Puerto Banús will be the epicenter of high Chinese and Arab cuisine this Saturday

The luxurious Puerto Banús will become the epicenter of high-end Chinese and Arab cuisines on Saturday, July 12, with the celebration of the 'Marbella International Gastronomy Gala,' which will be attended by 280 diners, as reported this Thursday by the CEO of the concessionary company, Juan Núñez.

This was highlighted by the company's representative at the presentation of the event, where he was accompanied by the General Director of Tourism of the Andalusian Government, Gemma del Corral, the Mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, and chefs Heba Kharouf and Zhao Xiaowei.

Núñez emphasized that the event “consolidates Puerto Banús after 4 years of high-level gastronomic galas,” recalling that previous editions have featured chefs from Malaga cuisine and Michelin stars from the province.

“This year we wanted to take a more international turn, and what better way to enjoy a friendly competition between Arab and Chinese cuisines to experience both cultures in Puerto Banús,” he mentioned, in addition to turning the marina into an “epicenter of high gastronomy.”

The event is driven by the Plan Turístico de Grandes Ciudades of the Andalusian Government and will take place at the Marina's Muelle de honor at 20:00 hours, an evening that will bring together two renowned international chefs in a tribute to culinary diversity. During the gala, a message from the mayor of Hangzhou, the hometown of chef Zhao Xiaowei, will be broadcast.

Evening Menu

The menu will consist of fatté of eggplant cooked in tomato sauce, yogurt with garlic, and toasted pine nuts. It will be followed by duck with caramelized lotus and ham in a fusion of Chinese and Western cuisines, as explained by the chefs who will cook for the 280 diners.

The main dishes will be baked sea bass with tahini and mustard sauce, capers, and garlic, as well as Dongpo steak, a traditional Chinese dish made with slow-cooked beef belly in soy sauce and rice wine, topped with a caramelized upper layer. The dessert for the evening will be knafé with melted cheese, orange blossom syrup, pistachios, and rose petals, originating from Palestine.

The General Director of Tourism of the Andalusian Government highlighted that the gala is the result of collaboration between the City Council and the Government to develop the Plan Turístico de Grandes Ciudades, emphasizing that the event “promotes the Marbella destination through international gastronomy in a unique and emblematic place known worldwide as Puerto Banús”

Corral has highlighted “the internationalization character of the gala,” which provides “that international tourist promotion we need from our star destinations, especially in such an important segment as the premium one.”

For her part, the Mayor of Marbella has emphasized that “it is not just a culinary event, but it responds to a very planned policy for promoting our town within the framework of the Plan Turístico de Grandes Ciudades.”

Chef Heba Kharouf inherited her passion for cooking from her Syrian mother and Palestinian father, finding in traditional recipes the way to connect with her roots, captivating her restaurant Farah to actress Eva Longoria.

Meanwhile, chef Zhao Xiaowei is one of the leading exponents of traditional Zhejiang cuisine, with 25 years of experience and currently the head of the Mingren Mingia chain, which has 12 restaurants in China and has received numerous awards.