Jas Hospitality appoints executive chef for new Fümé restaurant

Culinary globetrotter Grant Brunsden puts new spin on world food as all-new destination dining concept gears up to open in Dubai Marina's Pier 7 restaurant tower; sneak preview of menu to be showcased at Christmas Festival in December

UAE-headquartered hospitality and lifestyle development company, Jas Group, has announced the appointment of Grant Brunsden as executive chef for Fümé, the company's second Dubai restaurant and a new international dining concept serving simple but exceptional dishes from around the world.

A British national with over 20 years' international culinary experience, this is his second project for the Jas group following the opening of Qbara, a contemporary Middle Eastern outlet located at Wafi Pyramids.

Ahead of the 140-seater licensed restaurant's scheduled February 2014 opening in the new Pier 7 restaurant tower in the heart of the vibrant Dubai Marina district, he will be cooking live at the upcoming Christmas Festival, which takes place at Dubai Media City from 5-7 December 2013.

Grant has worked with some of the UK's Michelin-starred culinary greats including Chris Oakes at the Stafford Hotel in London, where he honed his knowledge of classic British cuisine and Fergus Henderson from the world-famous St John Restaurant near to the capitals' famed Smithfield Market.

As well as a solid grounding in his native cuisine, Grant's combined love of travel and Asian food - especially Japanese – saw him swap British tradition for an entirely new experience at popular London restaurant, Tsunami. He subsequently moved to the world-renowned Zuma under Chef Colin Clague before joining acclaimed Australian restaurateur Will Ricker as head chef and culinary advisor for his portfolio of London restaurants.

“Our latest project is a perfect match for Grant's culinary skillset, with an eclectic menu that ranges from European classics to Asian favourites; a part of the world that he has a personal passion for, and which is reflected in his globetrotting collection of dishes,” said Angelo Rosato, Operations Manager, Fümé.

Prior to relocating to Dubai last June, Grant spent several years in India and China, where he opened contemporary Japanese restaurant Ai in New Delhi and spearheaded the launch of the highly successful and multi award-winning M1NT Restaurant & Grill in Shanghai.

“Dubai's reputation for culinary innovation is growing all the time and it's a real buzz to be at the heart of it and to have the opportunity to introduce the market to a new concept that is all about offering a great local experience with an international remit, but where quality seasonal ingredients and value for money combine to create something unique for customers who really understand and appreciate good food,” Grant said.

“Prospective customers will be able to get a sneak peak of our new menu at next month's Christmas Festival with Grant cooking up four of his signature dishes including hot oak-smoked Loch Duart salmon with yakitori sauce, grilled lamb cutlets in Korean spices accompanied by pickled red cabbage, and one of my favourites, slow-cooked Black Angus beef brisket with piccalilli,” said Rosato.

The first-of-its-kind in the region, Fümé is an unpretentious local neighbourhood eatery with a menu of refreshingly affordable home-style dishes designed to reflect Dubai's multicultural population. The extensive menu features a collection of classic preparations as well as dishes found on the dinner table in homes around the world.