Pinoy college dropout creates special menu for New Year's Eve Burj Khalifa fireworks, laser show

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A college dropout who used to wash dishes in a Manila restaurant to support his parents and siblings is now an award-winning chef at a classy Japanese restaurant here, where he has created a set menu for AED5,000 front-row, dinner seats to the upcoming Burj Khalifa New Year's Eve fireworks display and laser show.

“Looking back,” said Executive Chef Ricardo Bojador, “the highlight of my career has been the people I have had the opportunity to work, learn, and grow with.”

“It has been a colorful and rewarding career.”

Bojador, 43, runs the kitchen operations at Kata, which has just recently opened in the Dubai Mall located across the Dubai Fountain, an iconic tourist spot popular for its musical water and light shows similar to the Bellagio Fountain at the Bellagio Resort on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada.

The restaurant, which attracts European and Arab visitors, is also very close to the stunning Burj Khalifa tower, the world’s tallest man-made structure at 828 meters. Burj Khalifa is slated to feature a cutting-edge, fireworks display and laser show illuminating the Dubai skyline with numerous dazzling beams, attempting to establish a new world record for the largest laser display.

“Nakakataba ng puso ang pamunuan ang isang restaurant na homegrown. Medyo challenging siya kasi kung baga bago ang pangalan at nagpapakilala pa lang kami. Pero handa kami sa mga challenges,” Bojador, a Bicolano, said.

(It warms my heart to lead a homegrown restaurant. It’s a bit challenging because the restaurant is new and we are still introducing it to the market. But we are prepared for the challenges.)

Bojador said Kata offers Japanese cuisine “with a twist,” and so among its bestsellers are the Kata Salad, Scottish Salmon Tataki, Burj Khalifa Roll, Baked Chilean Seabass, Spicy lamb Chops, Wagyu Truffle Rice Pot for starters and mains, as well Balloonium and Oishi Chocolate for dessert on the spread, among others.

“Sa profession namin, lagi andyan ang pressure. Lagi namin sinisiguro na bago namin bitawan ang isang dish ay ikinonsider lahat ng aspeto – texture, temperature, presentation and so on. We always make sure we give value for money using premium ingredients,” said Bojador, who went to college at University of the East – Recto as a working student and had wanted to pursue a career in law. He, however, quit schooling to work full time and provide financial support to his parents and siblings.

(In our profession, the pressure is always there. We always ensure that we have considered all aspects – texture, temperature, presentation and so on – before we serve the dish.)

Bojador is preparing for something he may consider the height of his career, having designed what has been described in restaurant circles as a “creative and bold menu” for customers booking seats at Kata for the New Year’s Eve event.

Kata has three options – indoors; on the terrace; or at the exclusive promenade setting, which has a view of the Burj Khalifa tower.

In an announcement, Kata said the indoor house package, which has no access to the promenade, is at AED1,500 per person; premium package is AED2,000.

The terrace package, which also has no access to the promenade, is at AED2,200 and AED2,800, respectively for house and premium packages.

The promenade package, which seats 40 people and has an unrestricted view of the fireworks display and laser show is at AED4,000 and AED5,000 per person respectively for house and premium packages.

Bojador’s set menu “will take diners on a culinary journey of note,” the restaurant announcement stated. There will be an amuse-bouche to welcome guests before a range of delicious appetizers and snacks such as a seaweed salad, Karaage Chicken and assorted signature sashimi. Then it’s onto the mains of Baked Chilean Seabass, Truffle Tenderloin and Miso Cauliflower Steak. The evening’s menu is capped off perfectly with a choice of two Kata special desserts - the Valloonium or Oishi Chocolate.

Bojador’s Dubai journey began in 2006 when he arrived in the city to try his luck. Soon he was working at a Japanese restaurant washing dishes and receiving deliveries. He slowly worked his way up, being eventually assigned to the restaurant’s sushi bar before finally having a chance to work as demi chef two years later at Jumeirah Group Hotels, which runs high-end dining venues. 

He got on board to be part of Kata’s opening team in mid-November. His creations also include the now-famous Kata Maki Roll with Striploin Beef, Caviar and Foie Gras, and the Black Sesame Creme Brûlée Dessert.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News