The Best Chef has announced that its 8th annual awards event will take place in Dubai from November 4-6, 2024.
Set to be the largest edition of The Best Chef Awards, the 2024 instalment of the awards reflects the expanding influence of The Best Chef platform and the growing significance of Dubai in the culinary world. Powered by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), this groundbreaking edition of The Best Chef Awards stands as the inaugural global culinary awards event to take place in Dubai and the Middle East, cementing the city’s position as a hub for culinary brilliance in the international gastronomic scene.
The Best Chef Awards 2024
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, “We are honoured that Dubai has been selected to host The Best Chef Awards for the first time outside Europe and the Americas, further reinforcing the city’s position as an international events destination and culinary capital. This also aligns with the aspiration of our visionary leadership and the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s status as a leading global city for business and leisure. Furthermore, the choice of Dubai as the venue for the event’s latest edition is a testament to the continued support of our stakeholders and partners. With local and Dubai-based restaurants increasingly gaining acclaim on a global scale, we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s top culinary talents, while showcasing our city’s innovative spirit and its vibrant and diverse culinary landscape.”
Global culinary figures
The Best Chef Awards 2024 in Dubai will convene an impressive lineup of global culinary figures, featuring renowned chefs such as Vaughan Mabee of Amisfield, Albert Adrià of Enigma, Ángel León of Aponiente, and Floriano Pellegrino & Isabella Potì of BROS, underscoring the event’s status as a premier platform for international culinary excellence. The spotlight will also shine on Dubai’s leading chefs — including Gregoire Berger (Ossiano), Mohammed Orfali (Orfali Bros), and Himanshu Saini (Tresind Studio, Avatara) — who are key contenders for top accolades, reflecting their significant impact on the local gastronomic landscape.
Reflecting the city’s growing global stature, Dubai was named one of the world’s top 10 cities for foodies, and was ranked second in the world for restaurant density.
Meanwhile, DET’s annual gastronomy research found that 79% of UAE residents said Dubai is the world’s leading gastronomic hub, ahead of Milan and Paris. As a burgeoning food innovation hub, Dubai is also garnering recognition for exporting sought-after homegrown contemporary dining concepts and brands to leading destinations worldwide, including Kinoya, GAIA and Roberto’s.
The Best Chef Awards will build upon Dubai’s global standing as a premier culinary destination, motivating chefs and restaurateurs, as well as hospitality and commercial developers, to further invest in the city. This expansion is expected to enrich Dubai’s culinary offerings and positively impact the broader tourism and hospitality sectors, aligning with the strategic objectives of the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda.
Emerging culinary talents
The event will showcase Dubai’s emerging culinary talents such as Wassim Orfali (Orfali Bros) and Christophe Devoille (The Royal Tea Room, Atlantis The Royal) in pastry, alongside Tetsuya Wakuda (Sagetsu) and Rita Sueidan (Maisan 15), who are set to enrich the city-wide programming with their innovative approaches. Local award candidates Eva Halasa of Three by Eva, Kelvin Cheung of Jun’s, and Arianna Bundy of Ariana’s Persian Kitchen will further highlight the breadth of culinary expertise that Dubai has to offer. The Best Chef Awards 2024 marks the event’s largest edition ever in addition to serving as a critical nexus for industry networking, collaboration, and recognition of both established and emerging culinary professionals on a local and global scale.
Cristian Gadau, co-founder of The Best Chef Awards, said, “Dubai is the place to be and was a natural choice for expanding the global footprint of The Best Chef Awards. Its reputation as a melting pot of cultures and its burgeoning status as a culinary destination align perfectly with our vision of global gastronomic excellence. By bringing The Best Chef Awards to Dubai, we aim to tap into its vibrant energy and innovative spirit, showcasing it as a central hub where culinary traditions from around the world converge and evolve. This move marks a strategic step in broadening our international reach and fostering a more connected global culinary community.”
Joanna Slusarczyk, co-founder of The Best Chef Awards, added, “Hosting The Best Chef Awards in Dubai allows us to further our mission of fostering a knowledgeable community that not only celebrates culinary excellence but also prioritises the preservation of culinary traditions through scientific innovation. Dubai’s dynamic culinary landscape provides the perfect setting to highlight the role of science in elevating gastronomy on a global stage.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
