Life’s come a full circle for Dubai-based expatriate Simy Mathews. “I still get the shivers… Being on the Lowe menu, I am pinching myself, I still can’t believe it…,” says the 49-year-old relocation business entrepreneur, who won a local talent hunt by the Dubai-based Michelin-recognised restaurant Lowe, earlier this year.
The main prize – her recipe would be featured on the restaurant’s menu for a month. And it’s happening, her recipe for Kerala Beef Cutlets is available at Lowe for the entire month of June, titled Beef Croquettes.
For the Dubai-raised Malayalee, this is how dreams come true. “I have always been fascinated with food … more so to eat it. I hung around the kitchen growing up, mum’s a great cook, I loved to cook a lot, try out different cuisines. That’s my food story.
“I was born in India, Thiruvananthapuram, but raised in Dubai … so this is very much home to me.” She has two siblings, a younger sister who is based in Dubai and a brother based in Bangalore, India.
A cinematic food interlude
In 2014, she got a frantic call from a friend. A well-known Kerala chef Anil Kumar who went into people’s homes and cooked for a television show was facing a crisis – the Dubai-based family whose home was scheduled for the shoot had bailed.
“I refused, saying not going to go on television,” Mathews says but they convinced her. The show was a success. She was invited to co-host several such shows and did that for multiple channels including Kairali TV and Mazhavil Manorama.
Then 2018 brought a bit of a career downturn. Mathews was made redundant as the company relocated to Manila in Philippines. However, soon enough she was offered a top position in Belgrade, Serbia. She spent three years there and did a lot of supper clubs. “The pop ups introduced people to Indian cuisine other than butter chicken and naan. I remember people asking where is the roti … in the South we hardly eat roti, we have appams instead.”
She returned in 2020 to Dubai and went back to the relocation business. “I am now the owner of a moving company based in Dubai.
“I had just been waiting for an opportunity to do something, so when I saw the Lowe contest, I participated for fun. I never expected to win. I didn’t tell my family either. I thought, let me see how it goes. I was one of the finalists. All these fancy dishes and highly qualified participants, and me with my cutlets. I told my sister that I just wouldn’t go for the finals. She said, just go and meet people. They gave us four hours to cook, and I was done in two. I was so shocked to be the winner.
“They said they had never tasted a dish so flavourful. It would be a good fit for the Lowe menu!”
The reasons for winning
Chef Muhammad Ali Shiddique, the Singaporean head chef at Lowe, tells Gulf News: “The community is a major part of Lowe… we have a lot of residents who come here and we wanted to give back to them. We also wanted to learn what else is there outside that we cannot find in restaurants, what they would cook at home, what is their favourite food at home. We reached out to the public and organised this competition. And we found this very delicious beef cutlet, which we are excited to show on the menu.
“The flavour is what stood out for all the judges … a very simple dish but really appealed once we tasted it. It was really flavourful and hands down beat the rest of the competition.”
The community is a major part of Lowe… we have a lot of residents who come here and we wanted to give back to them. We also wanted to learn what else is there outside that we cannot find in restaurants, what they would cook at home, what is their favourite food at home. We reached out to the public and organised this competition. And we found this very delicious beef cutlet, which we are excited to show on the menu. The flavour is what stood out for all the judges … a very simple dish but really appealed once we tasted it. It was really flavourful and hands down beat the rest of the competition.
- Chef Muhammad Ali Shiddique, the Singaporean head chef at Lowe
The restaurant plans to make it an annual event to discover more such local talent. They hope to get many more entries next year as part of the talent hunt including new recipes and cooking skills.
Zachary Roy, the restaurant manager at Lowe, which won its second Michelin green star recently, says, “The green star is for sustainability practices… how we interact with the community around us, who we work with and what we choose to put on our plates. We ensure that we work with local suppliers as much as possible in a farm to table sort of ethos and with a nose to tail ethos, and what I mean by that is that we don’t like to waste anything.
“An example … we took the peelings from the potatoes for our French fries and our chef turned it into a potato ice cream. We recycle everything we have. We make sure that our footprint is as little as possible.” The restaurant opened in 2019. He believes that this sustainable trend is going to expand further as there are already three restaurants with the Michelin green star in Dubai including Boca and Teible.
Roy says, “This is the first time we have done Lowe’s local talent search. It started with an idea to let’s show people that they don’t have to be a professional chef in order to come up with these ideas and concepts. A person cooking at home for their child or loved ones at home when they get home from work can create these really amazing dishes that are restaurant worthy – you don’t need a million dollars-worth of equipment to plate something that is truly special.
This is the first time we have done Lowe’s local talent search. It started with an idea to let’s show people that they don’t have to be a professional chef in order to come up with these ideas and concepts. A person cooking at home for their child or loved ones at home when they get home from work can create these really amazing dishes that are restaurant worthy – you don’t need a million dollars-worth of equipment to plate something that is truly special.
- Zachary Roy, the restaurant manager at Lowe
“It was open to anybody who applied in early February, we had chosen our finalists then there was Ramadan and we pushed the final to April.”
About 20 applicants sent in their recipes, five got shortlisted but one dropped out and on April 26, four finalists went through a live cooking test. The winner was chosen by the restaurant management along with the head chef.
“Everybody that partook had really amazing dishes and concepts … with Simi’s dish, there was something about the story, the textures, it had a little bit of a kick …. It is simple, homegrown, it is tasty, and it is beautiful.”
For Simi, the winning recipe is part of her heritage and culinary tradition. Click here to get Simy Mathews'award-winning recipe for Kerala beef croquettes.
“In Kerala, every Syrian Christian household has these beef cutlets in the freezer, we are so familiar with it – I love fried food and love that cutlets have a crispy texture and are soft on the inside. Also working with Lowe helped me elevate the dish with the addition of sumac onions and smoked labneh, along with learning so many aspects. Onions have to be cooked down well, that shallots are so much more flavourful than using normal onions and Panko breadcrumbs are crispier than regular breadcrumbs. You need to put spices but not overpower the meat, which is the star of the dish, let the meat shine. The recipe has a 70 per cent meat, 30 per cent potatoes ratio. The key is mince with good fat marbling, at the restaurant they are using sirloin for it.
“Portuguese trade brought this dish to Kerala and then we added spices, flavours to create something unique. Cutlets are such a celebratory thing.”
She always enjoyed cooking, so much so that she originally wanted to pursue a career in catering and hotel management but didn’t end up going because Mathews didn’t get through the entrance exam. “I went on to get a degree in business and finance. But with this win, life has come a full circle … God works in mysterious ways.”
Share your favourite food stories with us on food@gulfnews.com
FAQs
Is a Michelin star awarded to the chef or the restaurant? ›
But the fact of the matter is that they don't exist: stars are awarded to the restaurant, not the chef. Gordon Ramsey holds no Michelin stars. Restaurant Gordon Ramsey holds three. The reasoning is pretty obvious: different chefs cook at the same restaurant.
Does UAE have Michelin stars? ›There are 14 Michelin star restaurants in Dubai in total. Nine restaurants were awarded one Michelin star and two restaurants - Il Ristorante Niko Romito and STAY by Yannick Alleno - were awarded two Michelin stars in 2022.
How do Michelin stars work for chefs? ›One MICHELIN Star is awarded to restaurants using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard. Two MICHELIN Stars are awarded when the personality and talent of the chef are evident in their expertly crafted dishes; their food is refined and inspired.
Who is a Michelin star chef? ›It implies that both the chef and the restaurant have been evaluated and deemed the best of the best. Michelin Stars set the standard for ranking the finest in the restaurant industry and the culinary world, so being a Michelin Starred Chef is of the highest honor.
What is the difference between a Michelin star restaurant and a Michelin star chef? ›In short, chefs do not and cannot get Michelin stars. Michelin stars can only be attached to a restaurant and not an individual chef. In fact, to debunk all the myths, the guide states: "There is no such thing as a Michelin-starred chef."
What is the difference between Michelin restaurant and Michelin star restaurant? ›According to the guide, one Michelin star represents a “very good restaurant in its category,” while two stars denotes a restaurant boasting “excellent cooking” that is “worth a detour.” Three stars, however, is the ultimate accolade, afforded only to those restaurants that offer “exceptional cuisine” that is “worth a ...
How many Michelin stars are there in Dubai? ›Dubai is the 36th destination to be covered by the Michelin Guide and a total of 90 restaurants are included in the 2023 edition of the Michelin Guide Dubai, which includes the 14 Michelin Star restaurants, 17 Bib Gourmand recipients, and three green star awards. The full list can be viewed here.
Is there Michelin guide in Dubai? ›A guide to all the Michelin-starred restaurants in Dubai
The prestigious Michelin Guide marks its Dubai return with a spectacular selection of restaurants, highlighting the city's exemplary culinary standards, diverse cuisines and unique flavours.
Michelin dining in Dubai
After the renowned success of the inaugural guide in 2022, we welcome the second edition, showcasing Dubai's exceptional restaurants once again.
To earn one Michelin star, a restaurant needs to be “a very good restaurant in this category”. For two stars, it needs to be “excellent cooking, worth a detour”. For three stars, a restaurant must serve “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
Why do chefs lose Michelin stars? ›
In order to earn a star, the food in the restaurant will be reviewed multiple times. To lose one, it will be again reviewed a few times, but generally, it will take less time to make a decision. Key Takeaway: Any restaurant can lose a Michelin Star. Lack of consistency is the main reason why a Star is taken away.
How long does a chef keep a Michelin star? ›The Michelin Star awarding process happens once per year, and the final list of starred restaurants is announced in October for the following year. Restaurants can lose their Michelin star from one year to the next, and they can also be moved up from one to two or three.
Who is No 1 chef in world? ›Gordon Ramsay – 7 Michelin stars
Known for his volatile kitchen demeanour and exceptional British cuisine, Gordon Ramsay is arguably the most famous chef in the world. Although he's been awarded 16 Michelin stars throughout his career, he currently holds seven.
Dominique Crenn, Emma Bengtsson, and Nancy Silverton prove how being a trailblazer leads to happiness and they share insights for the next gen.
Who trained Gordon Ramsay? ›After earning a vocational diploma in hotel management from North Oxon Technical College in 1987, he moved to London and began honing his culinary skills under chef Marco Pierre White at the restaurant Harvey's and under chef Albert Roux at La Gavroche.
Is there anything higher than Michelin star? ›For a restaurateur, there is no greater accolade than being awarded a prestigious Michelin star. Well, except for being awarded two or, the top award, three. The Michelin Guide is, in the eyes of many, a fine-dining bible.
Which country has the most Michelin stars? ›The country that has the most restaurants that have earned a Michelin star is France. France has a total of 632 restaurants that have Michelin stars. 74 of these restaurants have earned at least two Michelin stars, while 29 restaurants have earned a total of three stars.
Can you be in the Michelin guide without a star? ›“Absolutely,” states Ellis. “Every year around the world, restaurants go from being in the selection without a distinction to earning a star.”
How many chefs have 3 Michelin stars? ›First, there are about 2500 restaurants awarded of 1 Michelin Star in the world, 500 restaurants with 2 Michelin Stars and around 150 awarded 3 Michelin Stars. Secondly, this evolves every year based on the release of the guide in every part of the world. Discover our full list of Michelin Star chef here.
Can you get 5 Michelin stars? ›Perhaps disappointingly, the answer is no - three is still the maximum number of Michelin stars that can be awarded to any one restaurant.
How many restaurants have 3 Michelin stars? ›
As of the 2022 Michelin Guide, there are 14 restaurants in the US with a rating of 3 Michelin stars.
What country has the most 2 Michelin stars? ›2 michelin star restaurants worldwide: the number
These are spread across 26 countries. The country with the most 2-star restaurants is France, although Kyoto, Japan has more than any other city.
The emirate now boasts some 13,000 establishments and some are nabbing global laurels.
What a Michelin star means? ›Not easy to obtain, the stars are awarded to restaurants that Michelin considers the very best in a given city, and recipients gain immense prestige and exposure along with the honor, with many seeing an increase in business after receiving their stars (while some who lost stars have experienced the opposite).
Do you tip tour guides in Dubai? ›It's customary to tip cabs at 10% of the ride cost and, for guides, generally about 10 to 15% of the total cost of the tour, depending on the quality of the service. As you can see, westerners traveling and living in Dubai truly do bring their own tipping cultures with them. There are no hard and fast rules.
What is the highest rated restaurant in the world? ›| Year | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Eleven Madison Park | Osteria Francescana |
| 2018 | Osteria Francescana | El Celler de Can Roca |
| 2019 | Mirazur | Noma |
| 2021 | Noma | Geranium |
Which US Cities Have Michelin Star Restaurants? Some US cities that have Michelin Star Restaurants include New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. New York has the most Michelin Star Restaurants with a total of 73. Globally, Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin Star restaurants.
Who got the first Michelin star in Dubai? ›Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab: Chef Saverio Sbaragli previously worked at Paris' three-Michelin-starred Arpège under Alain Passard before taking over the reins at Al Muntaha. This impressive restaurant on the 27th floor of the landmark Burj Al Arab hotel serves Italian and French fare.
Who hands out Michelin stars? ›Michelin Stars are given by a collective of inspectors who visit the establishment multiple times. Passion: What would be the point of so much work and such a strict approach if our inspectors weren't passionate about food?
How often do Michelin stars come out? ›On average, a Michelin inspector drives more than 18,000 miles a year and eats at 240 different restaurants. Restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide are visited once every 18 months, unless they are being considered for a change in status.
Do Michelin star chefs make a lot of money? ›
The average salary for chef in a US Michelin star restaurant is a little under $57,000. However, experienced workers, such as sous chefs, in a city like New York, can expect to make considerably more – in the region of $70,000–80,000.
What are the disadvantages of having a Michelin star? ›Michelin stars are the top of the top. They bring reservations, and consequently, a sales increase,” he says. But recognition has its downside: “The real cost of keeping the stars is very high. It goes hand in hand with an enormous effort in terms of staffing, installations, etc., not to mention the pressure.
Does Bobby Flay have a Michelin star? ›The Las Vegas Mesa Grill earned Flay his only Michelin Star in 2008, which was taken away in the 2009 edition. Michelin did not publish a 2010 or 2011 Las Vegas edition, so the star could not be re-earned.
Which chef refuses Michelin star? ›French chef Marc Veyrat, who unsuccessfully sued Michelin for saying he used cheddar cheese in a soufflé instead of French Reblochon, said last year that he never wants a star for his new restaurant.
What chef holds the most Michelin stars? ›Chefs with most Michelin stars worldwide 2022
Late French chef and restaurateur Joël Robuchon was the chef with the most Michelin stars worldwide as of October 2022, with 32 stars and more than 20 restaurants operating under his name across three continents.
The Real Reason Behind His Lost Michelin Stars
According to Michael Ellis, the director of Michelin's Guide, the reason behind Chef Ramsay's loss of his Michelin Stars is inconsistency. “The inspectors were disappointed with the consistency of the food,” he said.
To earn one star, a restaurant must be considered "a very good restaurant in its category." For two stars, the criteria is "excellent cooking, worth a detour." To qualify for the elusive three stars, a restaurant must serve up "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey."
Do you lose a Michelin star if the chef dies? ›Do restaurants lose a Michelin star when the chef dies? Not necessarily, but it can happen. The star is not an award for the chef but for the restaurant. The best chef won't help if the service is substandard e.g. if the chef changes for whatever reason, the star remains if the inspectors think the quality keeps up.
When did Gordon Ramsay lose a Michelin star? ›In October 2013, the Gordon Ramsay at The London restaurant in New York lost its two Michelin stars owing to issues encountered by the Michelin reviewers. The guide's director Michael Ellis stated that he was served "some very erratic meals" and also experienced "issues with consistency."
Is Guy Fieri a Michelin star chef? ›And while he does not have a Michelin star to his name, Fieri has other accolades to be proud of.
What is the highest honor for a chef? ›
The Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide's awarded Michelin Stars have become the most coveted and respected culinary award a restaurant or chef can receive.
- #1 Dabiz Muñoz. Spain.
- #2 Rene Redzepi. Denmark.
- #3 Joan Roca. Spain.
- #4 Massimo Bottura. Italy.
- #5 Andoni Luis Aduriz. Spain.
- #6 Bjorn Frantzén. Sweden.
- #7 Disfrutar. Spain.
- #8 Alain Passard. France.
Pierre Gagnaire
Considered as one of the most innovative and creative chefs in the world, Pierre earned his first Michelin-star when he was just 26 years old.
Julia Komp – won her first Michelin star at the age of 27, within just twelve months of taking over as head chef at Schloss Loersfeld in Kerpen.
Who is the youngest 3 Michelin star chef? ›In 1994, a 32-year-old Marco Pierre White became the youngest chef to achieve three stars at his eponymous restaurant. By 1999, he'd renounced the stars, quitting the restaurant that had made him a culinary star.
What is Gordon Ramsay's signature dish? ›Everything About Gordon Ramsay's Signature Dish
Beef Wellington is one of the most delicious dishes that chef Gordon Ramsay is most known for. The combined effect of juicy beef tenderloin, special duxelles, and prosciutto wrapped in a pastry shell is simply divine [1]. “Chefs don't make mistakes; they make new dishes.”
Ramsay, known for his hot temper and high cooking standards on shows such as "Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares," didn't attend culinary school himself. He earned a degree in hotel management from North Oxon Technical College, then learned on the job in the kitchens at Harvey's and La Gavroche in London.
Who is Gordon Ramsay's head chefs? ›Matt Abé Matt Abé has spent 16 years rising through the ranks of Gordon Ramsay Restaurants in London, where he now holds the position of Chef Patron at the prestigious three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
Who is the Michelin star awarded to? ›Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants judged to be of a particularly high standard. Eateries that make the grade can be awarded one, two, or three stars, and the accolade is much-coveted by chefs around the world. The star system was first introduced in 1926, with a single star denoting “a very good restaurant”.
Is Gordon Ramsay a Michelin star? ›Now internationally renowned and holding 7 Michelin stars, Ramsay has opened a string of successful restaurants across the globe, from Singapore to the United States.
Is Gordon Ramsay restaurant a Michelin star? ›
Ramsay is associated with seven current Michelin Stars, but throughout his career his restaurants have earned a total of 17 stars. His first taste of these coveted awards came in 2001 when his namesake restaurant earned three Michelin Stars.
Can a chef lose a Michelin star? ›Yes, a restaurant can lose its Michelin Star(s).
The Stars are awarded every year based on certain criteria. If the criteria are not met, the restaurant can lose the Star or the Stars they have been awarded previously. This can even happen to the top 25 Michelin Star restaurants.
It's important to clarify that restaurants are awarded Michelin stars, not chefs. There is no such thing as a 'Michelin-starred chef'; if the head chef leaves a restaurant, the star does not go with them.
Who has the highest Michelin star amount? ›Being awarded three Michelin stars is the highest accolade a restaurant can receive. The Michelin Guide is famously secretive about how it decides which restaurants deserve stars and how many.
Does Bobby Flay have any Michelin stars? ›The Las Vegas Mesa Grill earned Flay his only Michelin Star in 2008, which was taken away in the 2009 edition. Michelin did not publish a 2010 or 2011 Las Vegas edition, so the star could not be re-earned.
Who is the world best chef? ›- #1 Dabiz Muñoz. Spain.
- #2 Rene Redzepi. Denmark.
- #3 Joan Roca. Spain.
- #4 Massimo Bottura. Italy.
- #5 Andoni Luis Aduriz. Spain.
- #6 Bjorn Frantzén. Sweden.
- #7 Disfrutar. Spain.
- #8 Alain Passard. France.
As of the 2022 Michelin Guide, there are 14 restaurants in the US with a rating of 3 Michelin stars.
Has anyone ever turned down a Michelin star? ›In 1994, a 32-year-old Marco Pierre White became the youngest chef to achieve three stars at his eponymous restaurant. By 1999, he'd renounced the stars, quitting the restaurant that had made him a culinary star.
Is Jamie Oliver a Michelin star chef? ›However, Jamie doesn't really have one signature dish. Instead he wrote many cookbooks with memorable, easy food. How many Michelin stars does Jamie Oliver have? Jamie Oliver still hasn't received any Michelin Star.