Akira Back, Massimo Bottura, Heston Blumenthal, José Andrés, Ariana Bundy all have one thing in common — they’re all making a big Dubai debut in 2019.
While there’s already a variety of celebrity restaurant offerings in the city, here’s five big names in the culinary industry making their Dubai debut this year.
1. Massimo Bottura
The number one chef on the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list, Bottura and his Italian restaurant Osteria Francescana entered mass public conciousness after a captivating debut on Netflix’s hit show Chef’s Table. Now opening a Dubai outlet at the W Dubai -The Palm hotel called Torno Subito, Bottura is hoping to recreate some of his Italian magic in the city. Torno Subito will be a first restaurant outside of Italy for the chef, and it promises to “take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy, where the vibe is sophisticated and social, but laid-back”. His only other outpost is the 50-seat Gucci Osteria in Florence.
2. Heston Blumenthal
British chef Heston Blumenthalwill open his third outpost of Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Dubai this year. Blumenthal, along with head chef Ashley Palmer-Watts, will debut Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Dubai inside the Royal Atlantis Resort in 2019. The chef best known for his Michelin star winning concepts Bray and The Fat Duck, said: “The idea behind ‘Dinner’ stemmed from Blumenthal’s fascination with history and gastronomy, which was triggered in the late 90s after reading a 15-century manuscript known as The Vivendier.” Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will include a dedicated bar, two outside terraces and a private dining room. The restaurant will offer contemporary dishes inspired by historic gastronomic recipes dating back to the 1300’s.
3. José Andrés
Named one of the “100 Most Influential People” and “Outstanding Chef” by the James Beard Foundation, José Andrés is no stranger to the culinary world. He will be sharing space with Blumenthal at the Royal Atlantis hotel. His Dubai restaurant Jaleo, will feature signature tapas, traditional Spanish small plates, paellas and cheeses. Andrés’ restaurant group – ThinkFoodGroup – has 31 outlets, including the Michelin-starred minibar by José Andrés, as well as Beefsteak in Washington and Philadelphia, Tres by José Andrés in LA and China Poblano in Las Vegas.
4. Akira Back
Iron chef Akira Back has 11 restaurants in 10 cities around the world and is also making his big Middle East debut in Dubai at W Dubai – the Palm. The snowboarder-turned-chef’s new restuarant will focus on a menu of Japanese Korean cuisine when it opens.
5. Ariana Bundy
Ariana’s Persian Kitchen will open at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences. TV chef and author of “Pomegranates and Roses: My Persian Family Recipes” and travel show, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen is the latest new addition to Royal Atlantis’ impressive celebrity restuarant roster. The restaurant will seat 140 diners and will have a private bar.
