A wedding menu that tastes of Abu Dhabi
I cook weddings in Abu Dhabi at beachfront villas on Saadiyat, private estates and desert camps towards Liwa, from an intimate dinner to 500 guests. You get one chef responsible for every plate, a menu written for you and a team I brief and lead.
Liwa is famous for its dates, and I use them fresh, smoked and dried alongside saffron, cardamom and dried lime. Hammour and other Gulf fish go over the embers, and I take inspiration from machboos, harees and luqaimat in a lighter, modern form. Pairings are alcohol-free: cold infusions, date and cardamom tonics, hibiscus, laban and Arabic coffee scented with cardamom.
Guests gather as the heat eases in the late afternoon, and the sunset over the sea or the dunes sets the mood for dinner. Local weddings often hold a separate celebration for women and run late into the night, so I plan service in waves and keep food and sweets coming until the end.
A menu idea: Smoked Liwa dates and saffron, ember-roasted hammour and a cardamom dessert, with alcohol-free pairings.
Season and logistics
The main wedding season in Abu Dhabi runs October to April. Outdoor dinners only work in the cooler months, and even then I plan cold storage, shaded prep areas and generator power with the venue. Many venues also require approved suppliers, so I coordinate early with your planner. I work alongside your planner and venue so the kitchen fits into their timeline.
What I can cook for you
Canapés and aperitif
Cold and warm bites for the arrival, each one a clean single mouthful, made from local produce.
The wedding dinner
A plated tasting menu, a family-style feast, food stations, or a mix of all three.
Drinks programme
Wine and champagne pairings, a non-alcoholic pairing and a signature cocktail, designed with the menu.
Late-night food
Something warm and salty around midnight to keep the dance floor going.
Welcome and rehearsal dinners
A relaxed barbecue or fire-cooked feast to start the weekend, or an intimate tasting menu for family.
Day-after brunch
A late, generous brunch for everyone who stayed, and one last moment together.
My signature: live-fire wedding catering, a wild and foraged wedding menu, and intimate weddings and elopements.
How your quote is built
- Food from 120 euros per guest
- Kitchen and service team sized and quoted for your guest count
- Drinks quoted separately, from pairings to a full bar
- Travel added to the quote
- Your date is locked with a 60 percent deposit
Staying longer? See my private chef services in Abu Dhabi for villa stays and dinners.
Weddings in Abu Dhabi: good to know
When is wedding season in Abu Dhabi?
The main season runs October to April. Popular dates book early, so secure yours as soon as the venue is confirmed.
Can you serve two separate receptions on the same night?
Yes. With a hired team I can run two kitchens or two services side by side, so the women’s and men’s receptions each get the full menu.
Can you cater a large wedding in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, up to 500 guests with a hired kitchen and service team that I brief and lead.
Do you cook the welcome dinner and brunch too?
Yes. The whole wedding weekend can be planned as one menu, from the welcome dinner to the day-after brunch.
How is the date secured?
A date is locked when a deposit of at least 60 percent is received.