Social, the flagship Italian restaurant of Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, has announced plans for its first collaborative pop-up since its late 2022 rebrand.
The Italian eatery will welcome Greek chef Valentina Argyropoulou for a special four-night, four-hands dinner experience, which will see her work alongside head chef Carmine Faravolo to create a one-off Mediterranean fusion experience.
The pair will invite a select number of diners to join them in the kitchen for an exclusive, seven-coures chef’s table experience from January 25 to 29, while a five- or seven-course blind degustation menu will also be offered in the main restaurant on January 27 and 28.
It’s a collaboration that Faravolo says has been a long time coming. “Chef Valentina and I met 11 years ago at Adamo restaurant in Athens, Greece. Although we didn’t work together for a long time, we built a very strong relationship and while we’ve continued on our own journeys, we keep in touch, share food and culinary experiences, and update each other on our personal lives.
“Now, after many years, she had a chance to take a break from her job, and we discussed the possibility of a collaboration. In addition to being a wonderful chef, Valentina is a wonderful person with a great personality so I’m delighted to be making this a reality.”
While the menu will remain tightly under wraps, Faravolo says the aim is to draw upon the cultural heritage of both chefs’ home countries, highlighting the many areas of commonality between Italian and Greek cuisine.
“In terms of culture, history and products, Italy and Greece are very similar,” he explains. “Having visited Greece several times, I can tell you that the food there is outstanding.
“Our motto for this collaboration is ‘una faccia una razza’, a popular saying meaning ‘one face, one culture’. We are proud to present a one-of-a-kind Mediterranean culinary experience unlike any other, where our guests feel like they are stepping into Italy and Greece, and experiencing the flavours of the Mediterranean at its finest.”