Dubai chefs come together for victims of the Türkiye and Syria earthquake
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On Monday, 6 February, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria. The quake is the worst tragedy to hit earthquake-prone Türkiye in 84 years, claiming at least 24,000 lives and leaving many more injured and homeless.
According to the US Geological Survey, the 17.7km deep earthquake produced over 100 aftershocks and had its epicentre in Gaziantep, in south-central Türkiye. In response to the disaster, a three-month state of emergency has been declared in Türkiye.
The UAE community has rallied together to help, with HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, dispatching a medical team to establish a field hospital to provide medical assistance to those in need.
RIKAS Hospitality Group is collaborating with some of Dubai’s brightest culinary talents and Emirates Red Crescent (Licence number PRHCE 000744394) to provide support for the earthquake victims.
The initiative, dubbed Stronger Together for Syria & Turkey, will consist of three collaborative dinners on Sunday, 19 February, at 8pm across the three RIKAS venues inside Dubai’s Emirates Towers.
At La Cantine du Faubourg, Rikas Executive Group Chef Gilles Bosquet will team up with Chef Yunus Emre Aydin of Marea, Chef Sara Aqel of Dara by Sara Aqel, and Chef Gregoire Berger of Ossiano.
FACT’s Chef of the Year 2022, Reif Othman of Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, will join Chef Hadrien Villedieu from Rikas Group and Chef Soleman Haddad from Moonrise to create a menu of Asian-inspired dishes at Gohan.
Finally, Ninive’s executive Chef Ali will welcome Chef Salam from the MICHELIN-lauded Bait Maryam and chef Mohamed Orfali from Orfali Bros, recently awarded the number one spot on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Attendees can look forward to a night filled with delicious cuisine and great company whilst contributing to a noble cause. All proceeds from the dinners will be donated to the Emirates Red Crescent to support those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
Elsewhere, The Giving Movement, a Dubai-based clothing label, has sent 8,000 pieces of clothing to Türkiye, including essentials such as hoodies, jackets, sweaters, joggers, T-shirts, socks and windbreakers. The donations come in various sizes for men, women, children and babies and will provide immediate relief to those affected.