Awards the final course for Gourmet Abu Dhabi

Gourmet Abu Dhabi draws to a close with awards handed out to the capital's top chefs.

Abu Dhabi's food scene took centre stage at a ceremony that brought the emirate's annual culinary festival to a close.

Thirteen awards were handed out to restaurants, their staff and chefs at the end of the fifth Gourmet Abu Dhabi this week.

Hakkasan, the Chinese restaurant at Emirates Palace hotel, retained its Restaurant of the Year gong at the event held at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

It was third time lucky for the InterContinental Abu Dhabi's chef Danny Kattar, who was awarded Executive Chef of the Year after missing out twice previously.

"Finally it's my year. I was beginning to think destiny was against me winning this award.

"I'm already planning the main course for next year's gala dinner and I promise to create something in the best gastronomic traditions of InterContinental Abu Dhabi," he said.

Winner of Best Use of Local Produce by a Chef, Nicolas Perz, from Hyatt Capital Gate, believed his creation would inspire a generation of dishes infused with the taste of Arabia.

"This is truly a remarkable category," he said.

"I cannot think of another regional award that encourages our industry to utilise the diverse produce and flavours at our fingertips."

The festival saw 56 international artisans from 14 nations serve up their dishes across 20 of the capital's restaurants and venues.