Amin Abbas

DUBAI: Peruvian-Japanese Cuisine restaurant, Issei Dubai, is inviting food lovers to a sensorial journey with Four Hands Chef Dinner featuring the talents of two female culinary mavericks hailing from Latin America from the 21st of April until the 7th of May.

Issei is partaking in this year’s Dubai Food Festival showcasing various food experiences such as masterclasses, exclusive Chef’s Tables, culinary collaborations, and immersive experiential events.

Peruvian head chef, Luisa Serna and Gabriela Chamorro of “The Girl and The Goose” hailing from Nicaragua will be creating a symphony of flavors and techniques that embody Latin American cuisine; using food as their medium, they aim to tell a story of the rich cultural heritage of their respective countries.

With each dish expertly paired with a drink, this dining experience will take food lovers on a journey from the legendary Andean mountains to the lush tropical landscapes of Central America.

The carefully curated food and drink pairing is a true testament to the beauty and complexity of Latin American cuisine, showcasing traditional techniques and ingredients that have been passed down through generations.

The Four Hands Chef Dinner includes the sweet and savory Sweet Plantain Furikake, a perfect blend of crispy plantain tempura, furikake, Japanese mayo, and pickled ginger served in lettuce cups.

Next, there is the tantalizing Tuna Ceviche Nikkei featuring prime tuna akami, leche de tigre Nikkei, smoked avocado, and crispy rice noodles.

For the main course, there is the Seabass Issei, a grilled seabass dish drenched in Seco Norteño sauce and served with Peruvian Chalakita and Arroz con Choclo, or the Chicken Dumplings Pibil with pickled red onion, caramelized onion, chimichurri, and Morita chili.

For Dessert, there is “From Phillo with Love,” a delectable dessert featuring vanilla Crème Anglaise, almond praline, pineapple, salted caramel, and banana ice cream.

Born in the vibrant city of Piura, Peru, Serna has a fiery passion for food that is matched only by her impressive culinary skills; with a background in both Latin American and Japanese flavors, she brings a unique and creative touch to the kitchen at ISSEI Dubai.

As a graduate of the prestigious Pachacutec Culinary Institute, where she studied under the legendary Gastón Acurio, Serna’s talents were quickly recognized.

Finishing at the top of her class, she was awarded a coveted scholarship to work at the Michelin-starred Devero Restaurant in Devero Hotel & Spa in Milan, Italy, where she honed her skills under the guidance of renowned Chef Enrico Bartolini.

Now at the helm of the kitchen at ISSEI Dubai, Serna’s vision is to take guests on a culinary journey that blends the flavors of Japan and Peru, where Nikkei cuisine originated.

With her commitment to using the finest Peruvian products and Japanese techniques, she creates dishes that are truly unique and unforgettable.

Chef Chamorro is a visionary culinary artist from Latin America, who weaves magic with her dishes, creating intimate dining experiences that are nothing short of unforgettable.

She has an innate ability to tell stories and uses her culinary prowess to take her guests on a sensory journey that’s simply out of this world!

For the past six years, Chamorro has dedicated herself to creating healthier versions of traditional Latin American recipes, all the while elevating them to the level of fine dining cuisine.

 Her menus are a beautiful blend of traditional Nicaraguan recipes and flavors from around the world, making it a truly global culinary experience.

Chamorro’s gastronomic journey took off when she founded the celebrated Girls and the Goose, a Nicaraguan supper club that soon became the talk of Dubai’s buzzing foodie scene.

For three incredible years, she served dishes that impressed diners, and created memories that would last a lifetime.