Hakkasan and Chef Akmal Anuar unite for one memorable evening.
- Two acclaimed chefs come together for a unique dining experience.
- Michelin recognised talent meets contemporary Cantonese expertise in Abu Dhabi.
- Collaborative dining events continue gaining momentum across the UAE.
- A curated menu showcases creativity, flavour, and culinary storytelling.
A growing number of UAE diners are choosing experiences over reservations. Exclusive chef collaborations, limited seating events, and one night only menus have become some of the most sought-after tickets in the region’s dining calendar. Against that backdrop, a Four Hands Dinner at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi is set to bring together two culinary names that have helped shape modern dining across the UAE.
Taking place on 26 June, the event will see Chef Akmal Anuar join Hakkasan Abu Dhabi’s Chef Lee Kok Hua for a specially curated menu designed around sharing, creativity, and bold flavours. The collaboration blends Hakkasan’s Michelin-starred Cantonese heritage with Chef Akmal’s globally influenced cooking style, creating a dining experience that reflects the increasingly collaborative spirit of the UAE’s hospitality scene.
Across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, diners are showing greater interest in events that offer something beyond a traditional restaurant visit. Limited edition menus create anticipation, while chef collaborations allow guests to experience different culinary perspectives within a single meal. It feels personal. It feels rare.
This trend has become particularly visible among fine dining destinations looking to create memorable experiences that extend beyond the plate. For guests, the appeal lies in discovering new flavour combinations, unique techniques, and creative interpretations that may never appear on a regular menu again.
The upcoming Four Hands Dinner embraces that approach through dishes such as Peking duck, black garlic Wagyu beef dumplings, yellowtail carpaccio, crab roll maki, jasmine tea smoked Wagyu beef ribs, and bone marrow paired with black pepper sauce and curry leaves. Familiar ingredients. Unexpected execution.
Chef Akmal Anuar has become one of the region’s most recognised culinary figures, known for concepts including Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, 3Fils, 11 Woodfire, and OTORO Abu Dhabi. His reputation has been built on challenging expectations while drawing inspiration from his Singaporean heritage and international influences.
That creative approach finds an interesting counterpart in Hakkasan Abu Dhabi’s contemporary Cantonese identity. Together, the chefs are creating a menu that celebrates technique, innovation, and shared culinary storytelling.
Adding to the atmosphere, guests can also expect live entertainment throughout the evening, with a DJ and drummer helping transform the dinner into a multi-sensory experience. Small details matter. Atmosphere matters too.
As Abu Dhabi’s dining scene continues to mature, events like this highlight a growing appetite for experiences that combine culinary talent, creativity, and exclusivity. For food enthusiasts looking to explore something different this summer, this collaboration offers a rare opportunity to witness two distinctive culinary voices sharing the same table!
Instagram:@hakkasanabudhabi
