Chef Andrea Monesi

Not yet of age, he worked with the large kitchen in Meina, a stone's throw from the lake, at Matteo Vigotti's Novecento restaurant, where he worked for a season, brilliantly tackling the pastry challenge. He then attended the Masters in Cooking at the University of Pollenzo, in the Cuneo area, where he got to know all the starred Piedmontese chefs. Marta Grassi, from the Tantris restaurant in Novara, Michelin Star since 1999. 20 seats in the dining room and a small and neat kitchen, where Andrea had the opportunity to learn a lot collaborating in full harmony with the Chef, for over a year and a half. In 2013 Andrea arrives at the Locanda di Orta. For five years he worked as a Sous Chef alongside with Chef Fabrizio Tesse, with whom, with tenacity and determination, at the end of 2014 (Guide 2015) he won the first Michelin Star. In January 2018 he moves to the helm, as Chef of the Locanda di Orta.

Chef Nicholas Isnard

Born in the south of France, Michelin-starred chef Nicolas Isnard began his gastronomic adventure by cooking side-by-side with his Italian grandmother. He cultivated his own culinary sensibilities in a decade of cooking across France, from Matignon to Dijon. L’auberge de la Charme, the restaurant he co-owns in France, earned a Michelin star in 2009, within a year of opening. Today, he continues to explore a food philosophy and create novel flavor combinations with provincial and local produce.

Chef Matteo Rizzo

1984, Verona, Italy. Matteo Rizzo and his passion for the culinary art were born in the kitchen of Il Desco, his father’s restaurant, one Michelin Star since 1985.

The University in Foreign Languages was not for him, he decided to “use” his cooking and catering knowledge, learnt at Il Desco during summertime and weekends, and leave his country in order to discover new experiences in refined dining.

He worked in Rome, London, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, growing up professionally and tasting realities which appeared to be different from the ones he was used to.

After a series of experiences abroad, Matteo returned home, ready to take the reigns of the family restaurant, thus guaranteeing a continuation of the business, a rite of passage and a transfer of responsibility passed to him by his father.

“Over the years I have become more and more interested in cooking, research and high-quality food. I was already feeling a familiarity with this job, which had come from my parents of course, but the important adventures I had in my life awoke and boosted my self-confidence”.

Today Matteo successfully leads Il Desco, with determination and young inventive and representing the new generation of such a place of culinary worship.

Chef Paolo Cappuccio

Bornin Naples and of Neapolitan temperament, with a resolute smile and determined expression,egocentric and also a bit mad, chef Paolo Cappuccio – together with his seven-strong crew, some of whom have been with him for over 15 years (starting with the sous-chef Marco Marras and the pastry chef Mariano Dileo) – has pursued his vocation from age 14, experimenting and constantly proving himself. He has attended and still attends today, professional courses and schools that keep him in touch with the most important developments on the international gastronomic scene and internationally acclaimed chefs “because one never cease to discover and learn”.

Paolo Cappuccio’s philosophy, inspired by Alain Ducasse, Paul Bocuse and Gualtiero Marchesi, follows a clear line. “Italian cuisine’s present and future are to be found within its traditions, which need to be innovated, creating contrasts and playing with cold and warm, whilst nevertheless respecting our traditions, our culture and our history. These are the intangible ingredients of my recipes but they are just as important and indeed capable of delivering an alchemy that no raw materials can alone provide.”

Chef Liu Wai-Yeung

Coming all the way from the Michelin-starred Shang Palace at Kowloon Shangri- La, Hong Kong, Chef Liu Wai-Yeung will take its Cantonese cuisine master skills to the capital of the UAE. The Hong Kong restaurant currently holds one Michelin star and was awarded as a Michelin two-starred restaurant in the editions of the Michelin Guide for Hong Kong and Macau from 2012 to 2018.

Chef Julia Komp

Julia Komp won her first Michelin star at the age of 28, within just six months of taking over as head chef at Schloss Loersfeld in Kerpen. This made her, in 2016, the youngest female chef in Germany to helm a Michelin-starred restaurant. She has travelled through 19 countries in seven months, on a food cultural exchange of sorts.

At the age of 14, Chef Julia signed up for her first internship at local one-starred Zur Tant and found her groove. From there, she continued training at La Société and (the now-defunct) La Poêle d’Or before coming to the 15th century Schloss Loersfeld in Kerpen, just west of Cologne.

Chef Julia is excited to bring her uniquely Nordic takes on Indian and Arabic food to the Abu Dhabi Food Festival. She is also known for her mastery over avant-garde cuisine, Chef Julia believes in the harmony between taste and visual details, elevating these to a perfectly balanced sensory dining experience. She is fond of modern cooking techniques but only uses these when they uplift a dish.

Chef Jean Christophe Novelli

Jean-Christophe is an award winning, multi-Michelin Starred chef. He is a TV favourite and a published author.

Jean Christophe began his career at the tender age of fourteen as a baker in his home town of Arras, Northern France before becoming Private Head Chef to Elie de Rothschild.

He has worked in several well-known establishments including The Chewton Glen but his life changed completely when he was invited by Keith Floyd to take charge of ‘The Maltsters’ as the Chef Patron, leading to his move to the Gordonton Mill in Hampshire where he won his first Michelin star after only one year. Later Jean Christophe was offered the position of head chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in Park lane with another Michelin star immediately!

In 1996 Jean Christophe began the foundations for mini empire of 7 establishments. Across UK, France and South Africa. The first of which was his award winning Masion Novelli in Clarkenwell Green. Followed shortly after by a second venture in Mayfair in which he gained another Michellin Star.

In 2005 Jean Christophe opened The Novelli Cookery School at the 14th Century Crouchmoor Farm in Hertfordshire with his wife Michelle. The Academy, once voted one of the top 25 cookery schools in the world attracting food lovers from across the globe. His passion for passing on his wealth of culinary knowledge to others is legendary.

He has catered for Heads of State, Royalty such as Princess Anne, Hollywood actors, Rock Stars and highly recognised names around the world including his mum!

Mega MelaConsumer Event

Set to be the largest cultural gathering in the UAE of its kind, from themes to historic traditions you will find the East celebrated with the same zest at du Arena, Yas Island.

The three day event will host a range of signature activities and features as well as celebrate the biggest and brightest festival of lights “Diwali”.

A blend of the best of art, craft, dance, music and theatre, this 3-day festival is only just a glimpse of the treasure the country carries.

Experience the magic of the East and witness the true colors of India, hear the sound of the drums, guitars and pianos, smell the aroma of fresh food, and hear the chatter amongst friends, Yas Mega Mela is like a massive family get-together.

The kaleidoscope of colours, cultures, goods and flavours on offer will have you coming back for more, no matter what your Indian influence and interest.

It offers an unparalleled opportunity to come face to face with the Middle East’s Asian community and experience the culture in its entirety.

DATES: October 31 – November 2
VENUE: du Arena, Yas Island

Know More

Taste Of Abu DhabiConsumer Event

Taste of Abu Dhabi is the definitive showcase of the capital’s best restaurants, top chefs, live music and leading food & drink brands. This year, the 3-day event will be hosted between the 7th-9th November 2019, in the world famous du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

The highlight of the foodie calendar, Taste of Abu Dhabi showcases the latest, greatest and most exciting restaurants from the region. Festival goers can expect to be served taster-size signature dishes, whilst world-class celebrity chefs cook up a storm live on-stage and, as always, there will be many opportunities to get hands-on with interactive masterclasses and shop from an array of local and international food & drink vendors.

Taste of Abu Dhabi 2019, will be bigger and better than ever before! We are expecting to host over 15,000 visitors with the festivities kicking off on 7th November. Prepare to taste incredible food & drink, enjoy live music from our international headline acts and take part in amazing activities. We can guarantee a fun-filled weekend for the whole family!

Know More

Time Out Restaurant Awards Abu Dhabi By Invitation Only

Abu Dhabi’s best restaurants are about to be revealed by Time Out Abu Dhabi.

Within the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2019 there are 21 categories covering a vast range of different cuisines and venues.

Over the past 12 months, our team of reviewers has eaten at hundreds of restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs and brunches anonymously and paid for their meals.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony held at Rosewood Abu Dhabi on Tuesday November 26, plus our Restaurant of the Year winner, too.

Know More

World Of Food Abu Dhabi Consumer Event

Welcome to World of Food Abu Dhabi a culinary journey of funky street food, from more than a dozen countries. Featuring savory and sweet food dishes, our Chefs will prepare quirky, eye catching Instagrammable dishes.

Join us for delicious dishes, incredible demonstrations from Michelin star chefs, divine desserts, live entertainment and a guinness world record will be broken all at the park.

Whether you want to sample the delicacies, enjoy live music, entertain the kids, eat your way around the globe or find that something special for the kitchen; World of Food has it covered.

5 - 9 December 2019 | Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi

Know More

SIALTrade Event

The 2019 edition of SIAL Middle East will run from 9 - 11 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. If you attended the event this year, get ready to be amazed yet again with an even bigger event as thousands of never before seen products in the region will be on display.

Know More

UAE National Coffee Championships Trade Event

The specialty coffee industry is a key part of the region’s rapidly expanding food and beverage industry and to strengthen the incredible growth of the specialty coffee scene in the Middle East, three official competitions, certified by World Coffee Events (WCE) and sanctioned by the Specialty Coffee Association will take place at SIAL Middle East.

The UAE National Coffee Championships will take place from 9th - 11th December 2019 at SIAL Middle East in Abu Dhabi, bringing together the region's most passionate and talented baristas.

Know More

UAE National Coffee Championships Trade Event

The specialty coffee industry is a key part of the region’s rapidly expanding food and beverage industry and to strengthen the incredible growth of the specialty coffee scene in the Middle East, three official competitions, certified by World Coffee Events (WCE) and sanctioned by the Specialty Coffee Association will take place at SIAL Middle East.

The UAE National Coffee Championships will take place from 9th - 11th December 2019 at SIAL Middle East in Abu Dhabi, bringing together the region's most passionate and talented baristas.

Know More

Gahwa Championships Trade Event

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi will pioneer the first Gahwa Championships in the UAE capital in December 2019. Building on the success of its Bait Al Gahwa initiative, which aims to document and protect Gahwa as an essential element of Emirati culture, the Championships will test the knowledge and practice of competitors from across the region in areas such as the heritage of Gahwa; bean selection and roasting; and Gahwa preparation and serving. The Championships will also feature categories specific to roasting as well as a beverage concept award.
Know More

Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition Trade Event

The date fruit is synonymous to Northern Africa and the Middle East region. Having said that, there is no better place than Abu Dhabi to host the inaugural edition of Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition (ADDPE), the world’s only dedicated B2B event for date palm fruit.

To be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs And Chairman of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the 2019 edition of the event will be held from 9 – 11 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition will be co-located with SIAL Middle East, the region’s fastest-growing food, beverage, and hospitality event.

Know More

Delicious DealsPromotion

As part of Abu Dhabi Culinary Season, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a city-wide promotion that will see multiple restaurants and malls across Abu Dhabi offer diners amazing meals at jaw-dropping prices.

Abu Dhabi Culinary Season, which will run from 14 November to 14 December, will include the Delicious Deals promotion, which will give food-lovers even more reason to take a break from their daily routine and take advantage of some mouth-watering food promotions.

From brilliant burgers and super salads to ‘sinful’ sweets and treats, food-fans will be able to find it all under the Delicious Deals umbrella at loads of their favourite food outlets. Visit restaurants that are on board until December 14th to take advantage of these exclusive deals.