Alain Ducasse is a culinary legend and acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest chefs. The multi-award-winning Michelin-starred chef has a global empire spanning hotels, restaurants, cookbook,s and culinary schools.
Born in Southwest France, Alain Ducasse was brought up on his parent’s farm where his passion for fresh, seasonal produce was formed. This passion is seen today through the selection of the finest ingredients and produce for IDAM, his spectacular restaurant based at the iconic Islamic Museum of Art here in Doha.
At the age of 61, Ducasse certainly shows no signs of slowing down. I recently had a chat with he and IDAM Executive Chef Damien Nicolas Leroux during Ducasse’s recent visit to Qatar to explore the crossroads of culture and cuisine.
AD: Energy is a decision. You can decide whether you have the energy or not.
DNL: As much as we can, we try to source local ingredients. Spices from Souq Waqif, fish from the local market, fruit and vegetables from the wholesale market. But it’s not always easy to provide. I work with a local company to grow produce, and I also try to incorporate Middle Eastern flavours and ingredients into my recipes.
DNL: When I first arrived in Qatar I thought it would be difficult to find local produce – but now, I find new ingredients every day. When I worked in Paris it was very easy to find great produce. Here in Qatar it’s been a challenge to find specific ingredients, but this has made me become more creative and pushed me to cross the line to discover new concepts. I love to see new possibilities.
AD: The most unique restaurants are here in the GCC. Every day there seems to be a new restaurant – a lot more than in Europe.
AD: Food trends come and go so fast. I truly want to stay unique. I prefer to be the ‘haute couture’ of fashion and remain different. I want the restaurant to be accessible for everyone. My vision is not to see ‘trends’, but to remain faithful to my own food philosophy.
DNL: Fashion changes. Consistency is the key in the food world. We decide a level and we deliver that every day.
AD: I love architecture, and there is a parallel between my food and the location.
AD: I wanted to offer the finest ingredients possible. Wherever the location in the world, I will always take whatever local ingredients are available. There is no ‘globalization’ of the Alain Ducasse name. For instance, in Tokyo my guests are local and in Doha my guests are local. I have a global vision and a local expression. The concept is about localization and not globalization.
DNL: We work together closely and share ideas constantly for the menu.
AD: It’s French technique with a taste from the Middle East – including India and Lebanon. I personally check the flavours and ingredients that are used to create the IDAM menu. I have expectations that my chef will carry out my vision by using the freshest and finest local ingredients.
AD: Yes, I cook whatever is growing in my garden. I keep it very simple. I have a five-year-old daughter and she is now learning to cook from me.
AD: To share my vision, knowledge, and philosophy to everyone in the world including my chefs.
AD: If you constantly do the same thing over and over again, you don’t have room to grow as a chef. I don’t like habits – I like to challenge habits because this is a way to learn and grow. When someone tells me ‘This is how I do it all the time’, I tell them ‘Now is the time to change’.
DNL: Alain likes to say ‘There are no good habits’. Learn from someone else, share with someone else. Cooking is all about sharing knowledge – nothing should be kept a secret.
Have you visited IDAM? What do you think are the most important elements of crafting cuisine that is both local in vision and international to the palate? Drop us a line and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Also – don’t forget to give us a like and a share – it keeps us going!
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
You have successfully registered your account!
Please confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL sent to you.The e-mail usually arrives in 5-10 minutes.
How ajeeb was that!? Thanks for contributing to our community! Your post will appear after we take a quick look!
