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The amiable judge of Masterchef Australia George Calombaris is on his way back to the UAE capital after his 2012 debut appearance to present a ‘Star Struck Cook & Lunch’ at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara and a ‘one-night-only’ celebrity dinner at the five-star Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche. Both appearances are part of the 16-day Gourmet Abu Dhabi culinary festival which runs throughout Abu Dhabi city from February 4-19.
During thefour-hour,‘Star Struck Cook & Lunch’ on Saturday, February 15th, where places are limited to 24 guests, Calombaris with take guests through three recipes and then sit down with his ‘students of the day’ for a lunch based on the recipe curriculum.
“This is a rare opportunity for the guests to get up-close-and-personal with George who has won a huge following in his home country and overseas,” said Noura Al Dhaheri of the Gourmet Abu Dhabi organising Committee.
The ‘one-night-only’ celebrity dinner, on February 16th, is part of the Gourmet Abu Dhabi culinary festival and follows the Greek-Australian’s sell-out success at the 2012 event.
“George was an outstanding success two years ago and following guest feedback we invited him back and he was gracious enough to accept,” said Al Dhaheri. “He’s the celebrity element to a simply shimmering star line up we have this year, though with credentials such as being named by Global Food and Wine Magazine as of the world’s Top 40 Chefs of Influence, George has a substantial status himself on the international culinary scene.”
For the 35-year-old masterchef who owns six restaurants in Melbourne and one in Mykonos, Greece, and draws upon his Greek and Greek-Cypriot heritage in his cooking, the return to Abu Dhabi is something of a labour of love.
“I loved Abu Dhabi the first time round,” said George. “I visited the fish market and it was just incredible. You see could the boats coming in and see the anticipation on the faces of the fishmongers and the fish is super fresh and delicious. Abu Dhabi really is wonderful. It’s kind of freeky because it’s so young in terms of the country yet it feels so rich in terms of culture – you can smell it in the air, feel it in your body, it’s an energy that is palpable”
In 2012, George cooked for a sell-out promotion at the Yas IslandRotana this time he’s at one of the newest hotels in the UAE capital and yet again, it’s something of a memory jerker for the Aussie superchef.
“I began my career at a Sofitel - at Melbourne’s Hotel Sofitel under the eye of Raymond Capaldi- so I know the chain’s culture well and hope to feel right at home.
“I’ve been following developments in Abu Dhabi since I was last there and know things have moved on somewhat on Yas Island with the waterpark there – and intend to go back and visit and seen just how much the destination has progressed. I’d also like to catch up with some of the friends I made when cooking at the Yas Island Rotana – we had a great time together.
“I also hope this time to incorporate into my recipes some touches of Arabia that I picked up on my last visit there.”
Tickets for the ‘Star Struck and Lunch’ at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Resort by Anantara are AED600 per person and for the George Calombaris celebrity dinner are AED750 per head and available from www.gourmetabudhabi.ae
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