Farmhouse by Syrco

Hats off to The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah in Al Wadi Desert. While the Northern Emirates have not traditionally been on the radar of international chefs, Farmhouse is a farm-to-table menu inspired by forward-thinking Dutch chef Syrco Bakker, who has very much found a home in the desert.

Bakker spent 13 years in fine dining restaurants in the Netherlands, making a name for himself at Sergio Herman’s Pure C and launching Syrco BASÈ Ubud, Bali, early last year. The latter strongly emphasises local producers, something he has replicated in the UAE – fostering relationships and promoting sustainable practices alongside the food ecosystem of Ras Al Khaimah.

With the picturesque desert as a backdrop, the restaurant thrives on local influences, with a tasting menu showcasing home-grown and locally sourced produce – or “conscious dining” as Bakker calls it.

As such, Bakker’s menus are adaptable, shifting with the desert seasons, meaning that his recipes range from produce grown on site, plus pickled and fermented vegetables, to smoked or grilled meats and fish. Dishes like steak tartare with tagine seasoning and cured fish with zaatar and aloe vera shine in their technical precision and pure flavour.

With panoramic views of the dunes and wandering oryx, there is an evident sense of dining around the best in Emirati nature. Aligning with Bakker’s values of sustainability and authentic ingredients, the desert seems a fitting location for him to exercise his specific approach to cooking. While many chefs talk about sustainability and harnessing the bounty of nature’s larder, Bakker has actually done it, honouring Emirati traditions and heritage, for which we applaud him.

Source: farmhouse-by-syrco