Matthijs Stinnissen.
Matthijs Stinnissen.
Spending time in Dubai under the attentive care of the UK’s, and perhaps the world’s, best chefs Aikens and Atherton, Matthijs has unparalleled understanding of local ingredients and the varying palates of the Dubai and the UAE market. Joining award-winning Mediterranean restaurant BOCA in February 2018 he kept all the original elements that guests know and love while using his expertise and creativity to take its sustainability drive and menu quality and execution further.
During his tenure at BOCA, the restaurant was one of five from the Arabian Gulf featured in the Truth, Love & Clean Cutlery guidebooks. These are the world’s first guide to truly showcase exemplary, organic, sustainable, and ethical restaurants. BOCA was recognized for its efforts in sourcing locally, collaborating with local and regional fishermen, and farmers in the UAE. Matthijs was recently awarded Caterer Awards 2020 head chef of the year for standalone restaurants. By using techniques such as fermenting, curing, dehydrating, aging, pickling to create new dishes and new dining experiences, Stinnissen is able to use ingredients to their whole capacity and reduce waste significantly.
Matthijs joined BOCA from Jason Atherton’s Marina Social in Dubai where he was posted as Sous Chef working closely with Chef Patron Tristin Farmer, and more recently, Head Chef Craig Best. Matthijs arrived in Dubai with a post at Tom Aikens’ Pots Pans & Boards on Dubai’s Beach in JBR, and previously forged his culinary experience at 1, 2 & 3 Michelin star and “S.Pellegrino’s The World’s 100 Best Restaurants” establishments in the Benelux region.
