaurant of the year in Saudi Arabia, Kuuru, collaborate with Chef de Cuisine Fernando Tapia for an extraordinary fusion of culinary creativity.
Thursday, 30 January: Mostafa Seif x MouzMari
Finally, on Thursday, 30 January, Chef Sergio Cabrera of MouzMari, the UAE’s first Emirati-inspired Argentinian steakhouse, will host an evening of gastronomic innovation. He will be joined by Mostafa Seif, the acclaimed chef from Khufu’s Restaurant in Cairo, known for his modern interpretations of traditional Egyptian cuisine. Together, they will craft a menu that seamlessly blends Argentinian boldness with Emirati and Egyptian heritage.
These sessions offer food lovers a chance to experience the very best of global and regional gastronomy.
GO: Visit https://bit.ly/menas50br25signaturesessions for reservations and more information,
