Hospitality News

Largest-ever Gulfood 2024 Drives Transformation, with Global Food Futurists to Point where the Industry Goes Next

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2024

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has announced that Gulfood, the largest annual food and beverage sourcing event in the world, will take place from 19-23 February 2024, as the future of the food industry comes into focus. Gulfood continues to be the gold standard event for the global F&B community, with a record 5,500+ exhibitors and visitors from over 190 countries, and with a footprint spanning 24 halls.

International policymakers and F&B industry leaders have their sights firmly fixed on global food systems, and how they can be transformed to feed an ever-growing global population, while simultaneously building resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change, to avoid future crises. Innovations in ag-tech (a market set to almost double in size between now and 2030), the increasing use of AI in food production, reducing food loss and waste (which currently accounts for over a third of global food production), public-private partnerships, and investment in alternative proteins such as cultured meat can all help reduce food deprivation and feed the world through to 2050 and beyond.

“Gulfood will be the first opportunity in 2024 for the global F&B industry to convene, and gain insight from some of the world’s leading food futurists into where the global food industry goes next. Gulfood will be the only platform to identify the business opportunities and forge the business partnerships brought about as the industry enters a new era, defined by paradigm-shifting technology such as AI”, commented Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre.

“By accelerating innovation and speeding the spread of trends, technology has transformed the food market from end-to-end. The next decade will see this transformation continue. Technologies like AI will accelerate our understanding of human health, and influence consumer behaviour, and shifting demographic patterns will create new centres of cultural power. It’s a fascinating time to look to the future of food.” said Tom Cheesewright, Applied Futurist and Inspire Conference Speaker.

A Showcase for Real Food, A Platform for Real Business

Under the theme ‘Real Food, Real Business’, Gulfood 2024 will bring together global brands including: Agthia, Al Ain Dairy, Americana, Dilmah, Hype Beverages, Japan Farmed Fish Export Association, JBS, Lactalis, Meat & Poultry Ontario, Monin, Tilda, Wilmar – as well as thousands of new exhibitors – to showcase authentic food products, ingredients, and culinary practices, make real business connections and seal in excess of USD 12 billion in commercial deals. They will be joined by new country pavilions including: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Venezuela.

“Ghitha Holding, a subsidiary of International Holding Company PJSC (“IHC”), which owns 55 subsidiaries, 3 associates and 1 joint venture is thrilled to welcome the visitors and all business and government partners in the upcoming Gulfood 2024, as we see the region further boosting the economical trade between different verticals. As Gulfood is a place where F&B businesses innovate for a more brighter future, we are confident that Gulfood will be a fruitful place of collaboration and further business growth with focus on greater sustainability across the region”, commented Falal Ameen, CEO – Ghitha Holding.

Be Inspired by F&B Thought Leaders

The Gulfood Inspire Conference will dive into a range of trending topics, including the tech-powered future of digitalisation, trailblazing innovations, the shift from linear to circular food systems, capitalising on investment and funding opportunities, and reimagining a global food system centred on food safety, security and transparency.

Over 200 ministers, global F&B leaders, entrepreneurs, futurists, chefs, scientists and academia from all facets of the industry will lead a series of engaging keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, showcases and workshops, providing insights into the future of the F&B industry and unlocking new opportunities for growth and competitiveness.

Confirmed speakers across the 5 days include: Jacob Jensen, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Denmark. Gary Urteaga, Founder and President of Jenesiz Capital, and first investor in Nutrishake Andino (now Nutri.co), a foodtech startup specialising in R&D of nutritional snacks using Andean cereals and superfoods like quinoa and amaranth. CTO & Founding Director of Nourish Ingredients – Dr. Anna El Tahchy. Global Food Futurist & Food Scientist – Tony Hunter; Innovation Trends Futurist – Daniel Levine; Food Futurologist – Dr. Morgaine Gaye; Applied Futurist – Tom Cheesewright; Bill McDowell, VP of the Institute of Food Technologists; Dr. Miray Zaki, MD and Head of Sustainability Investments at Gulf Capital, Supply Chain Technology Expert – Erin Grover, Raymond Tham K W, Founder and MD of Mycrocell and many more.

Michelin Star Chefs make Dubai Debut in World’s Largest Live chef Showcase

Popular feature Top Table returns to Gulfood 2024, with a star-studded line-up of internationally renowned chefs showcasing traditional cooking methods, elevating authentic ingredients, and revealing the stories behind the world’s most beloved dishes.

Across the five days of Gulfood, over 100 chefs will present various cuisines across a series of masterclasses and chef talks. Top names participating in the programme include: Chef Alain Passard of L’Arpege, Chef Enrico Cerea of da Vittorio, Chef Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca, Chef Begona Rodrigo of La Salita, chef Mark Donald of The Glenturret and chef Pepe Solla of Sola restaurant. Home-grown talent includes: Chef Akira Back of Akira Back in Dubai, and Chef Vladimir Mukhin of White Rabbit Krasota in Dubai. This year’s theme highlights the union of heritage and traditional culinary practices with modern, trendsetting innovative techniques. For the first time ever, Top Table will host chefs with over 21 Michelin stars between them, in one exceptional live culinary showcase.

The Dubai World Cuisine movement, launched during the last edition of Gulfood, will also be back, with a series of city-wide dinner collaborations. Dubai World Cuisine provides a platform for homegrown chefs to collaborate harmoniously with culinary icons from around the world, shaping the cultural identity of Dubai and helping establish it on the world’s culinary map. Bringing exceptional talents from Europe, that will impart their legacy, heritage, and cultural richness through ancient and traditional cooking techniques, seamlessly merging them with modern and innovative approaches. Our aim is to bridge between the old and the new world, embracing sustainability in its culinary practices.

Watch the Culinary Stars of the Future

The YouthX Chef Challenge, a launchpad for empowering promising F&B talent with a career-changing experience, will also be back in an expanded, international format for its third edition at Gulfood 2024.

The international grand finale of the third edition of the YouthX Challenge will pit teams from leading restaurants and hotels in the UAE (SLS and Atlantis The Palm), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Four Seasons Riyadh), Kenya, and the USA against each other for a chance to win an internship at an international 3-Michelin star restaurant. Last year’s winners recently completed a successful internship with Chef Heinz Beck at La Pergola in Rome.

Gulfood has garnered interest from top brands in Dairy, Beverage (category sponsor – Al Jameel Intl.), Fats & Oils, Pulses & Grains (category sponsor – Supple Tek), Meat & Poultry (category sponsor – Sadia), Power Brands (category sponsor – Ghitha), Ready-To-Eat (category sponsor – Hungritos), Bakery (category sponsor – Prima International), and World Food, to innovate for a more sustainable, thoughtful, and brighter future for the entire global F&B ecosystem across the world.

*Tickets for Gulfood are currently on sale at a special offer rate of AED 345 for a 5-day pass (instead of regular full price of AED 595) for a limited period only.

Hospitality

PIZZAEXPRESS UNVEILS FESTIVE MENUS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

Festive PizzaExpress holiday spread featuring sparkling wine, mashed potatoes with turkey, creamy sauce, signature Dough Balls with dip, Christmas-themed decorations, and a pizza topped with cherry tomatoes and basil, alongside pasta dishes on a marble table.

PizzaExpress invites guests to celebrate the festive season with specially curated Christmas and New Year dining experiences, combining seasonal flavours, signature dishes, and a lively social atmosphere. Available throughout December and culminating in a vibrant New Year celebration, the festive menus have been designed to bring people together over food, music, and celebration.

“As the festive season approaches, we wanted to create menus that feel celebratory, comforting, and perfect for sharing,” said Nitin Makhijani, General Manager, PizzaExpress. “Our Christmas and New Year offerings bring together seasonal ingredients, familiar favourites, and a vibrant atmosphere, making PizzaExpress a welcoming place for guests to celebrate with friends and family.”

For Christmas, guests can enjoy a festive set menu, offering a selection of seasonal starters, mains, and desserts inspired by classic holiday flavours. Highlights include creamy Cranberry Brussels Sprouts, Turkey Truffle Dough Balls, festive pizzas such as the Christmas Feast and Brussels & Porcini Truffle, and indulgent desserts including Speculoos Gingerbread Tiramisu and KitKat Stuffed Dough Balls

A selection of festive beverages and cocktails are also available to complement the dining experience.

The celebrations continue into New Year’s Eve, where guests can look forward to an extended festive menu featuring unlimited starters, seasonal pizzas, delicious pastas, fresh salads, and indulgent desserts, paired with a wide selection of beverages

From savoury dishes like Barbecue Burnt Ends pizza and creamy Cajun Chicken pizza to festive desserts and signature cocktails, the New Year menu is designed for relaxed, social dining as guests countdown to midnight.

Blending festive flavours with its signature dining experience, PizzaExpress offers a relaxed yet energetic setting for both Christmas gatherings and New Year celebrations, making it a popular choice for groups looking to enjoy great food and a lively atmosphere during the holiday season.

Hospitality

DINE WITH FRONT-ROW VIEWS THIS NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE BEACH JBR

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

Night view of JBR Beach in Dubai with colorful fireworks lighting up the sky above Ain Dubai Ferris wheel, illuminated waterfront buildings, and palm trees in the foreground.

As December unfolds and temperatures drop, evenings at The Beach JBR are best spent outdoors. With open-air terraces, beachfront tables and uninterrupted sea views, the destination comes alive after dark, accompanied by live local musicians, nightly drone shows and a midnight fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.

Against this backdrop, dining takes center stage, with restaurants across The Beach JBR rolling out curated New Year’s Eve menus designed for long, celebratory evenings by the water.

New Year’s Eve Dining Highlights

Bombay Bungalow

Bombay Bungalow hosts New Year’s Eve dining indoors and outdoors, offering vegetarian, non-vegetarian and kids’ menus. Indoor dining is priced from AED 500 for vegetarian and AED 575 for non-vegetarian, while outdoor dining is available from AED 600 for vegetarian and AED 650 for non-vegetarian. Menus feature classic Indian dishes designed for sharing, making it well suited to family and group celebrations.

Eataly at The Beach

Eataly welcomes the New Year with a celebratory dining experience on 31 December from 8 PM to 1 AM. Guests can enjoy a specially curated New Year’s Eve menu, with minimum spend ranging from AED 550 to AED 1,950, depending on seating location, for an unhurried Italian dinner to close out the year.

Claw BBQ

Claw BBQ brings comfort-driven dining to New Year’s Eve with a three-course turkey menu priced at AED 125, featuring a starter, traditional turkey with all the trimmings and dessert. For those continuing the celebrations into the night, New Year’s Eve party packages are available from AED 475.

P.F. Chang’s

P.F. Chang’s presents a curated New Year’s Eve set menu priced at AED 799 for adults and AED 399 for children, featuring appetisers, mains, rice or noodles, dessert and mocktails in a festive setting.

La Mezcaleria

La Mezcaleria marks New Year’s Eve with its Midnight Glitz celebration on 31 December, offering a high-energy dining and party experience. Packages start from AED 800, combining bold Mexican flavours with live entertainment in an open-air setting.

Zou Zou

Zou Zou’s New Year’s Eve special menu showcases Turkish and Lebanese flavors, beginning with cold and hot mezze, followed by mixed grills, lamb shank with saffron rice and indulgent desserts such as baklava. Packages are priced at AED 699 (indoor), AED 999 (indoor with view) and AED 1,199 (outdoor view).

Awani

Awani’s New Year’s Eve set menu features a generous selection of cold and hot mezze, followed by a choice of mains including mixed grill, kebabs, fish sayadiyeh or signature chicken dishes. Indoor dining is priced at AED 900, while outdoor dining is AED 1,100.

Eat Greek Kouzina

Buffalo Wild Wings JBR offers an exclusive New Year’s Eve bundle priced at AED 595, including starters, sharing appetizers, a main course, dessert, drinks, non-alcoholic champagne and party props, making it a lively, casual way to count down to midnight.

Buffalo Wild Wings JBR

Buffalo Wild Wings JBR is offering an exclusive New Year’s Eve bundle priced at AED 595, including starters, sharing appetisers, a main course, dessert, drinks, non-alcoholic champagne and party props, paired with front-row views of the fireworks.

Bla Bla

Bla Bla’s New Year’s Eve celebration, “A BLA-st from the Past,” combines dining and entertainment across the Restaurant, Rooftop, Pool Area and Tent. Restaurant dining is priced at AED 900 indoors and AED 1,300 outdoors, with rooftop and pool minimum spends available, alongside VIP options.

Yula Lounge

Yula offers a New Year’s Eve experience with entry tickets priced between AED 950 and AED 1,200, depending on seating location. Food and drinks are available à la carte, with premium areas offering prime positioning for the evening celebrations.

With midnight fireworks overhead, drones lighting up the sky at 8PM and 10PM and festive menus served by the panoramic sea views, The Beach JBR sets the stage for a New Year’s Eve that’s best enjoyed outdoors, around the table and in good company.

Hospitality

BIG SAM TAKES CENTRE STAGE AS CITY WALK UNPLUGGED KEEPS THE FESTIVE ENERGY GOING

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

Close-up of a person wearing a black hoodie against a vibrant red and white gradient background with dramatic lighting effects.”

City Walk Unplugged turns up the festive atmosphere this week with a run of live performances across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the weekend, led by a standout headline set from Big Sam. Part of Dubai Shopping Festival and now in its fourth season, the open-air music series continues to transform City Walk into a vibrant evening destination, bringing together live sound, roaming entertainment, and a lively open-air atmosphere.

This Week at City Walk

Wednesday, 24 December

Sound Avenue Band – Live Performances

Christmas Eve at City Walk sets the tone with Sound Avenue Band performing three live sets at 6:20pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm. Their feel-good sound creates a relaxed yet festive backdrop as visitors gather to dine, stroll, and ease into the holiday evening.

Thursday, 25 December

RedLine Band – Live Performances
Redline Band brings live music to Christmas Day with performances at 6:20pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm, adding warmth and energy to the destination. Their sets offer an easy-going soundtrack for a laid-back Christmas evening by the fountain and indoor Courtyard.

Friday, 26 December

MK Band – Live Performances
The weekend begins with MK Band performing three live sets at 6:20pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm. Their upbeat sound helps carry the festive momentum into Friday night, setting the pace for an evening of music and a lively open-air atmosphere.

Saturday, 27 December

Maya Mashhour and Band – Live Performances
Earlier in the evening, Maya Mashhour and Band set the tone with live performances at 6:20pm and 7:30pm, delivering a smooth and melodic sound that eases the destination into the night ahead of the headline act.

Big Sam – Live Performance
Big Sam headlines the weekend with a standout live performance at 8:30pm, bringing his signature soulful sound and strong stage presence to City Walk Unplugged. Known for his powerful vocals and ability to connect with audiences, his set is expected to be one of the defining moments of the week, drawing visitors together for a high-energy yet intimate evening in the indoor Courtyard and fountain area.

Roaming Performances & Dance Shows

Across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the weekend, specially choreographed dance performances will appear throughout City Walk, adding spontaneous bursts of movement and energy across key areas of the destination.

Festive Setting Across City Walk

The destination continues to embrace the season with festive décor, including the signature Christmas Tree at the fountain, decorative installations at key entrances and enhanced seasonal touches throughout the C2 licensed dining district.

Shop, Dine & WIN During DSF

Win the new ARCFOX Alpha S when you spend AED 300 or more at participating City Walk outlets using the TICKIT Rewards App and enjoy an added highlight to your weekend at the destination.