Gourmet Abu Dhabi Completes Chef Line-up To Round Out Spectacular Cast

Gourmands will be gratified, enthusiasts will be excited, and, the food and beverage industry in Abu Dhabi city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, will certainly be fascinated by the stellar line-up of masterchefs with a total of 17 Michelin stars at Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2010.

The epicurean festival, will be graced by a strong assembly of masterchefs that reads like a 'who's who' of international gastronomic greats. Each with their own unique culinary tale to tell, the chefs will be conducting culinary masterclasses as well as preparing special themed luncheons and dinners, showcasing their cooking prowess.

Due to the overwhelming success of the launch edition, Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2010 is now a 15 day event that will run from the 5th to the 19th of February 2010. The number of hosting establishments has also increased to a total of 10, to include the five star Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and The Yas Hotel, overlooking the Yas Marina Circuit - home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Adding to its Michelin Star studded culinary cast, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), organiser of Gourmet Abu Dhabi has named the culinary personalities who will complete the stunning line up.

Adding to the star-studded line up are...

Italian Chef Andrea Berton is the result of the sum of experience of his famous teachers - chefs Gualtiero Marchesi, Alain Ducasse and Carlo Cracco. Therefore it is of no surprise that his restaurant Trussardi Alla Scala in Milan has won the Best New Restaurant accolade from the Italian Restaurants Guide by L'Espresso as well as receiving two Michelin stars within a mere three years of its 2006 opening.

Thai food aficionado David Thompson is an Australian chef, restaurateur and cookery writer. It was during a holiday to Bangkok where he met an elderly matriarch who cooked for the Royal Family. He was completely seduced by the Thai spread she prepared that he changed his plans and spent months under the apprenticeship of this old master. London restaurant Nahm, under his guidance of traditional preparation and authentic fare is the first Thai restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin Star.

The secret behind Michelin Starred German chef Martin Fauster's success is his tenet of sourcing the finest and highest quality ingredients. He then prepares these ingredients in the best possible way to reflect the flavours and capture the essence of enjoyment to fulfil his guests' palates. His K�nigshof Restaurant in Munich has been awarded 18 points by The Gault Millau Guide - the influential French restaurant guide - an accreditation which is testament to his passion for his craft, innovation and creativity.

Joe Barza, the pioneer of Lebanese fusion cuisine is a shining star in the rather closed culture of the Lebanese culinary world. Ever since graduating from the Hotel School of Arts in Lebanon, Jeo has swam against the tide to put his country on the world gourmet map, and become an internationally renowned chef. Winning numerous local and a string of international awards, he has paved the way to the world stage for emerging young culinary talent.

Having never had any formal culinary training, completely self-taught Charlie Trotter's successful empire is built on a foundation of sheer determination, unrelenting perseverance and pure passion and love for the culinary arts. His philosophy of using only the finest and freshest ingredients such as naturally raised meat and line caught seafood to craft his cuisine has definitely paid off. His namesake restaurant in Chicago has been ranked among the world's top 50 restaurants. He is also an AAA Five Diamond award recipient, as well as a 10-time James Beard Foundation honoree.

Coming from a family of chefs, Mehmet G�k was destined for culi