Dubai’s Burj Al Arab adds new celebrity chefs after Outlaw exit

Francky Semblat, Kim Joinie-Maurin and Kasper Kurdahl, who have a combined total of seven Michelin stars, have been unveiled as the hotel’s most recent culinary appointments.

The news follows the recent milestone recruitment of Michael Ellis as chief culinary officer, the former managing director of the Michelin Guide.

While Francky Semblat and Kim Joinie-Maurin are both protégés of the famed Joël Robuchon’s school of excellence, Kasper Kurdahl worked alongside culinary legends like Roger Souvereyns.

The hotel’s Al Muntaha restaurant welcomes Semblat and Sky View restaurant Joinie-Maurin, while Kurdahl joins Al Mahara restaurant.

Last week it was announced that chef Nathan Outlaw and the Burj Al Arab hotel had ended their partnership after two and a half years.

The Cornwall-based chef’s restaurant, Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara, was launched at the hotel in September 2016.

Anthony Costa, regional vice president of Jumeirah Group and managing director of Burj al Arab, said: “I am thrilled to be welcoming chefs Kasper, Francky and Kim to Burj Al Arab. Their experience at some of the world’s best restaurants coupled with their diverse backgrounds and entrepreneurial adventures will pave the path to a wonderful gastronomic journey.”

Jose Silva, Jumeirah Group’s CEO added: “We are very proud to announce the arrival of three new culinary experts at our flagship hotel in Dubai. This appointment reveals the start of a more diversified and innovative culinary offering, in addition to our continued focus on the guest experiences, which is a core element of the luxury industry.

“Dubai’s diverse culinary scene will be a delight for Expo2020 visitors next year, and with over 60 restaurants in Dubai, we are ready to welcome its epicurean guests. This is the start of several other exciting culinary and customer experiences we plan to announce in the near future.”