Introduction: A Table Where Dubai’s Chefs Come Together
Dubai’s restaurant scene is full of talent, but chefs rarely get to cook side by side. When they do, the result is usually something special. That is the idea behind José & Friends, a chef-collaboration luncheon hosted by Tasca by José Avillez at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai. It brings together well-known names from the city’s dining community for one afternoon of shared cooking, live music and Portuguese hospitality.
The most recent edition I could find, José & Friends: Chapter Two, took place on Sunday, 8 February 2026, in partnership with Gault&Millau. This article is based on the published details of that event. If a newer edition has been announced, dates, chefs and prices may differ, so check the restaurant’s official channels.
What Is José & Friends?
José & Friends is a collaborative lunch in which Tasca opens its kitchen to chefs from across Dubai. According to the Gault&Millau announcement, the afternoon is a vibrant mix of live music and culinary collaboration, with chefs coming together to shape a menu inspired by the spirit of Portuguese hospitality.
The idea fits Tasca’s personality. The word “tasca” means tavern in Portuguese, and the restaurant is built around sharing, generosity and a relaxed, convivial mood. A chef-collaboration lunch is a natural extension of that approach, because it turns the meal into a celebration of the people who cook in the city.
Event Details at a Glance
According to the published announcement for Chapter Two:
- Date: Sunday, 8 February 2026
- Time: 12:30pm to 4:00pm
- Venue: Tasca by José Avillez, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
- Price: AED 800, including a five-course menu and soft beverages
- Extras: Sommelier pairings available on the day
- Entertainment: Live music
The experience was described as one afternoon only, which made it a limited, special occasion rather than a regular menu item.
The Chefs Behind the Lunch
The menu was curated by José Avillez together with Tasca head chef José Barroso. Barroso has worked alongside Avillez since 2012 and has contributed to several of his acclaimed restaurants, so he knows the chef’s style well.
Gault&Millau also announced a lineup of guest chefs from Dubai’s dining scene, including Soleiman Haddad of Moonrise and Kelvin Cheung of Jun’s. I haven’t found a full list of every participating chef, so I won’t guess at the others.
Having chefs from different backgrounds in one kitchen is the real draw. Each brings a distinct style, and the combination can produce dishes you wouldn’t find on any single restaurant’s menu.
Who Is José Avillez?
José Avillez is widely regarded as one of the great figures of Portuguese gastronomy. He is best known for Belcanto in Lisbon, which holds two Michelin stars, and he has a portfolio of restaurants across Portugal. According to The World’s 50 Best, he helped put Portugal on the culinary map after taking over Belcanto in 2012.
Tasca in Dubai is his first restaurant outside Portugal, and it later earned a Michelin star of its own. In an interview with The National, Avillez described the restaurant’s philosophy as “fun dining” rather than fine dining, saying he wanted it to be free of fussiness or pretension. That attitude explains why a chef collaboration like this feels natural at Tasca.
About Tasca by José Avillez
Tasca sits on the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Downtown skyline on one side and a terrace with an infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Gulf on the other.
The Menu
The cooking is contemporary Portuguese, with fresh fish and seafood, signature rice dishes, Josper-grilled meats and plates designed for sharing. Classics have been reworked for a modern audience. The World’s 50 Best highlights dishes such as Bulhão Pato clams and Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, a traditional salt cod dish from Porto.
The Drinks
The wine list features the largest selection of Portuguese wines in Dubai, alongside craft cocktails. The restaurant also has an Infinity Bar, which Mandarin Oriental promotes as a place to enjoy cocktails at sunset.
Regular Opening Hours
According to the Mandarin Oriental website, lunch runs from 12:30pm to 3pm, Sunday to Friday, with brunch on Saturdays from 12:30pm to 4pm, and dinner from 6:30pm to 11pm. Hours can change, so confirm before you go.
What Makes This Luncheon Different?
A Chef Collaboration, Not a Regular Menu
Most restaurant meals show the work of one kitchen. A collaboration lunch is different because several chefs shape the menu. Guests get to taste a mix of styles and ideas, which makes the afternoon feel more like an event than a standard meal.
A Fixed Five-Course Format
A set five-course menu gives the chefs room to tell a story. Each course can show a different personality, and the pacing lets guests relax and enjoy the whole experience. At AED 800, the ticket includes soft beverages, and sommelier pairings were available for those who wanted to explore Portuguese wine.
Live Music and a Relaxed Mood
Tasca is known for live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays, and this event added live music to a Sunday afternoon. Combined with the terrace views and a long lunch window, the setting encourages guests to linger.
A Celebration of Dubai’s Community
The luncheon honours the people who make Dubai’s dining scene what it is. Chefs from different restaurants rarely share a kitchen, so the event is also a chance for guests to see them working together.
Who Should Attend?
This kind of event suits:
- Food lovers who enjoy chef collaborations and one-off menus.
- Fans of Portuguese cuisine who want to see it through a different lens.
- Couples and friends looking for a long, leisurely weekend lunch.
- Gift-givers who want to offer an experience rather than an object.
- Wine enthusiasts interested in Portuguese pairings.
Tips for Making the Most of the Experience
- Book early. One-afternoon events are limited and tend to sell out.
- Arrive on time. A set menu works best when everyone starts together.
- Consider the wine pairing. Tasca has the largest Portuguese wine list in Dubai, so pairings add real value.
- Mention dietary needs in advance. Set menus need preparation, and most kitchens can adjust if they know early.
- Dress smart casual. The venue is polished but relaxed.
- Take your time. The event runs for several hours, so don’t rush.
- Plan your transport. If you choose pairings, arrange a driver or taxi in advance.
Why Events Like This Matter
Chef collaborations do more than fill seats. They encourage creativity, because chefs work outside their usual routines. They strengthen the local community, since cooks from different restaurants learn from each other. And they give diners a chance to discover places and names they might not have tried otherwise.
For Dubai, a city that has grown quickly into a serious culinary destination, events like José & Friends show the scene’s maturity. Chefs no longer compete only for attention. They also celebrate each other.
How to Find Future Editions
Because the event has run as a numbered series, with Chapter Two held in February 2026, another edition may follow. To stay informed, follow Tasca by José Avillez and Mandarin Oriental Jumeira on social media, check the restaurant’s page on the Mandarin Oriental website and watch Gault&Millau UAE for announcements. Tickets and details are usually released a few weeks before the date.
FAQs
José & Friends is a chef-collaboration luncheon at Tasca by José Avillez, held with Gault&Millau. Chefs from across Dubai’s dining scene come together to shape a menu inspired by Portuguese hospitality, with live music.
Chapter Two was held on Sunday, 8 February 2026, from 12:30pm to 4:00pm. Check official channels for any newer editions.
It’s on the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, with views of the Downtown skyline and the Arabian Gulf.
Tickets for Chapter Two were AED 800, including a five-course menu and soft beverages. Sommelier pairings were available on the day.
The menu was curated by José Avillez and Tasca head chef José Barroso. Guest chefs included Soleiman Haddad of Moonrise and Kelvin Cheung of Jun’s. I haven’t found a full list of participants.
Conclusion: One Afternoon, Many Flavours
A luncheon like José & Friends captures what makes Dubai’s food scene exciting: world-class talent, a spectacular setting and a willingness to experiment. At Tasca, those ingredients come together with Portuguese warmth, a sea-and-skyline view and a table full of chefs who clearly enjoy cooking together.
If you love food, good company and a long, leisurely afternoon, keep an eye out for the next edition. It’s the kind of meal people remember long after the last course.
