PEAKLIFE

Forces of Nature, a first-of-its-kind gastronomical experience within the culinary world, is the latest in a string of enchanting cultural offerings by the ancient desert oasis of AlUla in Saudi Arabia. From 18th February to 26th February, this pop-up restaurant harnessed the raw power of its natural surroundings in a remote desert canyon, a 40-minute drive from AlUla city, to create an entirely unique dining event as part of the AlUla Moments festival season.

AlUla is a globally significant heritage destination located in an extraordinary geological setting in Saudi Arabia. While the landscape itself is teeming with historical landmarks, a modern renaissance is underway. Tourists and locals alike are attracted to the unique Desert X AlUla art exhibition, which plays out alongside an array of engaging events and experiences that allow visitors to connect with this unique topography in an intimate and engaging manner. The pop-up restaurant takes this philosophy a step further by leveraging the region’s natural abundance to create innovative cuisine through a process that is truly mesmerising to witness.

Experiential gastronomy specialists, Bompas & Parr, have developed the concept by building on the ground-breaking work of Prof. Robert Wysocki, one of the world’s foremost experts in molten rock. In doing so, they created an environment where the cooking of scrumptious delicacies is powered by the black lunar-esque volcanic plateaus, which contrast with the ochre sandstone and lush green oasis of the AlUla region. Those who were lucky enough to enjoy this dining experience relished an incredible opportunity to binge on sumptuous local produce, cooked across a stream of molten lava, heated to a staggering 1350 degrees Celsius.

To create these epicurean delights, lava technicians poured out the molten rocks in a performance spectacle. The especially-designed lava furnace served as the cooking surface on which the guests’ dinner was seared to perfection in mere seconds, or smoked, roasted and grilled over three roaring fire pits. The immersive experience featured a phenomenal set menu that included whole, salt-baked celeriac, charred fillets of beef finished across molten lava, and pit-roasted saddles of goat grilled across fire pits.

The decadent chocolate lava cake was an obvious favourite, and a perfect homage to the cooking process itself. The food was prepared using the finest local ingredients sourced from regional suppliers. The explosive flavours and captivating ambience brought the heart of the volcano directly to the table. The beverages encompassed smoked, flamed and charred mocktails, as well as coffee and tea, heated tableside.

In the midst of the desert, under a starry sky, the guests were flanked by formidable rock formations and comfortably enveloped in good company, spectacular artistry, and luscious food and drink.