Review of Emirates Fine Dining Event

A few weeks back I was invited to a very special event. It was the Emirates Fine Dining Event held at Osa Restaurant in the luxurious Fairmont Hotel at Zimbali.

We were treated to a variety of cuisines that you can expect on an Emirates Flight. Regional Catering Manager of Emirates Chef Ravi Nage treated us to some delectable treats. Some savoury and some sweet. There was so much to choose from you almost did not know what to sample.

What you can expect on an Emirates flight. 

The food was exquisite and a taste excursion.

Chef Ravi Nage giving us a food demo

Award Winning Chef Ravi Nage first gave us a food demonstration and showed us what goes in to each meal.

The Durban Bunny Chow

‘’890 items go into each cycle of food prepared.  We use regional ingredients connected to that city,’’ said Chef Ravi Nage.

For those wanting to become a Chef he gave this sage advice:

‘’For me a plate is a palette,’’ whispered Chef Ravi Nage.

Each meal we tasted certainly filled us up and this was echoed by Chef Ravi, ‘’ We want the passengers to be full,’’ said Chef Ravi.

During his food demo he made us some chicken curry which we could taste afterwards and I have to confess it was quite delicious. Melt in your mouth kind of deliciousness.

Sweet treats 

At the end of the banquet we were treated to Desserts of Gulab Jamun and Rasmalai which were as sweet as they looked. For those of you that have a sweet tooth these are both recommended.

You would certainly enjoy both of them at 40 000ft. on an Emirates flight.

Interesting fact Emirates serves more than 110 million meals year.

Below is a tasty menu item courtesy of Emirates:

Murgh Tikka

(Succulent and boneless marinated chicken)

800 gms boneless chicken cubes

Butter for basting

Marinade

50 gms yoghurt

40 gms ginger paste

40 gms Garlic paste

3 gms White pepper powder

3 gms Cumin powder

5 gms Mace, nutmeg and green cardamom powder

3 gms red chilli powder

3 gms Turmeric

60 ml Lemon Juice

20 gms Gram flour (besan)

Salt to taste

75 ml Groundnut oil

Whisk the yoghurt in a large bowl add all ingredients, except the chicken and mix well. Rub the chicken pieces with the marinade and keep aside for 3 hours in the refrigerator.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 F

Roast in the oven for 8-10 minutes and baste with melted butter.

OR

Skewer the chicken and cook on a barbecue grill.

Serve hot with a wedge of lime and sliced onions, cucumber and fresh mint.

It might make a great meal for the festive season.

Emirates offers connections between Durban and India, with over 180 flights to India every week. A daily flight links Dubai and Durban, as well as four daily flights from Johannesburg to Dubai. To book, or for more information, terms and conditions, please visit https://www.emirates.com/za/english/ or visit the local Emirates office or your travel agent.

A big thank you to Emirates for hosting us at this event.

This review and photography by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton