World-renowned chef Alain Ducasse opens a pop-up restaurant in AlUla
And it’s opening real soon…
He’s one of the biggest names in gastronomy. Just when you thought the world-renowned chef has reached his pinnacle, Chef Alain Ducasse goes and offers something new and exciting for his privileged guests.
Hot on the heels of his recently launched École Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio, the first Middle Eastern outpost of his acclaimed culinary institute, Chef Ducasse is ready to put a stamp on Saudi Arabia’s food scene with a pop-up restaurant in AlUla.
Enter Ducasse in AlUla. Set to open on Saturday January 20 for a limited period, the highly anticipated pop-up dining experience will be located adjacent to the ancient heritage site of Jabal Ikmah.
Nestled against the picturesque backdrop of AlUla’s iconic oasis palm trees, Ducasse in AlUla will be the first oasis-to-table concept celebrating the vibrant palette of flavours unique to AlUla. It will be helmed by executive chef Afonso Salvação Barreto, one of Chef Ducasse’s young protégés.
Diners can expect a carefully curated menu integrating local ingredients sourced from nearby farms and traditional flavours, with the finest French culinary traditions. Each dish promises to be a celebration of the region’s cultural heritage, with flavours of Saudi Arabia, France, and the whole Middle Eastern region.
Meanwhile, the interiors for Ducasse in AlUla has been thoughtfully designed by French designer Aliénor Béchu and Donald Bovy from Volume ABC to seamlessly harmonise with the surrounding environment. The restaurant’s architectural integration with the natural landscape reflects a deep respect for the region’s allure and natural heritage, providing diners with an unparalleled dining experience that bridges history and innovation.
Ducasse started his career in 1972 as a 16-year-old in France, before working for restaurants, including Michel Guérard, Gaston Lenôtre, Alain Chapel and legendary chef Roger Vergé’s Moulin de Mougins. Ducasse restaurants currently hold 20 Michelin stars worldwide.
Commenting on his visit to AlUla with Chef Afonso, Chef Ducasse said, “We were curious to discover and impressed to taste produce from the local farms. You have these natural oases growing everything from the dates and citrus the area is famous for, to green vegetables of all sorts. The region is in the middle of an ambitious project to diversify the economy and create opportunities for the local community. The agricultural training scheme is offering help to local farmers to supply the ingredients of the quality and scale required for the increasing hospitality offer.”
Those who cannot wait to taste Chef Ducasse’s cuisine can head down for an exclusive pop-up from January 20, which will offer delights by Chef Afonso.
Ducasse in AlUla, Opens Jan 20.
Visit: ExperienceAlUla.com
Images: Provided