It's a battle for food supremacy at Roberto's Abu Dhabi

Enrico Bartolini and Francesco Guarracino will put their menus to the test and diners will choose the winner

Who will come out on top ... Enrico Bartolini, left, or Francesco Guarracino. Courtesy Tara Atkinson
Powered by automated translation

The battle for cooking supremacy is back at Roberto's Abu Dhabi and the chefs that will be heating up the kitchen are certain to pull a crowd.

In one corner is the restaurant's chief culinary adviser and youngest Italian chef to earn two Michelin-stars, Enrico Bartolini, while in the other is executive chef Francesco Guarracino.

On Wednesday, October 11, foodies in the capital are being invited to what is expected to be a fun, lively evening filled with good food and a side dish of competitiveness.

While diners won't know who cooked what, they are guaranteed a meal of the highest quality with colour and creativity at the fore. Courtesy Roberto's Abu Dhabi
While diners won't know who cooked what, they are guaranteed a meal of the highest quality with colour and creativity at the fore. Courtesy Roberto's Abu Dhabi

Throughout the evening the chefs, each notable in their own right, will discuss their unique preparation techniques, strategy and skills as they deliver a menu of battle-worthy proportions.

The meal will be a mixture of appetisers, shared starters, à la carte mains and desert. Each chef will prepare three of the six courses and the diners will be kept in the dark about which chef has prepared which dish.

At the completion of the meal, dinner guests will vote on the dishes they enjoy the most, essentially deciding the winner of Battle of the Chefs 2.

Presentation is everything, says Francesco Guarracino. Courtesy Roberto's Abu Dhabi
Presentation is everything, says Francesco Guarracino. Courtesy Roberto's Abu Dhabi

Renowned for his raw natural talent and dishes that blend classic Italian dishes with contemporary techniques, Bartolini is excited to be back in Abu Dhabi "working with Francesco and his team and cooking for the guests that are coming to enjoy the battle".

“I will be cooking two dishes that are on the menu in Milan — these will be two exaggerated pleasures," he says. "One is a very succulent fish dish, and the other is a meat dish which is cooked slowly, to become tender and tasty, accompanied with colourful natural sauces."

Guarracino, the reigning champion, is ready to defend the title he won in May.

“I want to ensure that guests in this part of the world love my style and flair of cooking," he says. "We have put a lot of time and thought into the menu to ensure it delights people who come from any corner of the globe who appreciate quality over and above anything else."

Each dinner guest will be served a mixture of dishes. Courtesy Roberto's Abu Dhabi
Each dinner guest will be served a mixture of dishes. Courtesy Roberto's Abu Dhabi

The culinary event of the week at the waterfront restaurant at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island starts from 6.30pm NS will cost interested foodies Dh495 to experience. Seating is limited, to book e-mail reservationsauh@robertos.ae or call 02 627 9009.

Following Wednesday festivities, Bartolini will make his way to Dubai to relaunch the Roberto's Dubai Andiamo brunch, which kicks off on Friday, October 13.

_______________

Read more:

_______________