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ISSUE # 12 THURSDAY JUNE 2, 2016 ** Late Edition AED 2

‘ESSENTIALLY MARCO’ : IN CONVERSATION WITH CELEBRITY CHEF MARCO PIERRE WHITE

FIND MORE INSIDE: LATEST FROM HOLLYWOOD AND BOLLYWOOD NEWS MOVIE + RESTAURANT REVIEWS !

Dubai’s burgeoning food truck scene on Pg 6

A League of Her Own: Ahd Kamel on Pg 4

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INTERVIEW

‘ESSENTIALLY MARCO’ IN CONVERSATION WITH CELEBRITY CHEF MARCO PIERRE WHITE Beat reporter, Kanika Mathur gets some highlights from Michelin starred chef, Marco Pierre White’s cook-book launch, ‘Essentially Marco.’

INTERVIEW then, you allow Mother Nature to be the artist - keep it simple.

What is the most important quality one must have to survive in the restaurant industry?

Commitment. Most people aren’t committed to their careers.

You have mentored Michelin starred chefs Gordon Ramsay, Shannon Bennet and Curtis Stone. What was the experience like?

They just work for me. You cannot be attached to the kitchen, you cannot be emotional. The only thing you are emotional about is the food – not the staff. When people work for you, they can never be your friends. They become your friends once they leave. We’re all in the kitchen to do our job.

What inspired your journey into the Television Industry?

It’s just a job, like a book signing event. It’s not about the fame, I cannot imagine anything worse. I crave the ordinary in my life.

What advice would you like to give to budding chefs out there?

Place your career in the right hands. If you place your career in the wrong hands, you’ll be led astray.

Masterchef Australia and ITV’s Hell’s Kitchen, is well acquainted with Marco Pierre White’s fervor in the kitchen. White’s passion for all things culinary led him to become Head Chef and joint owner of Harveys restaurant in London with a kitchen staff that included the young Gordon Ramsay – all at the tender age of 24. At 33, he was one of the youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars, one of the highest ranks a chef can achieve in their culinary career.

Photo credits : Edge Magazine

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It’s just a job, just like a book signing event. It’s not about the fame, I cannot imagine anything worse. I crave the ordinary in my life.”

If aware of his intimidating demeanor in the kitchen, any trembling sous chef can tell you that the mood of one of the greatest gastronomical experts of his time is like a simmering pot of stock waiting to topple over with just an extra second on the heat.

And if you get the opportunity to stare into his smoldering green eyes, you would know that they’ve seen the world. The wrinkles around his eyes speak volumes about the experiences in his kitchen.

One would think that speaking with a man walking around with anger on the tip of his nose would be akin to opening yourselves up to the blistering flames of hell. But White’s rebellion is just as impressive as the symphony he creates on one’s palate through his food.

With Italian roots and extensive training in classical French cuisine, White has paved the way for contemporary cuisine in Europe. Through his book, ‘Essentially Marco’, White brings readers a collection of recipes that are simple, fool-proof, and fuss-free. Here are a few snippets from a conversation with Marco Pierre White at his book signing event.

Could you tell us a bit about your book?

It’s very simple. We’ve all got a lot of cookery books, we’ve all got a recipe for veal stock, for chicken stock or fish stock. So there’s no point to put these in the book. A book is all about one thing – inspiration. And if you take one idea from a book, then it was worth buying that book.

- Marco Pierre White on his transition into the television

What was the inspiration behind the book?

As I always say, a lot of people who cook at home don’t have great technical ability. So you have to take that into consideration. If someone cannot chop an onion finely, then they use a cheese grater. Be honest with yourself. Before you cook, you have to look at your own technical abilities. And

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industry.

Book cover of Essentially Marco. Photo credits : Arabian Business

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PROFILE FEATURE

PROFILE FEATURE

As the only girl with four brothers, Ahd Kamel knows what it takes to succeed in a man’s world.

Growing up in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the 32-year- old had a supportive family and big ambition. It wasn’t easy to gain support, but with time, her parents were accustomed to the idea of their daughter reaching new heights in the film industry.

“It’s been very tricky. In the beginning they [ parents ] were against it because it’s not something that women would usually do,” says Kamel.

“They were more afraid for me than anything else. But when they realized that I’m actually getting international fame and my films are screening all over the world, it changed. Now they’re like ‘okay we have a star in the family.’”

Kamel went to become the first Saudi to get a directing degree from the United States — after finishing her Bachelors in animation. An assistant and technical advisor for Peter Berg’s “The Kingdom,” she was soon to capture the hearts and minds of her audience as a director, writer and actress.

That was only the beginning. In 2010, her debut film “The Shoemaker” (Al Gondojri), which she wrote, directed and acted in, won the best short film at Beirut International Film Festival, second prize at Dubai’s Gulf Film Festival and the special jury mention at the Arab Film Festival of Oran, Algeria. Kamel’s acting debut “Razan” also won her the best actress award at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2006.

Ahd Kamel on the sets of Wadjda. Photo Credits: IMDB

Her second film, “Sanctity”, was the first Saudi movie to be screened at Berlin Film Festival in February 2013. In the film, Kamel chooses a tricky subject to address women issues in Saudi Arabia including gender segregation by telling the story of “Areej” a pregnant, young Saudi widow who goes against social customs to protect her unborn child, as in Islam, a woman whose husband dies shouldn’t leave the home for four month and ten days.

The fact that women are themselves taking the onus to represent the issues is in itself a huge leap. Where one would consider being a woman as a drawback, Kamel thought of it as an added added advantage. When asked about her journey in the film industry as a woman, Kamel says, “I don’t think it’s very much different. Just becoming a filmmaker is very hard to begin with - trying to tell a story.

“Being a woman was actually an added bonus, being from Saudi was an added bonus because there are very few Saudi women who are doing what I’m doing. So in a way, I opened the door and I think in a way my work got me through that door. I don’t think being a woman or being from Saudi should necessarily mean I’m a good filmmaker, my work speaks for me. But definitely, being a woman in Saudi opened doors for me.”

Through films such as “Wadjda”; (first ever feature length film to be shot in Saudi Arabia by Haifaa Al Mansour in which Kamel plays the lead role), which brings to light the plight of a young girl who wishes to ride her own bike in a country where such actions are frowned upon, it is evident that Arab Cinema is embracing the idea of incorporating the plight of Arab women in the region. A film is made with a message in mind, the story often structured to relay information to the audience. For Kamel, however, the aim of cinema is not to communicate a message, but instead, reach out on an emotional level to the audience.

Photo Credit: Odd Camel Films

Filmmaker, actress, and director, Ahd Kamel has done it all. Beat reporter Kanika Mathur explores Kamel’s Journey through the film industry

Ahd Kamel playing her role as a strict, school principal in Wadjds. Photo Credits: IMDB

“In my opinion, I don’t think films should have a message,” says Kamel.

“It should just reflect the reality of what is going on. And the reality is that women in the region have a lot of issues and that need to be addressed and need to be looked at again. There are some practices that exist that are quite ancient, and I think cinema helps us to see these issues in an emotional way.

“I think when you start debating things, it becomes an intellectual debate and it loses the essence. At the end of the day we’re all human beings and if we can make people feel, then we get to them on a visceral level.”

U E G O A F E L H E A R N I

N W O

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Ahd Kamel in her 2013 film, ‘La Saintiente’. Photo Credits: IMDB

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COMMUNITY

INDUSTRY NEWS

MEALS

Elijah Wood on Rampant Child Sex Abuse in Hollywood ‘Hobbit’ star says that the industry has a dark underbelly

ON WHEELS

Conversations about child sex abuse in Hollywood are not new: in his 2013 book, Coreyography, Corey Feldman detailed the saga of alleged abuse that he and his The Lost Boys co-star Corey Haim faced as emerging child stars. Still, the discussion has yet to gain momentum in the same way that conversations surrounding Bill Cosby’s alleged sex abuse stayed quiet until Hannibal Buress made his now-famous joke. Perhaps this is that moment: Elijah Wood sat down with The Sunday Times to detail what he described as an industry full of “vipers,” where “if you can imagine it, it’s probably happened.”

As the food truck craze takes Dubai by the storm, Beat reporter Kanika Mathur finds out what it really takes to become a successful food-trucker In the past couple of months, a foodie bell has rung, ringing in some of the best food-trucks in Dubai.

These food-trucks have ushered in with a bang and have evolved street food culture in Dubai. And these food-trucks aren’t hard to find, with events such as Dubai Food Festival and Food Truck Jam gathering a community of home-grown food-trucks that satisfy the ever-growing diverse population in Dubai.

There was a time when regulations were bondages to meals on wheels that were left to be stationary kiosks at designated locations. But all that’s changing - rather, changed - and as months have passed by, food trucks have become a constant; a regular part of Dubai’s many curbs and, most importantly, given the licence to be mobile, like they were always meant to be.

Co-Founder of food truck Melt & More, Joanne Lewis, has come a long way since her days as a beauty therapist and as a freelancer to many celebrities, including the Royal Family. A resident of Dubai for the past 10 years, Lewis has been successful in starting up her own venture which provides indulgent, yet guilt-free desserts to keep cool in the hot climate.

Lewis drew her inspiration for Melt & More through her children’s food intolerances. “My eldest son has a severe nut and seed allergy, and my youngest son has so many food intolerances that cause him to suffer terribly with skin problems. I met my business partner, Jieun, through our husbands, and she was also passionate about finding healthy food choices for her two very young children. We saw the rise in obesity and diabetes throughout the region in both kids and adults and wanted to find a way to give people a really tasty dessert without all the added sugars, colours and additives.”

The venture, undoubtedly came with numerous challenges. Apart from licensing issues, personal challenges were also a part and parcel. “Converting our food trucks was definitely one of the biggest challenges. Also, two years ago when we first set up, we were one of the first trucks out. The first year was filled with challenges as we did everything ourselves, and the event business is so tough.

According to Wood, he was protected from abuse by his mother, who didn’t let him go to parties, but he said his peers were regularly “preyed upon” by those in power.

“Working out logistics and working with frozen goods on mobile vehicles is hard. During our first year, we worked at every event ourselves, and some nights we would finish at 2am after a concert, and then we would be back in for 5am to set up for a market. We did not get to spend one weekend with our kids and that was the toughest thing ever!”

“If you’re innocent you have very little knowledge of the world and you want to succeed,” Wood said. “People with parasitic interests

Illustration: Pinterest Overcoming the challenges is essential and keeping oneself motivated, even more so. When asked about how Lewis keeps herself motivated, she said, “We got through it somehow, and when the business started to grow, we employed people to help us. Food trucks are a very new concept in Dubai, so we did everything above board and listened and learned as we went along.

“We have many tough days as I think everyone in business does, whether working for yourself or someone else, but I never question our business. We are very focused and we know we are providing not just delicious, but healthy, products too.”

Like Lewis, the founder of CalleTacos, Amjad Zayed was also one of the many hopefuls who had dreamed of starting his very own food truck.

‘CalleTacos’, which when translated from Mexican stands for “Street Tacos”, is a Mexican food truck in Dubai.

“We at Calle Tacos have always wanted to share our passion for food. Once the regulation of running a food truck business was set in the UAE we decided to start with our love of Mexican food.” said Amjad.

When asked why he had decided to go down the food truck route, Amjad said, “Food trucks allow you to be part of the customer experience. You are always there talking to the customers and sharing experiences with them. At a food truck it is never boring as you never know what tomorrow might get you, where will you be next or who you will meet.”

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Starting a food truck is one thing, but getting the word of your existence out in public is a whole different ballgame together. This is where social media plays an important role. With an active Instagram profile, Calle Tacos uses the visual power of social media to connect with potential customers.

“When you run a food truck business social media is your number one media for interacting with your customers and followers. We use social media to announce where we will be next, if we have specials, and our customers also do post about their experience at our truck as well.”

Students can easily relate to food trucks because of the convenience they offer. Sayema Wasi, a 20 year old university student said, “I really like the concept of food trucks. I love that they offer people the independence and mobility to start their own businesses easily. Also, the novelty factor, I don’t think I could ever get over the concept of food on wheels. I think Dubai’s food truck scene is burgeoning and it’s just better for us!”

While the food truck scene in Dubai seems to be in a constant phase of evolution, there is just one criticism to be made. Another university student, Radhi Raut, said “I would love it if they had food trucks in the actual town rather than at the beach with reasonably priced items. Also, there need to be more vegetarian options.”

will see you as their prey.”

He compared what he witnessed to the sexabuse crimes carried out by the English TV personality Jimmy Savile, which became a scandal following his death. “You all grew up with Savile,” Wood said, speaking to the English paper. “Jesus, it must have been devastating. Clearly something major was going on in Hollywood. It was all organized.”

Wood said that victims “can’t speak as loudly as people in power,” so he thinks that often their stories are not acted upon—and the perpetrators not punished. It’s a horrifying thing to imagine, but hopefully this gives the conversation momentum again—or perhaps inspires more former child actors to share more about what they saw.

- Henry Bodkin and Harriet Alexander, The Telegraph Group Limited

Emma Watson resurfaces Irrfan Khan to Host from Hollywood hiatus for Special Screening of Beauty and the Beast ‘Sairat’ The star of the ‘Harry Potter’ fame is all set to return to the big screen after a long break It is only a glimpse, but Emma Watson has briefly resurfaced from a selfimposed time-out and revealed herself in the leading role of Belle in the first trailer released for Disney’s live-action version of Beauty and the Beast.

early next year.

“I’m finally able to tell you ... that I will be playing Belle in Disney’s new live-action Beauty and the Beast!” Watson wrote in a Facebook post last year. “it almost feels surreal that I’ll get to dance to Be Our Guest and sing Something There.

Directed by Bill Condon (The Twilight My six-year-old self is on the ceiling Saga: Breaking Dawn) the film also stars heart bursting. Time to start some singing Dan Stevens as the Beast, Luke Evans lessons. I can’t wait for you to see it.” as Gaston, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, Ewan McGregor as Lumiere and Emma Watson announced in February that Thompson as Mrs Potts. Josh Gad, she would be having a break from Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, acting for a year. She told Vanity Fair, Kevin Kline and Audra McDonald are which described her as one of the also on-board. busiest actresses in Hollywood, that her Hollywood hiatus would be used to work Watson, famed for her role as Hermione on her “own personal development.” in the Harry Potter films, first announced her Beauty and the Beast casting last Watson, as well as working on Beauty year, writing about how the original on the Beast, had been busy as a UN animated film was a big part of her Women Goodwill Ambassador and was growing up. The new trailer for the appointed a fellow at Oxford University retelling of the much-loved classic was before announcing her break. launched on Monday on Good Morning America, but will not be released until - Sydney Morning Herald

Directed by Nagraj Manjule, the film talks about the relationship between two young teenagers who face several challenges before eloping Actor Irrfan Khan will be holding a special screening of Marathi movie Sairat, a searing indictment of caste discrimination, in Mumbai on Monday.

“Every year regional cinema is adding a feather in its cap and, undoubtedly, this year it’s Sairat,” said Khan.

He added: “I was moved to see the Marathi Romeo and Juliet and truly believe that our teenagers should see the movie, who are exposed mostly to western cinema because this is the phase of new Indian cinema which is bound to The Piku actor will be hosting the become universal and world cinscreening for teenagers, includema.” ing his children, as he feels the younger generation needs to be exposed to good content being Sairat, which released in India on April 29, is Manjule’s second feaproduced in India. ture movie after 2014’s Fandry, The guest list includes Khan and his which went on to bag the 61st Nafamily, teenagers who are friends tional Film Award for ‘Indira Gandof the actor’s children and others, hi Award for Best First Film of a Dialong with the film’s director, read rector’. a statement.

-IANS Directed by Nagraj Manjule, the film talks about the relationship between two young teenagers who face several challenges before eloping from their village.

REVIEWS + PREVIEW

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WEEKEND REVIEW: THE HOTTEST MEAL IN TOWN

Photo Credits: Latitude Restaurant It matters not where you come from or where you work. But when you enter the gates of a 5 star hotel, you are made to feel like someone important and are taken care of as though you are the only person in the entire hotel to be served. It may sound like an exaggeration, but it is far from the truth as you enter the lobby of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Friendly faces greet you, and contemporary decor stares at you from every possible corner.

wooden furnishings although warm and inviting are not bulky, which retains the element of class and finesse. For those who would prefer to eat outdoors, a similar set up is created, the only differentiating factor being a view of the Burj Al Arab leaning against the clear waters and sandy shores of the beach.

of soups, stews and stir-fries, while the bread section offers delicious varieties of breads to mop up flavorful juices. Live cooking stations for items such as pasta, give you the opportunity to custom make your dishes to your preference, while adding to the entertainment quotient. Nothing beats watching the chef toss your pasta with perfect moves and flip your naan till it bubbles up to a crisp. One negative though - the food is delicious overall, but some dishes may lack a bit of seasoning. However, it isn’t something that your salt n pepper shakers cannot fix.

When it comes to the food, the options available are Once you get past the faces and the decor, you are unlimited. Restaurant-goers can get a taste of the welcomed by the pleasant smell of food. Follow the whole of South-East Asia, provided their stomach can food trail, and you’re scooped into the world of a permit. From the fresh flavors of Japanese, Chinese five star fine-dining buffet restaurant. or Arabic to the many varied cuisines of Europe, the Anytime is a good time to pay a visit to the restaurant. food is sure to take your tastebuds on a culinary joy- But the best time would be on special occasions, like Behold, Latitude - the ideal venue for the ultimate ride. birthdays and anniversaries. Even the restaurant staff leisurely brunch with an exciting mix of live cooking celebrates with you, with a cake in hand. The band stations and the smooth sounds of elegant and The buffet area is compartmentalized and each adds a melodious background music by humming entertaining band, Aria Trio. section is dedicated to any one of the cuisines. The Japanese section offers fresh sushi, oriental salads, their best wishes for you. Before you head to the The interiors of the restaurant are a complete contrast and even luxury seafood items such as Oysters and restaurant, make sure to have a reservation since the restaurant is almost always full. For reservations, call to the hotel lobby's modern set-up. Wooden Octopus. +971 4 432 3232 or email at restaurants@jumeirah. chairs and wooden flooring create an environment akin to a log cabin on a cold winter’s night. The The Indian and Chinese section offer a wide range com

FROM THE SILVER SCREEN Movie review for ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’ If the world of numbers seems like nothing but a muddled mess to you, think again because there is a world beyond just plain numbers. There is a world beyond infinity.

of people’s lives (more so then, if not as much as today), the film shows the circumstances that come along with attempts at breaking norms.

Brilliant performances by the star cast – Dev Patel, who plays the role of Mr. Ramanujan and Jeremy Irons, who plays the role of Mr. Ramanujan’s professor at Cambridge University – add to the charm of the film. The relationship between the two characters is beautifully portrayed as they progress in their quest for searching groundbreaking mathematical theories.

‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’ is a riveting tale about the trials and tribulations in the life of renowned mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan. Directed by Matthew Brown, and based on the biography written by Robert Kanigel, the film highlights the struggles faced by Mr. Ramanujan to have his work acknowledged and make a significant contribution in the world of Mathematics.

The movie is definitely worth a watch – not for mathematical equations, but for Set in the period where dealing with equations of love, companionship, and racial adversities and painfully binding infinity. cultural norms was a part and parcel

PREVIEW:

FASHION SARAY 2016 The long wait is over as Fashion Saray 2016 is back again. Blending Arabic fashion and culture into one exquisite exhibition.

The exhibition houses designer collections with innovative fashion designs. A meet and greet is also arranged with the talented fashion designers in the region, who come together to showcase their latest collections at the event.

EVENT TYPE Fashion Show DATES 11 - 13 Jun 2015 INDUSTRY Miscellaneous VENUE Za’abeel Hall AUDIENCE Public ORGANISED BY Colette Events Management