Coco Collection is excited to partner with Colin Clague, the award-winning Executive Chef of Rüya Dubai, on a very special chef residency to bring Turkish cuisine to the shores of Coco Bodu Hithi. He will be creating two fantastic dinners for guests at our overwater seafood restaurant, Aqua, on 11th and 15th August as well as a special masterclass on 14th August.
With six restaurants and bars, Coco Bodu Hithi offers a variety of exquisite cuisines, taking inspiration from the Maldives and further afield. Colin’s exclusive 6-course tasting menus will reflect his creations at Rüya Dubai, showcasing Anatolian flavours with a local twist.
The two menus created by Chef Colin for Coco Bodu Hithi:
11th August Menu
Amuse-bouche:Borek
Filo-wrapped feta cheese with carrots, zucchini, & walnuts
Pre-starter:Levrek
Seabass sashimi with mustard, apple, and shaved radish
Starter:Yer elmasi corbasi
Jerusalem artichoke soup with smoked eggplant purée
Seafood:Grilled Tiger Prawn
Pickled fennel butter
Main:300-Day Grain Fed Beef
Turkish coffee & isot rub and crispy za’atar potatoes
Dessert:Firin Sutlaç
Traditional Anatolian rice pudding with raspberries, rose ice cream, and lokum
15th August Menu
Amuse-bouche: Isli patlican
Smoked eggplant purée with walnuts, crispy coated eggplant crisps
Pre-starter: Tuna
Raw tuna, antep pistachio purée, puffed Turkish chilli rice
Starter: Lamb Manti
Tomato, roast garlic, yoghurt, and thyme
Seafood: Zeytinyagli ahtapot
Marinated grilled octopus, black eyed beans, and apple vinaigrette
Main: 24-Hour Slow Cooked Short Rib
Turkish chilli BBQ glaze, spiced konya chickpea purée
Dessert: Orange & Almond Revani
Orange and almond cake with orange caramel, and fennel ice cream
Colin joined Rüya Dubai, a new Anatolian restaurant concept, in 2016. Colin said regarding his inspiration, “I first moved to the Middle East to open the prestigious Burj al Arab hotel, then later in 2007 to open Zuma Dubai, and never left! After Zuma, one of the restaurants I opened was the award-winning Q’bara restaurant, a modern Levant restaurant, serving modern interpretations of Middle East classics.
Through Q’bara I met my future business partners, Rasim and Umut Ozkanka, who said that this is exactly what they wanted to do with Turkish food, and that’s why we created Rüya. Our aim is to put Turkish food right up there with the other great food cultures of the world.”
Through the years, Colin’s dedication and passion saw him acquired extensive industry experience that spans the globe. Chef Colin’s upcoming residency at Coco Bodu Hithi promises to showcase best quality ingredients to create sublime flavours executed with simplicity and finesse.