Gulf's hospitality industry gets major education boost

A powerful programme of 21 seminars and masterclasses has been designed specifically for entrepreneurs and trade professionals and features world-leading restaurateurs, masterchefs, celebrated visionary consultants and special industry guests.

"This is a rare opportunity for the Arabian Gulf's hospitality industry to access the knowledge these experts have acquired over many years," said Nasser Al Reyami, Director Tourism Standards, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is presenting the Gourmet Abu Dhabi 10-day culinary odyssey.

"The forum is a key plank in our programme of encouraging the local and regional hospitality sector on to ever great heights and ensuring we deliver products of the highest possible quality and service," he added

The Forum gets underway at Abu Dhabi's Armed Forces Officers Club on Sunday, February 8. That's when Carlo Sacco, co-owner of the acclaimed two-Michelin-star Italian restaurant Piccolo Lago, Hélene Samuel, one of the most visionary restaurant consultants in France, international food and beverage consultant MPS Puri and Patrick C. Willis, CEO of the dynamic Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation come together to explore 'What Makes A Successful Restaurant?'

The programme then runs until February 14 and covers: a beverage masterclass with expert baristas and mixologists; hospitality and culinary education; Arabian hospitality; a pastry industry programme and masterclasses by a host of Michelin-award-winning chefs.

"A large number of these events are being made available free-of-charge to delegates who recognise the benefit of advice from the best-in-the-business," added Al Reyami.

Masterchef Annie Feolde, the French woman who holds three Michelin stars and has become a byword for authentic Italian cuisine from her adopted country, has praised Abu Dhabi's commitment to education.

Annie, who will deliver a masterclass on the epitome of Italian fine cooking on February 14th, commented, "We are all committed to passing on knowledge and by providing these events free-of-charge, Abu Dhabi is clearly demonstrating its commitment to education to all involved in the industry."

Gourmet Abu Dhabi is a new annual, world-class event which features a cast of eminent masterchefs holding, between them, 24 Michelin stars and 40 headline events across 13 premier venues in the UAE capital.