Chef Matthias Diether joins as Chef de Cuisine at Amwaj Restaurant in Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai

Chef Matthias has spent most of his professional life in Michelin-starred kitchens of Europe, working closely with award-winning masters.

An early starter, Chef Matthias discovered his talent for cooking while helping his uncle at his privately owned cooking school. He would attend the classes every week to help his uncle and from here developed his passion and inspiration to become a chef.

Chef Matthias began his career with an apprenticeship at the Hotel Inter-Continental in Stuttgart, Germany. Matthias' CV reads like a Michelin guide: commis saucier in the 2-star Wald-und-Schlosshotel, Ohringen; chef-entremétier in the 2-star Ristorante da Gianni in Mannheim, and in the 3-star Traube Tonbach, Baiersbronn, where he worked under the immensely creative Harald Wohlfahrt, who became an early mentor. The talented Dieter Muller at the 3-star restaurant Dieter Muller in Bergisch Gladbach further influenced Matthias as did his experience at the 2-star Michelin restaurant Aqua at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Wolfsburg.

Matthias moved from Europe to Dubai in 2005 where he joined La Baie at Ritz-Carlton hotel as Chef de Cuisine. Prior to joining Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai Matthias held the position of Chef de Cusine at the seafood restaurant Sayed at Emirates Palace.

Matthias and his team are delighted to offer an exciting new a la carte menu at Amwaj from 22 October 2006. The new menu will offer guests the opportunity to try some of his creative techniques and see his wonderful presentations. Chef Matthias' philosophy is "I always give 120% to ensure my guests are delighted with their food, whilst also having a truly sensational experience."

"Amwaj" when translated means "Waves" has a modern and minimalist style interior design. The restaurant has grown in popularity since opening and attracts a sophisticated and trendy crowd. Key focal points of the restaurant include a beautiful bar, wine wall, two port-hole aquariums and a unique steel sculpture which is a modern interpretation of seaweed.

Amwaj is open daily for lunch from 12h00 to 15h00 and for dinner from 19h00 to 00h00, closed on Sundays.