Dubai values a guest chef moment, now and then. As the new year kicks off, INA Dubai opens its kitchen to Danny Africano, chef-owner of Lignum in County Galway, for a special edition of its Masters of Fire Guest Chef Series. The collaboration brings two chef-led evenings to INA Dubai on January 7 and 8, starting 6.30 pm onwards. Danny will guide diners through his flame-driven philosophy.
A Two-Day Fire-Led Dining Experience Arrives In Dubai
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INA’s focus on fire as a cooking method is majestic. Here, flame is an ingredient, not just a way of cooking. Africano is a natural fit in such an environment. His cooking leans heavily on wood-fired techniques, fermentation, and seasonality. He highly believes in working with local produce. At INA, those values translate easily, and the collab sails smoother than we expected.
The Chef Behind Lignum’s Rise
Africano founded Lignum in 2019, naming it after the Latin word for “wood.” The restaurant earned its first Michelin Guide star in 2025. It’s stand high among Ireland’s most irresistible dining destinations. Africano’s style reflects his Italian heritage and rural Irish upbringing in his dishes. Afterall, his style is shaped further by gaining experience in Singapore, New York, and Melbourne.
Fire and smoke play protagonist in his food, but are accompanied by other surprising elements.
What To Expect On The Plate
The menu at INA highlights include brown crab paired with pine nut paste, sweet cicely, and caviar. A black garlic tartlet arrives topped with aged beef tartare and smoked Attica cream. Grilled squid comes with coriander paste, braised kombu in blueberry, almond milk, and Lignum preserves.
Then there’s the showstopper: BBQ blue lobster with pumpkin and strega sauce, finished with rhubarb root oil and fig leaf oil, served alongside wood-fired olive oil brioche.
Also Read: Dubai’s Cult Favourite, Pitfire Pizza, Finally Arrives In Abu Dhabi
Two Nights With The Chef, A Month To Savour
Africano will be at INA on January 7 and 8 to launch the menu and share the thought behind each dish. After that, the collaboration continues throughout the month. So don’t worry if you miss it tomorrow, you have a month to indulge in his creations at INA Dubai. This isn’t about hype alone. You need to understand his techniques, tradition, and trust in the flame.
Purpose-driven cooking is always welcomed in Dubai with open arms, and such collaborations with recognised chefs deliver exactly that.
Cover Image Courtesy: INA Dubai/Instagram
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