Meet the Luxembourg Pavilion team in Dubai: Kim Kevin de Dood

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

We’re excited to introduce you to the people working at Expo 2020 Dubai. During 6 unforgettable months, they’ll assure that the message of the Luxembourg Pavilion resonates in all its vibrancy.

Today, you’ll meet KimKevin de Dood, Executive Chef of the Schengen Lounge.

What is your name and what do you do at the Luxembourg Pavilion?

My name is Kim Kevin de Dood, 30 years old and I am the Executive Chef of the Pavilion. So I am pretty much in charge of all Food and Beverage happenings in the Pavilion and in the Restaurant.

What motivated you to work at the Luxembourg Pavilion?

The once-in-lifetime opportunity and the challenge of representing my own country on a global scale and pleasing all our foreign and local guests.

What does a day at the Luxembourg Pavilion look like?

I usually arrive at the Pavilion at 10 am, then quickly check the Daily deliveries that arrive at the pavilion from our Jumeirah partners.

After that, I brief my Kitchen Team on the day’s special events, customers etc. From 10:30 to 12:00 I usually help the kitchen to finish all the mise en place (preparations) for lunch service and I make my daily round of the VIP Room and Restaurant to make sure everything is set and ready.

Around 12:30 we start our Lunch Service until around 3 pm.

After that, I start my Paperwork: check my emails and make sure all the bookings in the Restaurant are up to date. I also make the ordering in the afternoon.

At 4:30 pm I brief the evening team. If there is an event, I ensure that the setup is done as per our guest’s request and I make sure everyone knows what is going on.

During the dinner shift that starts around 6 pm, I ensure the smooth running of the kitchen and service.

I usually try to go see our guests to get their feedback so that I will be able to adapt our Food or Service offerings if necessary.

My day usually finishes around 10 pm, but on busy days it can be as late as midnight or even later.

What is your favorite aspect of working for the Luxembourg Pavilion and for Expo 2020 Dubai?

Really the whole experience and the people that I can meet. I just love to go eat out in different country restaurants and to try their food so that is a great aspect too.

What is your favorite part of the Luxembourg Pavilion?

I am a little biased and have to say the Schengen Lounge and the cozy Terrace as there is great food, drinks, and the people I work the closest with.

The slide is great fun too and it can also be very helpful during events to get from the top floor back to my kitchen in no time.

What is the most important lesson you have learned during your time working for the Luxembourg Pavilion so far?

Keep calm and carry on. And always stay flexible, but that I knew already before Expo.

Any special events you’re particularly looking forward to?

All our different events during the Food and Beverage Week, as there are quite a few interesting events happening like Wine Tastings, Show Cooking with Luxembourg Products, and so on.

I am also still hoping that our Grand Duke will still come to Expo as that would definitely be a highlight for me and my team to be able to serve him.

What can EXPO 2020 DUBAI do for our future?

I believe it can be great to show people that we all need to stay open-minded and be ready to change and adapt. If we all want to have a peaceful and happy future we will have to adapt to the new technologies and definitely help to preserve our planet as much as possible.