Christmas is, of course, a time for giving. So after all your generosity, no-one could begrudge you a little treat to yourself. And what better way than with a unique dining experience?

Zuma, the multi-award winning restaurant, in DIFC has just the ticket, in the form what is believed to be the first certified example of white truffle to be offered to diners in Dubai.

Of the mere 16 species of truffles – there are about 1,000 in total – which are actually edible, the white from Alba, in the Piedmont area of northern Italy, is the most prized, sourced as they are by trained dogs in a very small window of the year. To be given the opportunity to cook with one is considered an enormous honour in the chef world. And What’s On’s chef of the year Reif Othman has more than earned the right.

Weighing 50 grams and with a certificate of authenticity from Italy, the truffle will be shaved onto a selection of a la carte dishes at the request of diners throughout December. Executive Head Chef Reif recommends pairing it with wagyu beef tataki, yuzu seabass, onion salad, kamameshi (Japanese hot pot) and all wagyu beef and t-bone cuts.

A spokesman for the restaurant group added: “Truffles are the perfect luxury commodity and truffle season is a time of year that we eagerly await as we know that these rare mushrooms are so popular with the discerning UAE diner. Each year it becomes harder to source a good quality truffle and when we do, we know it will not last long.”

Zuma was first opened in London’s Knightsbridge and has since expanded to Miami and Bangkok, as well as Dubai.

Zuma, Podium 6 at The Gate Village. DIFC, Dubai. Taxi: Gate Village. Metro: Financial Centre. zumarstaurant.com