Of Celebrity Chefs and Gulf Sheiks

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Read The New York Times on Qatar and you will start to understand why celebrity chefs are flocking the Gulf States in increasing numbers. Follow the money. Just as chefs rushed to Las Vegas to open restaurants after Wolfgang Puck proved that customers were willing to pay for a fine dining meal rather then fill up at the trough at one of the bargain all-you-can-eat buffets - chefs are eyeing Dubai and Qatar with increasing interest. These city-states have lured shopping and sports tourists, and businesspeople, and they have ample local wealth to support many celebrity chef restaurants. What else? They hold conventions, meetings, and international diplomatic talks – all of which need restaurants and caterers. Super Chef decided to take a look at which chefs have opened or are planning to open restaurants in the Gulf. By the way, Wolfgang Puck did have a restaurant in Kuwait, now shuttered. Here is a non-exhaustive round-up: Gordon Ramsay runs Verre at the Dubai Hilton Creek Hotel. Rumor has it that Gordon is also eyeing The Pearl-Qatar, the United Development Company's waterfront development in Doha. Last year, Gary Rhodes opened the Rhodes Mezzanine Restaurant in Dubai's The Grosvenor House. Pierre Gagnaire recently opened Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire at the InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival. Jean-Georges Vongerichten is opening this summer at the W Doha a version of his Spice Market. Last, are the restaurants on Dubai's new artificial island, the Palm Jumeirah specifically at the Atlantis Resort opening up this fall. Among the 17 restaurants are a Nobu from Nobu Matsuhisa, a restaurant from British chef Giorgio Locatelli, and finally, Ossiano from French chef Santi Santamaria. Look for more celebrity chef restaurants in the coming years, as well as more local celebrity chefs gaining notoriety. Previous articles: Vancouver: Daniel Boulud and Jean-Georges Voongerichten Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging --> back to Super Chef