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On Thursday 16th April, the Royal Pavilion Villas by Qasr Al Sarab transformed into a glamourous venue to host the closing ceremony of the inaugural Anantara Gourmet 2015 with the first Gala Masquerade Ball held in the Liwa desert.
Hosting five acclaimed international Chefs, the evening started with a bubbly cocktail reception sponsored by Laurent-Perrier and complimented by oysters freshly shucked by Chef Xavier Caille, currently holding the title of World Oyster Shucking Champion. The following five-course menu featured culinary preparations from three internationally acclaimed Chefs and two of Anantara’s Executive Chefs, with paired cellared beverages. Among the Chefs were Michelin starred Henrik Yde-Andersen and Igor Macchia, Australian Chef Mike Tafe, chocolatier ‘Sugar Hari’ and Anantara’s Chefs Yves Lafond and Aztaj Eddoukani. The dinner featured gastronomic delights such as the Frozen Red Curry Lobster and Lychee by Chef Henrik, a dish served at “Kiin-Kiin”, his Michelin starred Thai restaurant in Copenhaguen, and ended on a sweet note with SugarHari’s dessert specially crafted for the occasion, “Qasr Al Sarab Sweet Dunes”, a mouth-watering chocolate mousse duo ingeniously plated as rising sand dunes.
The evening was hosted beneath the stars by Richard Dean from the Business Breakfast on Dubai Eye Radio 103.8FM as Master of Ceremonies. The highlight of the gala was a charity auction where a host of exclusive items were displayed to raise funds for Make-A-Wish UAE foundation, such as luxury stays with Anantara Hotels in Bangkok and the Maldives, an exciting three day Maserati test drive combined with a stay in an Anantara One Bedroom Pool Villa at Qasr Al Sarab, a Year of Monthly Massages from Anantara Spa and a unique piece of art by Australian artist Des Spencer specially painted for the occasion and attracting the highest bid on the night. Thanks to the contribution of the enthusiastic attendees, the auction raised a total AED 35,000 for Make-A-Wish foundation UAE.
Extra touches such as a Davidoff cigar lounge and lively entertainment from the Colombian Diamond Duo and the four piece band Souled Out featuring the impressive vocals of Naz Holland, made for a memorable evening amidst a lavish oasis.
Speaking about the success of the event, Area General Manager, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Mr Wael Soueid said,
‘Our first Anantara Gourmet event has been received extremely well by the people of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As a week- long celebration of food and beverage we featured a programme of some 30-plus events, from cooking classes, degustation menus, afternoon teas and brunches. The week culminated in a grand finale at Qasr Al Sarab in the Empty Quarter with a lavish evening designed to showcase flavours, wonderful entertainment and ultimately to raise funds for our beneficiary charity Make-A-Wish UAE. The feedback from the visiting chefs as well as our guests has been very encouraging and as a result, we are pleased to announce that Anantara Gourmet will return again in October in 2016’.
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