The Best of Dubai: A Dining Experience to put city on world culinary map

Author aims to make Dubai food capital of the world by '21 end

OVER 158,000 READS and counting, the recently launched free digital book The Best Of Dubai: A Dining Experience already enjoys popularity most literary releases can only dream of, though the overall journey is merely in its infancy according to local author and WG Magazine publisher Flavel Monteiro. At a Conrad Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road conference yesterday the food expert said he believes his creation to be the catalyst required to make Dubai the “culinary destination of the world by the end of 2021.”

The Best Of Dubai: A Dining Experience profiles 34 of the city’s top chefs, their restaurants and showcases a handful of their most popular recipes. Made in association with organisations including Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and with forwards written by regional dining and travel experts, it was VP F&B Strategy & Development for Hilton Hotels & Resorts EMEA, Emma Banks, who said at the event: “People always ask me for recommendations where they should eat when visiting here. Now I can send them a link to this book.”

“We have the best chefs in Dubai, however there has never been a sense of togetherness,” Monteiro stated about his work. “For me The Best Of Dubai was a plan to start the process of putting all these chefs together and I believe that I have achieved this.”

The piece has a heavy UAE flavour, boasting an interview with Sheikha Latifah Al Maktoum giving her take on traditional local dishes. Emirati chef, Mussabbeh Al Kaabi, is also one of the featured 34 and puts his name to various recipes.

The first edition of The Best Of Dubai, however, is just the beginning says Monteiro. Building on its rapid success he announced the inception of Great Dubai Chefs (GDC), a yearly compilation of the Emirate’s most innovative culinary masters.

“The 34 in the book will be the first induction to the GDC,” Monteiro said. Over the coming 12 months they will convene to discuss initiatives including combating food waste, promoting Emirati cooking and eventually putting on ‘the world’s biggest and longest brunch.’

“First though I want them to start cooking together; four or six in each other’s restaurants,” Monteiro said.

A team of industry professionals, DTCM and international media will also spend the year deciding who should enter the 2021 edition of Great Dubai Chefs and the latest The Best Of Dubai.

“WG Magazine will come up with a quarterly digital publication to ensure the world knows about these brilliant restaurants,” said Monteiro.

“Dubai is unique. We have over 200 nationalities with an unbelievable collection of cuisines all in one place and this makes us special. By the end of 2021 let’s make Dubai the culinary capital and show the world we are best.”

You can check out The Best Of Dubai: A Dining Experience for free on wgmagazines.com/books

• Food and Dining