Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has completed the first edition of the Emirati Chefs Grant, a programme designed to help ambitious Emirati chefs sharpen their skills and deepen their understanding of cuisine as part of the nation’s cultural heritage. The three-month course was delivered in partnership with the International Centre for Culinary Arts Dubai (ICCA Dubai) and forms part of the authority’s expanded endeavor to promote authentic local culture and hospitality traditions on a international scene.
Six Emirati chefs – Noora Al Awadi, Alia Al Ali, Asayel Al Marzooqi, Rashid Al Nuaimi, Huda Al Ghaffli and Meetha Al Ghaffli – received diplomas in culinary arts after completing a series of hands-on workshops led by ICCA Dubai experts. Participants developed core and advanced cooking techniques, gained experience across appetisers, main courses, baking and desserts using professional equipment, learned to design innovative menus and mastered plating etiquette.
Second cohort launched in November with ten participants
Alongside the completion of the first intake, Dubai Culture announced the launch of the second edition of the programme, which began in November 2025. Ten Emirati chefs – Aisha Khouri, Ohood Waleed Alzarooni, Hamda Adel Abdulhamid Abdulla Al Quri, Hind Mohammad Al Mulla, Khawla Omar Al Ghaffli, Meera Jassim Ghanem Obaid Al Zaabi, Naima Al Mulla, Salwa Salim Eisa Al Jallaf Al Ali, Aisha Al Quri and Shada Al Hosani – are following the same pathway and are expected to earn diplomas in culinary arts at the end of the three-month course. The programme combines practical training with a broader syllabus encompassing:
- food safety, public health and nutrition,
- cost calculation, planning and preparation methods,
- operational and management aspects of running professional kitchens.
Participants are supported in creating dishes that blend Emirati, Arab and global flavours without losing a strong link to local identity.
Food as a carrier of cultural identity
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said the grant supports culinary talent by providing chefs with a platform to develop their skills and broaden their creative potential. She noted that food is a fundamental expression of authentic culture, through which local talent conveys the richness of Emirati cuisine and reflects community identity, traditions, values and a spirit of generosity. For those following a Dubai real estate market update today, the growth of cultural and creative industries is another signal of the emirate’s economic diversification beyond trade and finance. Investing in local talent is a long-term strategy to strengthen Dubai’s soft power and overall attractiveness.
ICCA Dubai trains a new generation rooted in heritage
Sundjeh Raja, Director and CEO of ICCA Dubai, pointed out the centre’s role in coordinating technical excellence with cultural responsibility. He said that training a new generation of Emirati chefs means refining professional skills while retaining a connection to gastronomic tradition and national identity. The programme operates as an incubator for participants who are working to turn their culinary passion into a professional career. In this sense, the logic mirrors Arabian Ranches market insights and other residential areas of Dubai – long-term value is increasingly driven by sustainable fundamentals rather than short-term speculation. Emirati chefs leave the programme not only with cooking skills but with an extensive understanding of the industry, enabling them to launch their own ventures or work in leading restaurants across the emirate
