��������

DUBAI: Italian chef Antoine Di Fazio, known for his championship-winning pizza-making prowess, is taking on an altogether unexpected challenge in ��������.

On Tuesday night, the chef will present Irish brand Silver Hill’s roasted duck in two Middle Eastern-style dishes with an experimental twist.

Diners at Levantine Restaurant, DoubleTree by Hilton in Riyadh, will be treated to the chef’s thoughtful take on food that bridges cultures.

He told Arab News ahead of the event: “For sure, duck is not a common ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, but things are changing quickly.

“Arabs are traveling more, discovering new tastes, and are eager to experience different cuisines. As an executive chef, I always strive to innovate and create fusion concepts.”

“�������� itself offers immense inspiration, with so many traditional dishes to learn from. Over my decades here, I’ve had the privilege of learning from each region.”

Di Fazio has opted to create two traditional Saudi dishes with a twist. First, guests will be treated to Jareesh or cracked wheat. It is a staple grain in the Kingdom and the wider Middle East.

The chef and his team will cook the grains until tender with ghee, caramelized onion, Arabic spices, and dried lemon. Instead of chicken, Silver Hill duck will be featured, which “adds a richer, more distinctive flavor,” said Di Fazio.

Next up, Saleeg will be made with Egyptian rice, milk, butter, olive oil, mastika (Arabic gum), and a blend of spices. Traditionally served with chicken, this time around duck will enhance the creaminess of the dish.

“Technically, yes, it can be challenging, especially as an Italian chef, to balance flavors and reach the right taste,” he explained of the cooking process.

“But after years of studying traditional food and cooking in ��������, I’ve adapted. I also collaborate closely with a committee of Arabic chefs, who I often turn to for advice and refinement.”

Di Fazio, who placed fifth at the Pizza World Cup in Napoli in 2011 and won the Italian Pizza Cup in 2012, is also a special advisor to Italian chefs through the World Association of Chef’s Societies.

“There were many challenges at the start, especially when I first introduced Italian food here. People were less familiar with authentic Italian cuisine. But with patience, consistency, and passion, I gained great joy in showing Middle Eastern diners the richness of true Italian flavors,” he said.

“Italian cuisine is deeply rooted in tradition and heritage, with each region offering unique dishes and stories — just like in ��������. There is so much more to discover beyond the basics,” he added.

ABU DHABI: Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi hosted a thought-provoking exchange on Sunday as Palestinian-American stand-up comedian and actor Mo Amer joined Egyptian technologist and author Mo Gawdat for a panel titled “The Power of Personal Narratives in the Age of AI” at the annual Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries.

Over the course of the discussion, Gawdat — Google X’s former chief business officer and a prominent voice on artificial intelligence — warned of the rapid pace of technological change. “AI is already smarter than us in everything,” he said, adding that society faces a choice: use these tools to improve life or allow them to fuel greed, war, and control.

While he acknowledged AI’s transformative potential, Gawdat insisted that “it will never create a comedian,” because true comedy requires a uniquely human spark.

Amer responded with his trademark humor and touching perspective. Born in Kuwait and raised in the US, he recalled discovering stand-up in Houston and realizing immediately “this was it” because of the raw storytelling the art form allows.

“Comedy is the greatest art,” he told the audience, emphasizing that every comedian offers a different truth and connection. Amer reflected on his own journey to representation on platforms such as Netflix, hoping young viewers can see themselves in his story and feel empowered to tell their own.

The conversation moved fluidly between technology, faith, and creativity. Gawdat mused on whether AI could ever possess a “spark of spirit,” while Amer countered that humanity’s heart and soul cannot be replicated by machines.

When asked if he is scared that he could be replaced by AI, Amer said: “I’m not scared of AI because AI can never be me. A joke written by me, delivered by someone else, will never be the same. That’s happened to me before where I go up on stage and be like, ‘Let me show you how the joke is done.’ The joke kills and everyone’s laughing and they go, ‘Oh, it’s the person who is delivering the joke, who is the author of the joke, who really lands it.’”