Connect with us

Hospitality

Where There Is Trade, There Is Gulfood

Published

on

Gulfood

There is only one place where the world gathers annually to witness an unparalleled F&B showcase, with products meticulously handpicked from every corner of the globe. This time, a new global chapter is unfolding in the future of food and it’s within the legacy of Gulfood that the world can anticipate a seismic impact.

The 30th edition of Gulfood, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 17 – 21 February, will host a record 5,500+ exhibitors from 129+ countries. It will unveil new business opportunities and solve new and evolving global challenges.

Celebrating 30 Editions of Informing the Global Foodscape

For over three decades, Gulfood has been the driving force at the heart of global food commerce—igniting innovation, sparking cross-cultural collaboration and redefining the next era of global F&B. As the world experiences a sweeping transformation in food systems—powered by groundbreaking technologies, sustainability breakthroughs, and forward-thinking ideas—Gulfood 2025 will be the epicentre of this revolution. This is where the next era of food begins, and you’re invited to be at the forefront.

Event date:  17 – 21 February 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre & registration is now live.

Why Visit?

Where The World Connects for Their F&B Sourcing Success

  • 5500+ Exhibitors: Explore 100k+ new products and innovations from a vast exhibitor showcase across eight distinct sectors.
  • 129 Countries Exhibiting: Experience global diversity with the biggest lineup of participating countries.
  • 43% New Exhibitors: Get the first look at the fresh offerings from exhibitors attending the show for the first time.
  • 24 Huge Halls: Navigate 24 massive halls filled with exhibitors, country pavilions and culinary experiences.
  • 1 Million Sq. Ft Exhibition Area: Gulfood 2025 boasts one million square feet of show floor space.
  • Network And Pre-Schedule Meetings: Establish close connections with F&B industry leaders through pre-scheduled meetings via our official event app and meetings programme.

Show Sectors

Gulfood is set to showcase the latest trends and advancements in the F&B industry, spanning seven distinct sectors: Dairy, Beverage, Fats & Oils, Pulses & Grains, Meat & Poultry, Power Brands and World Food.

Anticipate exploring products spanning these sectors at Gulfood, the ultimate platform for connecting with industry leaders, discovering state-of-the-art innovations and forging valuable partnerships in the ever-evolving F&B landscape.

Features

Food500

The summit will unite global leaders to tackle key challenges, sparking discussions, and showcasing trends, featuring top CEOs, policymakers and innovators.

From talks like Visionaries: Exploring Cutting-Edge Technologies Driving Food Tech to Pioneering Smart Agricultural Systems in the F&B Sector and more, the summit aims to drive business, inspire change and fuel global economic growth.

GULFOOD DISCOVERY TOURS

Over five days, engage in curated tours that are designed to connect you directly with the products you’re most interested in sourcing. The tours focus on diverse food categories such as Gourmet, Alternative Proteins, Ready-to-Eat, and Plant-Based.  F&B professionals, buyers and sourcing experts can gain valuable insights, access exclusive products and make informed business decisions while exploring key trends influencing global F&B.

Top Table

Top Table returns with a charismatic group of local and international chefs who are reimagining the way we create and enjoy food. With a bold focus on culinary futurism, the 2025 edition will debut new techniques, inventive flavour combinations and unconventional textures that surprise and delight audiences.

YOUTHX – YOUNG CHEF CHALLENGE

Witness a high-energy culinary competition between young hotel chefs from around the world. They will compete for a career-defining internship at some of the top restaurants and culinary schools in Europe. Gulfood’s YouthX brings together emerging culinary talent from diverse cultures, offering a global platform that unites chefs through healthy competition. They’ll be judged on futuristic techniques that set the event apart from previous editions, showcasing the next generation of global culinary leaders.

BLEND STUDIO
Celebrate the artistry of beverages with immersive masterclasses that showcase the latest trends and exclusive, never-seen-before creations crafted by industry experts. Explore the world of coffee and the trendiest crafted drinks while seizing opportunities to connect and learn from leading beverage professionals.

THE CULINARY DEBATE
Watch as global culinary icons debate the industry’s most critical challenges and exciting opportunities in the world of food. You’ll be captivated as they offer fresh perspectives on the rapidly evolving industry landscape.

THE TASTING ROOM
Experience the latest culinary creations from top brands and network with business leaders in the F&B industry. Whether you’re looking for the market’s most exciting products, new partnerships or upcoming trends, this is where opportunities come to life.

DUBAI WORLD CUISINE
Experience an exclusive four-hands dinner series that brings together celebrated international chefs and homegrown culinary talent. These unique collaborations offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to savour bespoke menus, where local flavours and global expertise converge to create exceptional dining experiences.

GULFOOD AFTER HOURS
Explore Dubai’s vibrant food scene with Gulfood After Hours. We’ve teamed up with the city’s most iconic restaurants to give you an unforgettable culinary adventure. From casual eateries to fine dining, you’ll experience the very best Dubai has to offer, outside of the exhibition halls. Simply book, show your ticket, and enjoy exclusive offers at venues across the city.

INNOVATION AWARDS

The Gulfood Innovation Awards will celebrate brands setting a new standard for excellence in F&B. Recognising forward-thinking products that demonstrate creativity, ingenuity and impact, these prestigious awards highlight the best in the F&B industry across 10 categories.

Register today.

Hospitality

DIVE INTO GREATNESS: SUN DIVING WELCOMES WORLD CHAMPION FREEDIVER ALESSIA ZECCHINI TO SUN SIYAM OLHUVELI

Published

on

Alessia Zecchini, world champion freediver, in yellow and black wetsuit smiling by the ocean before diving event at Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

Sun Diving is proud to present a one-of-a-kind ocean experience with world champion freediver Alessia Zecchini on 13th October 2025. The event will be held at Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Sunrise Beach from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Guests will have the rare opportunity to meet the athlete recognized as “The Deepest Woman in the World.”

Born in Rome in 1992, Alessia began freediving training at just 13 years old and went on to set multiple world and European records. She was the first woman to dive to 100 meters in free immersion and has since reached the deepest at 123 meters in constant weight with monofin. Her inspiring career has been celebrated worldwide, including in the movie Vertical Breath and the acclaimed Netflix documentary The Deepest Breath. Today, she continues to push boundaries while sharing her passion for the ocean and the importance of its conservation.

This unique guest engagement by Sun Diving offers dive enthusiasts the chance to meet Alessia during an informative talk. She will share her journey and experiences in freediving, reflect on her accomplishments, and discuss ocean preservation and breath control. Following her talk, a Q&A session will allow guests to connect directly with Alessia and the Sun Diving team. Sun Diving will also host an interactive beach experience where guests can try scuba and snorkel gear in shallow water with instructors. Guests can capture photos and autographs from Alessia and explore the dive booth to learn about the world of diving and special offers at Sun Diving.

“Welcoming Alessia Zecchini is an honor for us and an inspiration for our guests,” said Ahmed Nihaan, Dive Center Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Her achievements beneath the waves embody both human potential and the importance of protecting our oceans.”

Sun Diving, the official diving arm of Sun Siyam Group, offers SSI-certified courses, snorkelling, freediving, and specialty programs across its Maldives properties. As a subsidiary, it enhances guest experiences with curated dive packages, illustrated dive maps, lifeguard programs, and eco-focused initiatives, positioning Sun Siyam as a leader in sustainable and memorable ocean adventures.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

THE RETURN OF JAZZ & JUICE NIGHTS AT CUCINA, THE PALM

Published

on

Three-piece jazz trio performing live at Cucina The Palm during Jazz and Juice Nights, featuring upright bass, piano, and drums against decorative wall backdrop.

Jazz, cocktails and Italian flair are back! Cucina, The Palm is bringing back its much-loved Jazz & Juice Nights, starting Friday, 3rd October, where live music, Italian dining, and vibrant energy set the scene for an unforgettable night.

Every Friday and Saturday from 7pm to midnight, Cucina comes alive with a dynamic three-piece jazz trio led by award-nominated arranger and composer Rudo Pieterse on upright bass and vocals, accompanied by Jose Roman Nunez on piano and Janelle Bernado on drums. Their soulful melodies and lively rhythms fill the restaurant with energy, immersing guests in the sounds of classic jazz and the warm ambience of an Italian piazza.  

Guest can enjoy two hours of unlimited beverages for just AED 165, featuring Italian classics such as the timeless Negroni and refreshing Aperol Spritz, alongside the Hugo Spritz and the restaurant’s signature Cucina Spritz – a mix of Martini Fiero, Martini Ambrato, berry shrub, sparkling wine, and chocolate bitters. Wine lovers can also explore Cucina’s unique wines-on-tap selection and savour an impressive selection of reds, whites and rosés.

For those seeking a complete dining experience, Cucina’s a la carte menu celebrates the essence of Italy. Guests can indulge in freshly made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and other Italian favourites, all crafted with fresh ingredients and time-honored recipes. Each dish is designed to complement the live entertainment and drinks, transporting diners to the heart of Italy for a truly immersive experience. 

With the trio’s vibrant performances, Cucina’s lively yet sophisticated ambiance, inventive drinks offering and delicious à la carte options, Cucina’s Jazz & Juice Nights deliver the perfect weekend ritual – ideal for long evenings of dining, sipping and soaking up the atmosphere.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

Sun Siyam Marks 35 Years with Culture-Led Brand Transformation

Published

on

Guests dancing at sunset beach celebration with traditional Maldivian performers at Sun Siyam resort

Sun Siyam today unveils a milestone transformation as it celebrates 35 years of Maldivian hospitality. More than a visual refresh, the brand (r)evolution introduces a bold new brand statement anchored in The Home of the Maldivian Spirit, reinforcing the group’s position as one of the Maldives’ most culturally authentic resort operators. The transformation elevates guest journeys with new Signature Experiences introduced across all six resorts and strengthens direct relationships with customers through Siyam Rewards. A single identity now unites the group’s five Maldivian resorts and its Sri Lankan retreat under The House of Siyam. To help guests and partners navigate the portfolio, each property is now grouped under three distinct collections: Luxury, Privé, and Lifestyle.

Luxury Collection: elevated by the elements and steeped in the sublime, this is the highest calibre of island indulgence. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi now leads the Luxury Collection, offering premium exclusivity and a perfect sun-soaked paradise.

Lifestyle Collection: vibrant, energetic and designed for dreamlike adventure. The Lifestyle resorts are Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Siyam World, brimming with entertainment, recreation, and a wide mix of experiences for families, friends, and couples alike.

Privé Collection: intimate barefoot hideaways where privacy and bespoke comforts come first. Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka form the Privé Collection, romantic havens for travellers seeking soulful escapes.

Central to this evolution are a series of Signature Experiences, designed to go beyond the villa and bring Maldivian heritage and imagination into every stay. Guests can immerse themselves in Maldivian Roots, weekly culinary and cultural journeys celebrating heritage through story and flavour. They can book the Maldives’ first overwater photo studio, the Insta Villa, for envy-inducing moments in six-star surrounds. And they can join the island’s most vibrant scene at the Sun Siyam Beach Club, where afternoons of relaxed lounging turn into evenings of music and dancing under glowing tangerine skies. From the ceremonial Wow Welcome to Hidden Treasure Chests, the culinary journey of Plant Based Bliss and Moonlit Cinemas, each stay is enriched with unexpected moments of joy.

The brand (r)evolution also introduces Siyam Rewards, a digital membership programme that builds stronger direct relationships with guests. Members enjoy personalised itineraries, room upgrades, and optional carbon offsets, with rewards available from the very first booking. Every stay continues to support marine conservation and community projects through the group’s sustainability platform, Sun Siyam Care.

Reflecting on this milestone, Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Founder, Owner & Managing Director, said: “When we founded Sun Siyam in 1990, and later opened our first resort in 1998, our goal was simple, to share the warmth of our islands and our people with the world. This transformation keeps that soul alive while giving us the space to innovate for the next generation of free-spirited travellers.”

Deepak Booneady, Chief Executive Officer, added: “This rebrand is not just about design, it is about experience. It is about cultural authenticity, purpose-driven hospitality, and creating moments that spark joy. With the Maldives’ widest choice of villas, the region’s most generous premium all-inclusive plan, and now our Signature Experiences, we are setting the stage for the future of island travel.”

The group selected the best experts in their fields to orchestrate the rebrand: JHAGGER&CO as lead brand advisors, driving a year‑long project that began with in‑depth audience research and an internal reset of vision, purpose, and values; Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero, Founders and Creative Directors of London based StudioSixty7, to refine, restyle and refresh interior environments; and Maldives hospitality pioneer, Dominik Ruhl, who helped the team to develop and implement new operational standards as well as signature experiences, embedding the new brand standards in the day to day service. With an incredible execution by the island operations team, General Managers and Resort Managers, led by VP of Operations at Sun Siyam, Abdulla Thamheed, as well as Sun Siyam’s brand sales, marketing, and public relation teams, the result is a warm, vibrant design system that retains its Maldivian soul while embracing a contemporary edge.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator