Beyond-the-show experiences feature an eight-hands dinner with culinary legend and 21 Michelin Star holder Chef Alain Ducasse and exclusive dining offers across Dubai
DUBAI – 12th February 2025:Gulfood 2025, the world’s largest and premier food and beverage sourcing event, is set to elevate Dubai’s renowned dining scene with two exclusive experiences beyond the show inspiring a journey into Dubai’s culinary scene as part of its milestone 30th edition. Dubai World Cuisine will return for the 3rd installment and bring together global food icons and top homegrown talent to collaborate and create exceptional fine-dining experiences. The mega event also launches Gulfood After Hours – a unique opportunity to experience some of Dubai’s restaurants with exclusive to Gulfood dining experiences – an ideal way to unwind after exploring the Gulfood exhibition. These activations will be available on all 5 days of Gulfood (17 – 22 February 2025) at the respective restaurant locations.
Dubai has long been a global culinary gem, and coupled with the drive from Gulfood’s product and chef forward showcase, and the city’s fine dining options advancement over the years, Dubai’s dynamic food scene is on par with leading global cities. Dubai World Cuisine will celebrate this fusion through a series of 7 exclusive four, six and eight-hands dinners. Internationally renowned chefs such as culinary royalty Alain Ducasse as well as Romain Meder, Fredrik Berselius and Deepanker Khosla will collaborate with some of Dubai’s top culinary talents, including Giovanni Papi, Mohamed Orfali, Vladimir Mukhin, and more to create bespoke fine-dining menus.
The highlight of this dinner series will include an eight-hands dinner featuring culinary legend Chef Alain Ducasse and his right-hand chef, Romain Meder, alongside TakaHisa’s Wagyu Master Hisao Ueda and Sushi Master Takashi Namekata at TakaHisa, Bluewaters. Reservations are encouraged to ensure access to these sought-after dining destinations.
The 7 exclusive dinners showcasing the fusion of innovative cooking techniques, regional ingredients, and international influences will include the below pairings:
- Feb 17th: Dinner at Krasota at 6PM – by Vladimir Mukhin, of Krasota from the White Rabbit Family in Dubai, with Khaled Allibhai, Executive Chef, and Ariel Moscardi, Founder of Kenya’s Cultiva – a farm-to-table eatery well known for its sustainable agriculture practices
- Feb 18th (3 sittings – 1PM, 6PM & 9PM): Dinner at Takahisa – by Wagyu beef master Hisao Ueda & sushi master Takashi Namekata from Dubai’s Michelin guide listed restaurant Takahisa, with Chef Alain Ducasse & his right-hand man Romain Meder
- Feb 19th: Dinner at Avatara (2 sittings – 6pm & 9pm) – by Rahul Rana, Executive chef at Dubai’s first and only all-vegetarian fine dining experience and one-Michelin Star restaurant Avatara, with Zizi Hattab, chef and owner of Switzerland’s plant-based fine-dining and one-Michelin star restaurant KLE
- Feb 19th: Dinner at Lowe 6PM until 9PM – by Ali Shiddique of Lowe, one of the only restaurants in the UAE to win a Michelin Green Star, with Eelke Plasmeijer & Alfonso Cocinero from Bali’s Locavore restaurant famous for its use of hyper-local produce
- Feb 20th: Dinner at Armani Ristorante at 7pm – by Giovanni Papi from one-Michelin Star restaurant Armani Ristorante, with Cesare Battisti, chef and owner of Michelin Guide listed Italian restaurant Ratanà recognized for its prowess in Milanese and Lombard cuisine
- Feb 20th: Dinner at Orfali Bros (2 sittings – 7pm & 9:30pm) – by Chef Mohamed Orfali, one of the three brothers behind the Middle East and North Africa’s best restaurant – Orfali Bros in Dubai, with Fredrik Berselius of two-Michelin Star Brooklyn-based restaurant Aska
- Feb 21st: Dinner at Armani Amal at 7pm – by Rohit Sharma, Executive Chef at Armani/Amal presenting innovative regional Indian cuisine, with Deepanker Khosla – the creative force behind Thailand’s one Michelin Star restaurant Haoma
Following the excitement of the exhibition, Gulfood After Hours offers attendees the chance to continue their culinary adventure at over 40 handpicked partner restaurants across Dubai. From relaxed casual eateries to Michelin-Starred fine dining, Gulfood After Hours invites individuals to explore the city’s renowned cosmopolitan food scene. Participating restaurants include Masti, Carna, Filia Joe’s Backyard, Black Tap, Le Petit Beef Bar, The Citronelle Club and more where guests can enjoy exclusive offers and discounts, for both ticketholders and non-ticketholders.
Both Dubai World Cuisine and Gulfood After Hours are set to offer rare opportunities to explore the world-class culinary offerings that make Dubai one of the most exciting food capitals in the world. With these activations, attendees can indulge in exclusive dining experiences, discover new flavours, and immerse themselves in the culinary spirit of the city. Gulfood 2025 is an event not to be missed for anyone passionate about food and dining.
Gulfood has also partnered with Careem by featuring the Gulfood After Hours restaurants on the app. Gulfood visitors can enjoy hassle-free travel to and from the locations and avail 1-week access to free Careem Plus by using the code GAH25.
For more information on Gulfood 2025, and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.gulfood.com.
Dubai World Cuisine: Prices vary. Contact the respective restaurants directly for bookings.
Gulfood After Hours: Offers are available at select restaurants from 17 – 21 February 2025. For booking on these offers please contact the respective restaurants. For more information, please visit: https://www.gulfood.com/gulfood-afterhours.