Emirates Palace appoints Sandro Gamba as new Executive Chef

With an illustrious career spanning more than twenty five years of experience in premier hotels around the world, Gamba will now be based in Abu Dhabi at the helm of all sixteen restaurants located within the prestigious 5-star hotel. Gamba is mindful of both the demands and rewards of such a huge undertaking.

He comments, "I can think of few greater opportunities for a chef than to be for the kitchens at the iconic Emirates Palace. It may be complex to cook delicious cuisine for sixteen restaurants at once but it is a unique opportunity that will put my work, and that of my team, on a global stage. People from are coming to Abu Dhabi at the moment so I look forward to servicing the diverse needs of our customers and the complexity of the hotel structure of a hotel this size."

Expertly tutored and strongly influenced by the likes of Joel Robuchon and Alain Ducasse, Sandro Gamba has received over 2,000 rapturous reviews across major international publications. With a refreshing focus on quality produce and service, Gamba has also been awarded an impressive array of high-profile awards, including nominations forBest Chef; Best American New Chef at the 2001 Food and Wine Magazine Awards and One of the World's Best Chefs by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences in 1999.

He adds, "Whether I'm working in Chicago where nothing grows in the cold, or Abu Dhabi where nothing grows in the heat, the key is to forge good relationships with quality suppliers to ensure you have the freshest seasonal ingredients. I love to be able to interact with our customers and find they're always interested to know more about where the food is sourced from and how we achieve our delicious menus."

As Executive Chef, Gamba will lead a team across a staggering 128 kitchens, managing all of the Palace's restaurants from Mezlai, the first Emirati Restaurant in the UAE, to the Time Out award-winning Italian Mezzaluna and the traditional Lebanese DiwanL'Auberge. He is also redesigning the concept of restaurant Sayadwith a plan to open later in the year as his signature restaurant, transforming it into a chic, classical brasserie serving favouriteseafood dishes with a modern twist.

Mr Bugra Berberoglu, Emirates Palace General Manager, comments, "With a wealth of experience across the board - from launching new restaurants and driving a new creative vision to upholding the highest culinary standards and training - Sandro Gamba brings passion, professionalism and the highest levels of skill and expertise to Emirates Palace."