It's called MasterChef The TV Experience Restaurant (not exactly an agile name...) and it's the first restaurant in the world inspired by the well-known television talent show that has so depopulated all over the world, including Italy (it is broadcast in 52 countries of the world with over 250 million viewers). The curious venue opened this year in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and in fact offers customers to put themselves in the shoes of judges for once: patrons, upon reservation, are gathered in groups and they receive a Mystery Box with 10 ingredients, including meat or fish, and accompanying vegetables and spices. The diners must therefore choose 5, after which the young resident chef of the restaurant, the Venezuelan Margarita Vaamonde-Beggs, will have 45 minutes to concoct the best possible dish.
Once the dish has been tasted, customers can take on the role of Joe Bastianich or Antonino Cannavacciuolo on duty and, after having a chat with the chef, express an opinion. A real "yes" or "no", just like those pronounced by the very strict television judges. For those who prefer to give up the fun experience and know exactly what they will eat, the Dubai restaurant offers also an à la carte menu, but always inspired by Masterchef: the recipes are in fact prepared starting from those cooked by the participants on TV or taken from their cookbooks, such as Shaun O'Neale's game fillet marinated in coffee and smoked jalapenos, or the famous green apple sorbet with jelly of fennel and goat cheese mousse created by Elena Duggan, respectively champions of the American and Australian format.
“Before composing the menu – admitted chef Vaamonde-Beggs – I met winners and finalists of the program and we talked about the most inspiring dishes. I only spoke to competitors from the USA, the United Kingdom and Australia, but I favored recipes from countries that reveal their origins, such as Pakistan, Malaysia, or Italy itself. We have thought of an offer that transversally reflects the international success of Masterchef”.
