Culinary stars descend on Abu Dhabi this January for 50 best’s exclusive dining series
PARTNER CONTENT: This January, Abu Dhabi transforms into a gastronomic paradise as the highly anticipated Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards return on 28 January 2025.
Adding to the excitement is the exclusive Signature Sessions dining series, a centerpiece of the event’s vibrant programme.
Abu Dhabi will host a lineup of unforgettable dining experiences curated by the very best, making the capital the ultimate destination for gourmands and connoisseurs alike.
The ‘50 Best Signature Sessions’ will bring together acclaimed chefs from around the globe and leading culinary figures in the MENA region, working with renowned local chefs and restaurants in the UAE capital to produce one-of-a-kind dining experiences that offer consumers an exclusive taste of 50 Best.
Saturday, 25 January
The series kicks off with ‘Flavours of 50 Best’, an evening brunch, at Graphos Social Kitchen in Hilton Yas Island, from 6.30pm-10pm.
The event will feature culinary talents, including Eduard Zatruch from Disfrutar (currently The World’s Best Restaurant), alongside 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).
The full brunch experience will include drinks offerings a-plenty created by Raminta Ambroževičiūtė from LPM Dubai, as well as premium food stations to suit every taste, priced at AED 595. For bookings, visit the link here
Alongside ‘Flavours of 50 Best’, the ‘50 Best Signature Sessions’ will also offer consumers incredible dining opportunities throughout Abu Dhabi.
Sunday, 26 January
At Fouquet’s in Louvre Abu Dhabi, Jason Atherton, the innovative chef behind Row on 45 in Dubai, will join forces with Balveer Balkissoon of Fouquet’s to create a unique fusion of modern British and refined French cuisine in the stunning cultural surroundings of Saadiyat Island.
Meanwhile, at Ryba, nestled in Al Mina Souq near Zayed Port, Sara Aqel of Dara Dining in Amman will collaborate with acclaimed Emirati chef Faisal Alharmoodi to showcase the vibrant flavours of Jordan and the UAE, celebrating the essence of Middle Eastern gastronomy.
Finally, Norbert Niederkofler, the driving force behind sustainable Italian dining at Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler (No.52 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 extended list) in Brunico, Italy, will collaborate with Luigi Stinga at Talea by Antonio Guida, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
Other events will feature celebrated chef Hélène Darroze with Chef de Cuisine David Tavernier at Bord Eau, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi.
Monday, 27 January
Visionary chef Fayçal Bettioui will team up with Marshall Röth in the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, the sessions will also include other one-off collaborations including world-class Japanese chef Takeshi ‘Goh’ Fukuyama at Strawfire by Ross Shonhan, nestled within the opulent Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
Wednesday, 29 January
At Catch at St. Regis, José Avillez, the pioneering chef from Belcanto in Lisbon (currently No.31 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list), will collaborate with Head Chef Kessav Kutwaroo to present a seven-course, four-hands tasting menu highlighting the finest regional fish and seafood.
Another event will take place at award-winning Oak Room, The Abu Dhabi Edition featuring well-known chef Eddie Castro with Chef de Cuisine Fernando Tapia.
Thursday, 30 January
At José by Pizarro in the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Johanne Siy of Lolla in Singapore, awarded Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023, will work alongside Carlos Ortiz to create an intimate experience centred around snacks and sharing plates
Also, Chef Sergio Cabrera will host an exceptional evening of gastronomic creativity and will be joined by Mostafa Seif.
Together, these events promise to offer food enthusiasts a chance to experience the best of global and regional gastronomy in Abu Dhabi this January.
25-30 January, various restaurants. To discover the full programme, visit Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants
Follow Yalla for all the latest food and drink news