The 7th annual Italian Cuisine World Summit kicks off in Dubai this week with a range of events to satisfy even the most discerning food lovers. Organisers have brought in 25 chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy to serve up signature tasting menus, host cookery classes and work alongside the executive chefs of Dubai’s best Italian restaurants.
Rosario Scarpato, the summit’s director, says the event is much more than celebrated chefs visiting the emirate. He emphasises the importance of Dubai’s own Italian chefs who are committed to serving authentic Italian cuisine.
“For us, Michelin stars are not important. Without our Italian chefs in Dubai, we can do nothing with the summit,” he says. “I will never stop thanking the. The aim of this event is to make people aware of Italian cuisine and Italian tradition. We need to keep our identities as Italians. If we lose the identity of Italian chefs, of Italian products and of Italian ingredients, people will have no reason to go to an Italian restaurant,” .
• The Italian Cuisine World Summit runs from Tuesday October 27 until November 5. Here are the highlights:
Michelin-starred cuisine
Twenty-five chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants will be in Dubai cooking at the best Italian restaurants in the emirate. Each chef will cook for four nights in the host restaurants, which include Bice Mare in Souk Al Bahar; Cavalli Club; Roberto’s; Alta Badia; Frankie’s; Positano and many more.
For serious food-lovers
Book a ticket for an event at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel on November 1. All of the summit’s Michelin-starred guest chefs and the best Italian chefs in Dubai will be at the event serving their signature bites for guests. You may never have the chance again to taste this much Michelin-starred cuisine under one roof. Tickets are just Dh200 and space is limited. Reception from 7pm to 8pm. Gala from 8pm to 11pm.
Cooking with culinary masters
A handful of the visiting Michelin-starred chefs will host cookery classes during the summit. Each chef will demonstrate his signature dishes and offer guests a taster of each. During the sessions, the chefs will discuss topics such as the authenticity of Italian cuisine, how to innovate and traditional versus modern recipes and more.
Morning and afternoon classes will be held on November 2, 3 and 5 at Scafa, the School of Culinary and Finishing Arts in Dubai. The masterclasses are all free of charge. Scafa is in JLT, cluster 1, Unit 16, Promenade Level. Advance booking is essential. Book through Scafa to secure your spot. 04 379 4044.
Italian Dine Around
The Ultimate Italian Progressive Dinner includes a three-course meal at three different restaurants within the Jumeirah Group. Start with antipasto in Alta Badia; head to Trattoria Toscana by way of Maserati for your main; then continue on by boat for a sweet final course in Segreto. November 2, starting at 6pm. Dh1,300. To book the dinner, email info@itchefs-gvci.com.
Gourmet Golf Experience
Dubai's first Michelin Gourmet Golfing experience will be held on November 3 at The Address Montgomerie Dubai Golf Course. The event will treat golfers to a day on the course peppered with canapés from visiting Michelin-starred chefs every few holes. Don't fill up on the course, though, as the event ends with a five-course poolside gala dinner from 6pm to 11pm, also prepared by Michelin-starred chefs. The golf outing starts at 12.30pm. Dh1,300 per person. To reserve a spot with a 50 per cent discount on the registration fee, visit italiancuisinesummit.com/Dubai/bookgolfingday.php.
• Full details on the summit can be found on italiancuisinesummit.com/Dubai/program.php
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