Lapita Hotel at Dubai Parks and Resorts has installed a brand-new Polynesian earth oven at Kalea restaurant, further cementing its position as Dubai’s authentic Polynesian-themed hotel.

The earth oven or cooking pit which is known as a Hāngī or Umu in Polynesian cultures, is a unique, ancient method of cooking meat and vegetables underground using hot stones. The cooking spectacle will be available to guests every Friday during the popular Family Daycation Brunch.

The cooking tradition is a staple across the Pacific, from Hawaii to New Zealand, and is prepared and named slightly different from island to island. The process is a true display, taking hours to prepare and cook but resulting in tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.

Lapita’s earth oven has been custom-designed and built to give guests a true Polynesian experience, as they are transported to a tropical paradise every Friday.

The cooking pit has been dug to 1m underground, where a layer of smouldering lava stones sit ready for racks of meat to be placed upon. The selection of meat, including chicken, beef and lamb, is brined overnight, before being lowered underground and covered with banana leaves and a layer of soil to bake.

After several hours of cooking underground, the meat and tender vegetables are lifted above ground in a spectacular finale and served with a selection of sides.