British and Indian masterchefs join superstar line-up at Dubai Food Carnival 21.01.2015: Chefs Simon Rimmer and Atul Kochhar Join 13 Global Culinary Talents Cooking and Entertaining

Chefs Simon Rimmer and Atul Kochhar Join 13 Global Culinary Talents Cooking and Entertaining at Carnival’s Live-Action Chef’s Dome and Interactive Dubai Food Academy


Dubai Food Carnival presented by Etisalat, one of the headline events of this year’s month-long Dubai Food Festival, has added two more international celebrity chefs – both with popular signature restaurants in Dubai - to the world-class line-up of leading culinary talent participating in the family-friendly food, beverage and entertainment extravaganza, which runs 12-14 February at Dubai International Marine Club.


After being voted ‘Best Exhibition of the Year’ at the 7th Middle East Event Awards, the announcement of international celebrity Chefs Simon Rimmer and Atul Kochhar joining this year’s talent pool takes the total number of local, regional and global culinary stars participating in the 2015 Dubai Food Carnival up to 13.


Chef Rimmer, who opened The Scene in Pier 7, Dubai Marina, earlier this year, and Indian-born and Britain-based Chef Kochhar, who counts Rang Mahal at Dubai’s five-star JW Marriott Marquis among his extensive network of international restaurants, will join celebrity TV stars Silvena Rowe and Manal Al-Alem, the ‘Queen of the Arabian Kitchen’, as well as Indian sensation Sanjeev Kapoor, and Tarek Ibrahim, the region’s undisputed ‘King of the Grill’, in Dubai Food Carnival’s Chef’s Dome – a dedicated live cooking area. 


Well-known on the UK’s TV food scene for his work as the host of Channel Four’s 'Sunday Brunch' and the best-selling author of four books including ‘Lazy Brunch’ and ‘The Seasoned Vegetarian’, Chef Rimmer’s hearty, traditional British dishes with a retro twist have proved a hit with locals and tourists alike at The Scene in Pier 7, Dubai Marina.


Completely self-taught, Rimmer’s unpretentious approach to cuisine began when he opened heralded vegetarian restaurant, Greens, in Manchester at the turn of the 90’s. With a reputation for constantly playing with flavours, textures and combinations, Rimmer culinary diversity saw him front ‘British Sausage Week’ in 2013.


Critically-acclaimed for the modern twists which have changed the way people perceive and experience Indian cuisine, Chef Kochhar - a twice Michelin starred chef - was the first Indian to be awarded a Michelin star in 2001 while Head Chef at the internally-renowned Tamarind of Mayfair in London. After going solo to open Benares Restaurant and Bar, also in Mayfair, Kochhar was subsequently awarded his second Michelin star.


“Participating in Dubai Food Carnival will give me a chance to show Dubai’s public a sprinkling of the fantastic dishes we prepare at Rang Mahal and my other international restaurants,” said Kochhar.


“I always try to only use locally-sourced ingredients so I’m very familiar with Dubai – I had many months touring the city and surrounding areas looking for the highest quality of produce. It will be lots of fun extending my Dubai journey to thousands of fanatical foodies at the Carnival.”


Away from the Chef’s Dome, an array of Dubai’s leading culinary talent will take the general public under their wings and into the kitchen at the Dubai Food Academy presented by Dubai Food Festival. The list of Dubai-based chefs includes Tyson Podolski, Head Chef at Prime 68 in the JW Marriott Marquis;


Russell Impiazzi, Culinary Director of Galleries Lafayette in Dubai Mall; David Cagle, Head Chef for CHI Hospitality brands, St. Tropez Bistro and SoHo Grill; Alex Ferris, Executive Sous Chef at Jones the Grocer;


as well a trio of leading culinary stars from Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai - Taufik Sutisna, Brand Chef of the noodle house; Oscar Rito, Chef Patron of Tortuga Mexican Kitchen and Bar; and Lawrence Wells, Executive Chef of Perry & Blackwelder’s Original Smokehouse.


Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the organiser of Dubai Food Carnival, said: “Dubai Food Carnival provides a platform for international culinary stars and the very best locally-based chefs and restaurants to bring their cutting-edge cuisine to the Dubai public.


With more than 80 food brands including 40 leading restaurants also participating in 2015, this year’s Carnival will build on the successes of the award-winning inaugural event and further cement Dubai’s reputation as the culinary capital of the Middle East.”


With a host of public transport options available to and from Dubai International Marine Club, Dubai Food Carnival organisers have arranged shuttle buses from Nakheel Metro Station and DAMAC Properties Metro Station to the event venue.


The public are also recommended to take the new Dubai Tram service to the Carnival’s location opposite the Mina Seyahi station. In addition, the Carnival’s partnership with Uber will see new subscribers to the world’s leading transport service app rewarded with a promotional code worth AED100 of complimentary travel either to or from the event.


Dubai Food Carnival is open 3pm to 10pm on Thursday 12 February, and 12pm to 10pm on Friday 13 February and Saturday 14 February.  One-day tickets for the Dubai Food Carnival are available for only AED30 per person, while customers of the event’s Official Bank Partner, Emirates NBD, can take advantage of an AED10 discount. 


To ensure the second annual Carnival remains true to its family-friendly roots, children under 12 can enter for free.  All tickets are available from Time Out Tickets (www.timeouttickets.com).  For more information visit: www.dubaifoodcarnival.com.



Katie Johnston / Sara MahmoudmTotal Communications Dubai also photos