MasterChef USA Winner Shaun O’neale Among Trio Of International Champions Heading To MasterChef, The TV Experience Launch In Dubai

Three all-conquering champions from global editions of hit MasterChef TV series are heading to the UAE for the official launch of MasterChef, the TV Experience – the world-first, TV-to-plate dining experience at the all-new Millennium Place Marina hotel in Dubai Marina.

Ahead of the restaurant’s public opening on April 30, the trio of stars – MasterChef USA winner (2016) Shaun O’Neale, MasterChef UK champion (2015) Simon Wood and the youngest-ever MasterChef India winner (2015) Nikita Gandhi – will appear alongside Margarita Vaamonde-Beggs, Head Chef at MasterChef, the TV Experience at an exclusive launch event on April 17.

“More than 200 million people have followed MasterChef contestants’ journeys to glory and fame and now, for the first time, MasterChef, the TV Experience is giving fans and the public a chance to taste dishes they’ve seen on screen through the years,” said Duncan Fraser-Smith, Vice-President of F&B at The First Group, the UAE-based property developer and fast-growing F&B specialist which created MasterChef, the TV Experience in partnership with Endemol Shine Group, the global content creator, producer and distributor.

Meet the champions

Although the guestlist for the April 17 launch event is strictly invite only, fans can get face-to-face with the all-star MasterChef cast during a special preview for the public from 5.30-6.30pm on the same day.

Fraser-Smith also revealed that every member of the public who attends the hour-long preview can add their name to an early bird waiting list to secure a reservation at MasterChef, the TV Experience once it opens. In addition, VIP Tickets to the invite-only evening launch event will be randomly handed out to five lucky people during the meet and greet. Formal reservations for MasterChef, the TV Experience only open from April 30.

“The opportunity to meet these amazing champions, be the first to secure a reservation in the restaurant and ultimately have the chance to attend the VIP launch event are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for MasterChef fans,” added Fraser-Smith. “It’s showtime!”

The host of the MasterChef Celebrity Showdown in 2017, O’Neale, who is still the only MasterChef USA winner to feature on two additional seasons of the show, added: “I’ve been a DJ for 20 years and played some of the biggest nightclubs and pool parties in Las Vegas, but winning MasterChef changed my life,” said the Floridian-born chef, whose is now a recognised culinary force in the USA.

Champion Dishes

The MasterChef, the TV Experience menu features dishes made famous by O’Neale and Wood’s spells on the TV show. Inspired by the pairs’ MasterChef exploits, the menu includes starters such as duck confit tacos and main courses of venison loin rubbed with chilli, or the vegetarian celeriac artichoke with truffle, pears and chestnut.

Having vetted over 120 recipes of champions and finalists from the global shows, Vaamonde-Beggs is excited to be sharing creations that have won the hearts, minds and votes of some of the world’s biggest food critics with UAE diners.

“We recognise that the show has built emotional connection with fans and we’re committed to giving the UAE public opportunities to meet MasterChef champions in person as they visit the restaurant,” said Vaamonde-Beggs. “This first preview event allows keen fans to find out more about the culinary journeys of O’Neale, Wood and Gandhi and their amazing creations.”

For bookings and reservations, please visit www.masterchefdxb.com or contact us at info@masterchefdxb.com or 04 550 8111.