Dubai’s food scene is set for a flavorful shake-up this June 18 as two acclaimed Southeast Asian chefs—Chef Akmal Anuar of Harummanis and Chef JP Anglo of Kooya Filipino Eatery—team up for a rare culinary collaboration celebrating heritage, family, and shared culture.
Dubbed a “Many Hands” dinner, the exclusive one-night event will transform Harummanis into a communal Southeast Asian dining space, drawing inspiration from the kamayan feast of the Philippines and Indonesia’s nasi padang. Guests will enjoy six dishes—three from each chef—served directly on banana leaves, a nod to the generations who shared meals hand-in-hand, without plates or utensils, just tradition and togetherness.
The AED 275-per-person menu features a deeply nostalgic lineup of dishes, including Chef JP’s Beef Belly with Burnt Coconut and Ayam Masak Merah, while sides like sambal, jasmine rice, and grated coconut with ginamos (fermented fish) bring texture and depth. The dinner will close with a playful dessert fusion: Halo-Halo x Ais Kacang, a collaboration between Kooya and Harummanis.
Chef Akmal, known for elevating his hawker stall roots into elegant, heartfelt dishes, and Chef JP, a fierce advocate of bold Filipino flavors, both carry a deep reverence for their cultural roots. Together, they promise an intimate evening of storytelling through food—soulful, sincere, and unforgettable.
