Dine with a MasterChef: Australia's 2016 winner Elena Duggan jetting in for Dubai residency

The culinary whiz will host her debut three-day menu at Dubai Marina's MasterChef, the TV Experience restaurant

Elena Duggan, winner of MasterChef Australia 2016, is coming to Dubai
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She got her first taste of fame in 2016 when she won MasterChef Australia, and now Elena Duggan is bringing her winning apron to a kitchen near you.

The Queensland-born chef will host her debut three-day residency in Dubai this month, serving up a five-course menu at MasterChef, the TV Experience restaurant.

Duggan, who beat finalist Matt Sinclair to claim the title in the Australian version of the popular culinary show, will bring her signature flexible approach to the Dubai Marina eatery between Tuesday, 18 February and Thursday, 20 February.

The "flexi" menu can be adapted as gluten-free or vegetarian on request, with the experience designed to showcase Australian flavours and produce in a contemporary fashion.

Proceedings will kick off with an amuse-bouche of lavender goats’ cheese and beetroot relish, served with dukkha.

There are two options for starters: either an octopus and mandarin plate with black olive crumb and oregano, or a dish of pickled, dehydrated and freeze-dried strawberries, plated with almonds, watercress and Australian feta.

For mains, diners can plump for a roasted pumpkin and burrata, serviced with orange confit and sage pesto, or duck breast with Muscat grapes, verjuice and Jerusalem artichoke hummus. The latter dish is inspired by Duggan's quail and grapes dinner, which she served during her run on MasterChef.

After a palate cleanser of watermelon, pineapple and ginger, the menu will finish up with Duggan's fig, chocolate, wattleseed and macadamia dessert.

“I’m really excited to be bringing my flexible five-course menu to Dubai and I can’t wait to see MasterChef, the TV Experience restaurant up close,” said the chef, who has since become known for her gluten-free approach, ahead of her visit.

Duggan's fig, chocolate, wattleseed and macadamia dessert
Duggan's fig, chocolate, wattleseed and macadamia dessert

Duggan's five-course menu will cost Dh329 per person, and includes a welcome drink. The chef will also host a gluten-free masterclass during her time in the UAE, held at MasterChef, the TV Experience on Wednesday, February 19 between 5pm and 7pm.

The class, which costs Dh489 with soft drinks or Dh649 with house beverages, will offer diners the chance to learn how to cook her duck and grapes dish.

MasterChef, the TV Experience, which opened last year at located at Millennium Place Marina, features a year-round menu full of dishes crafted by the international series' contestants.

Simon Wood, winner of the UK edition's 11th season in 2015, has previously hosted a residency at the first-of-its-kind restaurant.

To book Elena Duggan's three-night menu, call 04 550 8111 or visit www.masterchefdxb.com.