This category is one of Gault&Millau France’s biggest successes – and it is one we’re delighted to introduce to the UAE Gala. It does not necessarily recognise a young chef or someone just starting out in their career, instead it recognises a chef who has what it takes to see their restaurant move up to the next level over the coming year.
WINNER
Solemann Haddad
Moonrise
At just 26 years old, Solemann Haddad opened Moonrise at Eden House. The eight-seater omakase restaurant in Satwa hosts two seatings per night. His approach to cooking attempts to capture the flavours and experiences of the region while employing French, Japanese and Middle Eastern techniques. Solemann has a simple philosophy of keeping things home-grown by working as much as possible with the country’s local farmers, mills and suppliers then filling in the gaps with quality global produce. Haddad is one of Dubai’s youngest chefs in the first Gault&Millau UAE guide.
FINALIST
Balveer Balkissoon
Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi
Balveer Balkissoon heads up the kitchen at a restaurant with a legendary address. The chef is based out of Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi, located in the Louvre Abu Dhabi and creates French fine dining cuisine with flair. He crafts dishes using fresh, organic and seasonal ingredients. Balkissoon has over 20 years of experience across Mauritius and France, and has proven his capabilities in the Middle East, by working for five-star hotels including Yas Viceroy Hotel Abu Dhabi, Sheraton Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi and Grand Millennium, Muscat in Oman.
FINALIST
Francesco Magro
The Artisan Il Ristorante
The head chef at The Artisan, Francesco Magro creates stand-out Italian dishes that take their cues from across the breadth of Italy. He started in the Brianza area of Italy before moving to Germany, Belgium and finally the UAE, where he worked in the kitchen at At.mosphere Restaurant & Lounge, then Address Boulevard Dubai where he became head chef. His commitment to craftsmanship and heartfelt cooking is why Magro is being recognised as a Future Great. We can’t wait to see what 2023 holds.
FINALIST
Lorenzo Buccarini
L’Amo Bistro Del Mare
Lorenzo Buccarini is the executive chef at the newly opened L’Amo Bistro Del Mare in Dubai. He began his career in the small town of Rimini in Italy and since then has held several positions across a diverse portfolio of leading concepts around the world including the Disney Cruise Line in the Bahamas, La Petite Maison in both the UK and Turkey and as the Executive Chef at the Aman group in Bali.
Buccarini moved to Dubai where he was appointed Head Chef in charge of Nammos before joining L’Amo Bistro del Mare at Dubai Harbour Yacht Club by Mine Hospitality Dining Group and Sunset Hospitality.
FINALIST
Luigi Stinga
Talea by Antonio Guida
Luigi Stinga joined Talea at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi to create a distinctive selection of seasonal and authentic Italian dishes in a lively setting with an open show kitchen.
With deep roots in Italy, Stinga spent years honing his talents in celebrated restaurants across the country, before joining Mandarin Oriental in Milan as a sous chef in 2016. There he worked under celebrated chef Antonio Guida and learned from the master of Italian cooking. Now heading the kitchen at Talea, Stinga created the menu together with Guida to draw on a “Cucina di Famiglia” – family-style cooking with a focus on presenting delicate and carefully sourced ingredients.