It doesn't come as much of a surprise that Dubai is home to some of the world's most talented chefs, given that the emirate is often celebrated for providing its residents and visitors quite exquisite culinary experiences.
Last week, the world's 100 most celebrated chefs were ranked at The Best Chef Awards ceremony in Barcelona, Spain. One of the chefs is >Grégoire Berger, the only UAE-based chef to make it on the list.
Emerging at No. 49, Berger was honored for his work in heading the widely popular Dubai restaurant Ossiano.
The seafood fine dining, located in the emirate's Atlantis, The Palm, is known for serving award-winning dishes including the popular North Sea langoustine meal, "which chef Berger says is akin to a work of art."
In his comment on the feat, Berger said he was thrilled to make it to the award's top 50 list. The event he was honored at is considered one of the biggest culinary competitions globally and aims to celebrate the talents of the world's top chefs.
"To be considered as one of the top 50 chefs in the world and to be amongst so many talented professionals, whom I deeply admire, is a dream come true," he said.
The French chef didn't only celebrate his 49th place on the list as he also won the event's "Fol-LOVERS" award for the second time in a row. The award is annually handed out to the chef who gets the highest number of votes by the public and media.
"I am so honored to have won the 'Fol-LOVERS' award for the second year running and to have been recognized by the public, media and my peers as a deserved winner of this prestigious accolade," the celebrated chef said in a statement.
Other UAE affiliated chefs received nods at the award ceremony
Though they don't live in the UAE full time, several other culinary masterminds who opened restaurants in the country were also mentioned during The Best Chef Awards ceremony.
These include Virgilio Martinez, who came in at No. 6 for his Peruvian restaurant Lima. A Dubai branch of the outlet was opened at City Walk in 2017.
Another talent honored on the list is French chef Yannick Alléno, who came in 12th for his Parisian restaurant Pavilion Ledoyen. Alléno oversees several eateries in Dubai's One&Only Palm Jumeirah including Zest, 101, and Stay.
Italian chef Massimo Bottura was ranked 13th for his Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy. The chef is known to have opened his first eatery outside of Italy at W Dubai – The Palm.