EGYPT-DINNER IN THE SKY Egyptian diners experience thrill of feasting in the sky

Record ID: 161062

  • Title: EGYPT-DINNER IN THE SKY Egyptian diners experience thrill of feasting in the sky
  • Date: 2nd April 2015
  • Summary: CUSTOMER'S FOOT WITH GROUND SEEN DOWN BELOW CRANE
  • Embargoed: 17th April 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA51S3GM8D98JRVTREXXYEJCN41
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Egyptians with an appetite for an adrenaline fuelled experience are taking to one of Cairo's most recent entertainment stunts - a dining experience 50-meters above ground.
    Straight from Belgium, the "Dinner in the Sky" experience has been to 40 countries, featured more than 5000 culinary events world-wide, including the likes of Pierre Gagnaire, Marc Veyrant and others of the world's most recognized chefs. It has also served as a wedding ceremony venue and promotional product placement spot.
    Now the Arab world's most populous country has introduced this unique, fine dining experience in Cairo's Fifth District, a new suburb on the outskirts of the capital.
    Priced at 600 Egyptian pounds (USD79 dollars) per person, this experience will likely be enjoyed by a minority in a country where the poor represent one in four of the population living on less than US1.65 a day.
    But four years from the 2011 uprising that stirred economic instability and stagnation in Egypt, many feel it is time to move forward.
    Dalia Gadallah dangled her feet in the air in excitement.
    "I was very excited that something like this is in Egypt. The country is developing and even the activities are developing. We are all happy this is happening in Egypt and it is a very good experience," she said.
    The four-tonne table is suspended by a cable from a crane. It can seat 22 customers per flight, with a total weight of three-tonnes.
    "It's an amazing feeling. Being high up, near the sun and seeing Egypt from high above. It is a very nice feeling. I love adventure - I do crazier things than this and I really love thrills in general," said another customer, Amr.
    The table's safety has been tested by the Technischer Uberwachungs-Verein (TUV), or the Technical Inspection Association, a German organisation testing product safety.
    In Egypt, it is also required to undergo tests every six months by the BTV (Belgium Testing Agency).
    "It was a little bit scary for me, but once I was up there the fear went away," said Chef Abdel Kader.
    "It's a great feeling, to be honest, to cook while up there. It's something I experienced for the first time," he added.
    The owner of the franchise in Egypt, Hassan Samy Hassan, said the table markets itself because of the exclusivity of the idea. For him the combination of height and tasty food is what gives it edge.
    "The idea is that you go up 50-metres above the ground and afterwards the chefs give you the cooking experience. They cook for you, they don't serve you pre-made food. The idea is you are sitting, and as you can see, there is nothing below your feet, no wall next you and no ceiling above you - this roof is just here to block the sun - otherwise, you are flying. By all means of the word, you are suspended in the air. This is a unique experiment," Hassan said.
    "Dinner in the Sky", which has featured in the Red Sea resort of El-Gouna, has yet to appear in other sites across Egypt. There is currently a proposal to feature the experience near the iconic Giza Pyramids, pending government approval.
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