From Switzerland to Abu Dhabi: Meet Bab Al Qasr’s Culinary Maestro, Chef Yvan Marclay

When you’ve spent over four decades in kitchens around the world, you learn a thing or two about flavour, and for Chef Yvan Marclay, Executive Chef at Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences, that means one thing:

“You can never say no to pasta.”

The Swiss-born culinary artist is the star of Episode 3 of the Lovin Chef Series, bringing a world of experience, precision, and passion to the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche

Chef Yvan’s story begins in Switzerland, where he cooked his first dish…Veal Blanquette, at just twelve years old. What followed was a career that took him across the globe: from Hilton kitchens in Malaysia, Egypt, and Kenya to the luxurious resorts of the Maldives and now Bab Al Qasr in Abu Dhabi.

Every stop shaped his signature style… a fusion of European discipline and Mediterranean soul, where every dish tells a story.

 

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At Bab Al Qasr’s Rosemary Restaurant, Chef Yvan redefines dining as a sensory experience.

His philosophy? “Flavour isn’t just about taste…it’s memory, emotion, and connection”

One of his boldest concepts, ‘Dining in the Dark’ at Fresh Basil Pitch Black Dining, invites guests to explore food without sight, heightening every aroma, texture, and flavour.  It’s a reflection of his belief that true dining engages every sense.

Despite his impressive resume, spanning five-star hotels and international culinary festivals, Chef Yvan remains grounded in the simple joy of cooking for others at Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences.

Catch the full story in Episode 3 of the Lovin Chef Series, where mastery meets meaning and every flavour tells a tale

Imp Deets

Watch the episode: Chef Series | Episode 3 with Chef Yvan Marclay at Bab Al Qasr
Location: Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences, Abu Dhabi
Featured Restaurant: Rosemary – A Mediterranean Fusion Experience