Jun Tanaka: the celebrity chef
• Favourite meal: “Carabineros – Spanish king prawns, simply grilled whole with sea salt.”
Tanaka is probably best known for his appearances on the Food Network's popular American show Chopped, but he has appeared on many cookery shows in the UK throughout the past decade. During his reign as the executive chef of London's Pearl restaurant (2004 to 2012), he launched Street Kitchen, a food-truck business that brings healthy gourmet food to the masses across the UK. Tanaka competed for – and won – the title of Chopped Grand Champion in 2013, along with US$50,000 (Dh183,650) in prize money, which he invested in his own restaurant (he hopes to open in the spring next year). In the Chefs' Theatre, Tanaka will be cooking venison in a spiced salt crust. "I think this is the best way to cook venison or beef. The salt crust keeps the meat very juicy and gives it a fantastic flavour," he says. Tanaka is excited about his first trip to Abu Dhabi. "I'm truly excited about discovering the best places to eat, especially the local cuisine. It's all about the food. I can't wait to eat my way through Abu Dhabi," he says.
Eric Lanlard: the baker
• Top baking tip: “Baking is a science so accuracy is key. Invest in a good set of weighing scales and an oven thermometer.”
Lanlard, who is better known as the Cake Boy, says he knew he wanted to be a baker at 6 years old. "My town in France [Quimper] was full of the most beautiful patisserie shops. They are like jewellery shops. Everything is so glamorous, from the presentation to the packaging. I was fascinated by all aspects of the industry." He followed his heart and, after a two-year apprenticeship, Lanlard did his national service as a pastry chef in the French Navy. "My role was to create desserts for the captain and his guests," he says. "I loved every second of it." Lanlard has starred in two TV series on Channel 4 in London, Glamour Puds and Baking Mad, and he runs his own boutique shop Cake Boy in south-west London. He'll be baking treats from his latest book Chocolat during his demos at the festival. "Getting to interact with the fans and audience is a thrilling part of the job and incredibly rewarding. Abu Dhabi is very into its food. The city is such an amazing food platform and offers a large touch of glamour," he says.
Jenny Morris: the Giggling Gourmet
• Five foods always in her kitchen: Parmesan cheese, olive oil, butter, anchovies, pasta.
As her moniker suggests, Morris is one happy chef. "I have a great sense of humour. I laugh a lot. I'm positive and happy all the time. And I do giggle." Morris is one of South Africa's most beloved TV food personalities. She's just finished filming Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera for the Food Network. She's also an author, radio presenter, teacher and culinary tour guide, and she develops and tests recipes for major food brands. She's not new to the Taste festival scene. "I love that you get to try dishes from different restaurants," Morris says. "In my view, Taste of Dubai is without a doubt the nicest of the Taste festivals I've been to and I'm expecting Taste of Abu Dhabi to follow suit." For her festival presentations, Morris will be demonstrating easy Mediterranean recipes from her new show. She's also looking forward to discovering the capital. "I have never been to Abu Dhabi before and I'm really very excited about my visit there. I'm told that the food scene is fabulous. I'm looking forward to finding out," says Morris.
sjohnson@thenational.ae
