The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal to host Gourmet Abu Dhabi gala opening

The gala will be the first public event at the Renaissance-designed luxury five-star hotel with over 700 guests due at what has become one of the UAE capital's most anticipated seasonal events. The Gala Opening enables guests to mingle with Michelin-starred masterchefs and culinary celebrities, sample tasting selections and get a 'sneak preview' of what's in store during the festival which runs from 5-20 February across 20 of Abu Dhabi's fine dining outlets.

"We anticipate there will be significant interest in this event as much for the chance to see the magnificent new Abu Dhabi National Hotels-owned property as to engage with the Gourmet Abu Dhabi cast and their offering," said Noura Al Dhaheri, Leisure Products Development Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the festival organiser. "As the evening will also mark the opening of the festival's landmark fifth anniversary, we are planning a celebratory-style event which we suspect will be the talk of the city long after the guest have left."

Starring on the night will be Michelin-starred French TV personality chefs Cyril Lignac and Philippe Etchebest, with fellow compatriot and emblematic figure of Toulouse gastronomy, Michel Sarran. The UAE's very own Chef Khulood Atiq will take centre stage, joined by Japan's Shinichiro Takagi, a master of traditional 'kaiseki' cuisine. Also joining the stellar line-up will be Roberto Cerea from Italy's three-starred 'Da Vittorio' restaurant, along with fellow countrymen Mauro Colagreco, considered a virtuoso of a daring and very personal cuisine, and pastry chef par excellence Ernst Knam.

The Gala Opening will be held in the new resort's stunning Roma Ballroom which, with a capacity of 1,000 guests, will be one of the UAE capital's largest hotel ballrooms and the only one with direct, private VIP elevator access.

"We are looking forward to welcoming both the Abu Dhabi and culinary communities alike to The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal," stated Pep Lozano, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. "The fifth anniversary of Gourmet Abu Dhabi is the ideal opportunity to introduce the legendary Ritz-Carlton service to the Emirates' capital."

The Gala Opening event is supported by Gourmet Abu Dhabi's sponsorship partners - Chef Middle East, Premium Gourmet Purveyor Partner; Valrhona, Official Chocolate Partner; Les Vergers Boiron, Official Fruit & Vegetable Puree Partner; Etihad Airways, the UAE's award-winning national carrier, Official Airline Partner; S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, Official Still & Sparkling Mineral Waters Partner; High Spirits, Official Beverage Partner; Steelite International, Official Fine Porcelain Tableware Partner; African + Eastern, Beverage Partner; Spinneys Abu Dhabi, Beverage Partner; Nepresso, Official Coffee Partner; Miele, Premium Kitchen Appliance Partner; Meat & Livestock Australia, Premium Meat Partner; and media partners BBC Good Food Middle East and What's On.