Expo 2020 Dubai, which is scheduled to run till end of March next year, is where you should be if you see yourself as a gourmet. Because diners around the globe are having a great time here indulging in innovative tasting menus from visiting international Michelin star rated chefs, sample restaurants that have never been seen in the region and trying Dubai&rsquos local gems. The launch weekend of the Expo saw the world&rsquos first ever African dining hall, Alkebulan, where world-renowned African chefs brought authentic African cuisine, led and hand-selected by James-Beard-Award-winning chef Alexander Smalls.
Here&rsquos a selection of international chefs who have been serving up a variety of culinary delights at the Expo
Jordan Bailey
The chef-owner of Aimsir in Kildare, Ireland (UK) is hosting a tasting menu at Jubilee Gastronomy. Aimsir opened its doors in 2019 and was awarded two Michelin stars just five months later. Bailey is only one of a handful of chefs to have gained the accolade in such a short time span.
Rohit Ghai
He has headed kitchens at some of London&rsquos leading Indian restaurants such as Benares, Trishna, Gymkhana, Hoppers, Jamavar and Bombay Bustle. Rohit&rsquos Ghai restaurant &ndash Kutir - pays homage to India's rich heritage and wildlife with a modern menu inspired by the history and splendour of this magnificent part of the world. He is the first Indian chef to have won a Michelin star for Jamavar, which was achieved within ten months of the restaurant&rsquos opening.
Najem
This well-known chef from Beirut has created a wealth of prestigious projects across West Asia as an advisory chef and consultant. He has also hosted various shows on Qatar TV.
Fatih Tutak
Globetrotter Chef Tutak was born and raised in Istanbul, and is today known for curating innovative Turkish cuisine which perfectly balances culinary sensibility and a sense of humour. Chef Fatih helms the team at The Dining Room of The House on Sathorn, which has been listed among Asia&rsquos 50 Best Restaurants. You may find him at Jubilee Gastronomy.
Christelle Vougo
This celebrity chef from Ivory Coast manages three high-end restaurants Normina, a local reference for American classics Le Saakan, which specialises in African gastronomy and Le Mondial, a restaurant which enables experimentation, with dishes such as crocodile meat. Check out if she is still cooking at Alkebulan, the African dining hall.
Urosh Mitrasinovic
Take a ride through Balkan Peninsula&rsquos culinary trail with Chef Urosh Mitrasinovic. Hailing from Serbia, Chef Urosh is an alumnus of 21grams. The homegrown, neighbourhood eatery has become a firm favourite with the foodies of Dubai for its honest yet daring Balkan soul food, inspired by the wonderful melting pot of cultures of the Balkan region.
Roaya Saleh
The founder of Villa Mamas, a restaurant that serves local cuisine with Mediterranean influences in the Saar suburb of Bahrain, Saleh has promoted Bahraini food, not only in her country, but across the GCC.
Alfredo Russo
Today, after a series of international roles, Chef Alfredo Russo is the manager of a restaurant located in one of the most magnificent Royal Palaces, the Palace of Venaria. Alfredo opened the Dolce Stil Novo restaurant at the age of 22, with three years of hard work earning him a Michelin star.
Chakall
Speaking seven languages, Chakall is a true citizen of the world. Chakall owns a catering company, has created several restaurant concepts in Portugal and is also Executive Chef for various restaurants in China, the Algarve and the Gulf of Guinea. At Expo 2020, Chakall will introduce his franchises, Chakburger and the upcoming Chakachicken, to the market.
Nader Al Aisari
The soul of Muscat&rsquos popular restaurant Tanzanite, Nader&rsquos enthusiasm for Omani ingredients and his gregarious, likeable nature has made him an ambassador for the country&rsquos cooking. Chef Nader will be cooking at Rising Flavours, the three-storey dining hall which highlights the range and creativity of the Gulf region&rsquos vibrant and ever-evolving food scene.
Other famous chefs you may bump into are Athanasios Kargatzidis, Mame Sow, Geoffrey Zakarian, Bart Thoelen, Egor Anisimov, Kim Kevin de Dood, Pina, and Davisha Burrowes.
