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Gulfood 2025 to celebrate 30th Landmark Edition

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Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) celebrates the return of Gulfood for its momentous 30th edition running from 17 – 21 February 2025. Under the theme ‘The Next Frontier in Food,’ the event promises invaluable market foresight into the futuristic era of global food commerce and the resilient progress of international food systems. Gulfood will set the stage for cross-industry knowledge transfer and networking opportunities, creating a framework for establishing and achieving future goals for the global trade community. The economic impact of Gulfood is significant, with estimated trade deals across the 5 days reaching USD 20 Billion, representing 1% of global food and beverage trade.

As the largest edition to date, Gulfood 2025 will display more than 1 million products from over 5,500 exhibitors spanning 129 countries featuring large multinationals to start-up food ventures. Visitors can explore 24 enormous exhibition halls covering over 1.3 million square feet while interacting with companies launching new products, ingredients, and flavours, showcasing their culinary expertise and engaging in commercial trade deals. Pavilions will also exhibit including the USA, France, Brazil, UK, India, Singapore, Japan and Australia, as well as first-time exhibiting companies from Kosovo, Madagascar, Mauritius and Zambia.

“Building upon Dubai and the UAE’s testament of extraordinary transformation and achieving global epi-centre status, Gulfood’s similar evolution over 30 years has cemented its footprint in the global F&B space as the premier stage for industry professionals to connect, engage in trade deals, and establish the food trends of tomorrow. The landmark edition will spotlight the UAE’s role as a hub of international food innovation and trade, while honouring advocates and visionaries who paved the show’s way forward as a platform that fosters commercial opportunities, global economic contribution, and ignites life-long business partnerships,” commented Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre.

THE GLOBAL F&B TRADING COMMUNITY’S PLAYGROUND

By uniting global leaders, fuelling trade partnerships, and inspiring forward-thinking, Gulfood is the definitive platform for redefining food innovation and trade growth worldwide. It will host a diverse list of international food and beverage industry giants including ABIEC – (Brazilian Beef Exporter’s Association), Agthia Group, Al Ain Farms, Alokozay, Al Rawabi, Americana, Choithrams, Dilmah Ceylon Tea, Hayel Saeed Anam & Co., Hype Drinks, IFFCO, Japan Meat & Livestock, JBS, Lactalis, Saputo, Savenica Fromage & Dairy, Seara Food Europe Holding, TATA International Ltd., Tilda, US Meat Export Federation and Wilmar.

Visitors can engage in Gulfood Discovery Tours – a line-up of curated sector-themed tours offering an immersive experience highlighting global food trends and innovations on the show floor, along with expert guidance and insights at every stop. This includes dedicated tours on various food themes like ‘Gourmet,’ ‘Alternative Proteins and Plant Based,’ ‘Digitalisation & Traceability’ and ‘Made in the Emirates’.

EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS FROM VISIONARIES DRIVING GLOBAL FOOD STRATEGIES

Gulfood 2025 will launch the inaugural Food500 Summit, welcoming global F&B leaders and decision-makers including CEOs, Heads of State, trade officials, investors, academia, scientists, tech innovators and more under one roof to discuss key issues on international trade, investment strategies, trends, growth opportunities, AI driven transformation, legislation, environmental concerns, health and wellbeing and the socioeconomic challenges impacting global food security. Confirmed speakers include: H.E. Ms. Piret Hartman, Minister of Agriculture and Food Production of the Republic of Estonia; H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, The Chairman of Board, The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID); Geeta Sethi, Advisor and Global Lead for Food Systems, World Bank; Dr. Edwini Kessie, Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division, World Trade Organization (WTO); Alvyn Severien – CEO of microalgae-based Algama Foods and many more.

TOP GLOBAL CHEFS AND DINING EXPERIENCES LOOK TO THE FUTURE OF GASTRONOMY

The popular Top Table programme, sponsored by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), returns with the theme “Culinary Futurism,” offering insights into the next decade of food. Gulfood celebrates its 30th edition by welcoming world-renowned chef and culinary legend Alain Ducasse, making his first-ever appearance with an impressive 21 Michelin stars to his name. The line-up also features celebrated chefs such as Romain Meder, Ana Roš, Ángel León, Fredrik Berselius, and many more. Dubai World Cuisine features homegrown chefs collaborating with global culinary superstars to host a series of exclusive city-wide four- and six-hands dinners, reinforcing Dubai’s identity as a global gastronomy hub. With exclusive venue partnerships, attendees can access special offers available only with a Gulfood ticket.

Hospitality

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS AT ARTISAN BAKERS’ THE GARDEN CONCEPT

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Artisan Bakers has announced the reopening of its The Garden Concept following a complete refurbishment and expansion, marking an important evolution for the brand’s sixth outlet in Dubai. The refreshed space brings together elevated design, an enhanced menu, and a more seamless guest experience, while staying true to Artisan Bakers’ roots as a warm, neighbourhood bakery and café.

Founded more than 23 years ago and formerly known as Bakemart, Artisan Bakers is a home-grown UAE brand built on European artisanal baking traditions and a deep commitment to craftsmanship. Founded by master baker TK Khaleel, the brand is known for its 18-year-old sourdough culture, preserved in the Puratos Sourdough Library in Belgium, and its focus on handcrafted breads, pastries, and all-day café offerings made using premium ingredients. Today, Artisan Bakers operates six locations across Dubai, combining time-honoured techniques with a modern, community-led café experience.

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Al Quoz (Industrial Area 3), the reimagined The Garden Concept has been designed as a relaxed yet elevated space that invites guests to slow down and stay awhile. Open daily from 8 AM – 11 PM, the interiors draw inspiration from classic European café warmth, layered with natural woods, stone textures, and soft lighting. Through its collaboration with The Garden Concept, the space introduces the garden-inspired elements throughout the dining area, including lush greenery, floral accents, and koi fish features, creating a calming indoor-outdoor atmosphere.

The menu at The Garden Concept has been thoughtfully refined to match the upgraded space while remaining rooted in Artisan Bakers’ core offering. Alongside the brand’s full signature bakery range, the refreshed menu introduces upgraded savoury dishes, refreshed breakfast favourites, and a stronger focus on specialty coffee. Weekly specials will rotate exclusively at this location, while a newly introduced Business Lunch (AED 89 for 2 two-course meal and AED 103 for a three-course meal) adds to its all-day appeal.

Signature dishes at The Garden Concept include the Benedict Royale (AED 55), a refined take on the breakfast classic featuring perfectly poached eggs and rich hollandaise, and the Prawn Chilli Herb Cream with Saffron Rice (AED 68), a comforting yet elevated dish that showcases bold flavours and careful technique. Other highlights include Fish & Chips with Tartare Sauce and Artisan’s Morning Delight Toast, while bakery favourites such as the Plain Croissant, Pain au Chocolat, Pistachio Croissant, Mango Mousse Cake, and Kifaya Cake remain at the heart of the experience.

A standout feature of the outlet is the live baking counter, where guests can watch artisan breads and pastries being prepared in real time, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to transparency and craft. The space also features improved display systems for cakes and viennoiserie, a dedicated coffee station, and an enhanced grab-and-go section designed for guests on the move.

With the reopening of The Garden Concept, Artisan Bakers continues to strengthen its presence across Dubai, offering spaces designed for every part of the day, whether stopping in during a morning walk for freshly baked croissants, settling in for a relaxed lunch, or picking up artisanal breads and cakes to take home. Thoughtfully designed and rooted in craftsmanship, the refreshed The Garden Concept brings together elevated café culture and everyday comfort, reaffirming Artisan Bakers as a neighbourhood favourite where guests return time and again.

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Hospitality

BLINGWOOD LAUNCHES AS THE MIDDLE EAST’S FIRST MICRO-DRAMA OTT PLATFORM

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BlingWood launches as Middle East’s first dedicated micro-drama OTT platform, expanding access to vertical short-form series through multilingual and dubbed content for diverse audiences. The platform features original vertical micro-dramas that combine regional storytelling with global production standards, serving changing viewing habits and demand for short-form premium content, with early BlingWood Originals including titles such as Kadak Coffee, Dooriyan Hi Hai Zaroori, and Forget Me Not.

Designed for today’s digital-first audiences, BlingWood delivers sharp, snappy, and engaging narratives through a proprietary micro-drama format. Each series consists of 30 episodes, with each episode running for two minutes, creating a complete 60-minute mini-series. This structure enables immersive storytelling in digestible chapters, maintaining narrative depth and character development while aligning with modern attention spans.

BlingWood’s content offering is entirely curated and professionally produced. Unlike user-generated platforms, all programming is scripted, written, and produced by industry professionals to ensure consistent editorial and production quality. The platform features professionally produced micro-drama series available in eight or more languages through original, dubbed, and localized versions, including English, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Korean, and others, reinforcing its commitment to language accessibility and cross-market reach. BlingWood focuses on original micro-dramas that resonate culturally while meeting international benchmarks, with the slate spanning romance, character drama, and high-concept fiction, including titles such as Bot Ne Bana Di Jodi and The Perfumer.

Commenting on the launch, Mohammad Faizan, Founder & CEO of BlingWood, said: “With BlingWood, we are introducing a new storytelling format to the Middle East that reflects how audiences consume content today. Micro-dramas allow us to deliver powerful, emotionally engaging stories in a concise format, without compromising on quality or narrative depth. Our vision is to create a platform that champions regional voices while operating at global production standards, positioning the Middle East as a key player in the future of short-form entertainment.”

The launch comes at a time of rapid global growth for the micro-drama category, which has demonstrated strong engagement and monetization potential. Globally, the format has attracted more than 830 million viewers, with approximately 60 percent identified as paying users. Leading platforms in the space have reported significant year-on-year growth, pointing to sustained audience retention and repeat viewing behavior, with BlingWood’s Originals line-up built around this high-retention episodic model.

BlingWood has been strategically designed for rapid global expansion, with an initial focus on key markets including the UAE and India, followed by a broader international rollout. While global in ambition, the platform remains rooted in regional storytelling, offering narratives that reflect local culture while appealing to a worldwide youth audience, supported by a growing slate of BlingWood Original micro-drama series.

With its launch, BlingWood aims to redefine how premium entertainment is created and consumed in the Middle East, establishing micro-drama as a mainstream OTT format and setting a new benchmark for short-form storytelling in the region.

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Hospitality

CELEBRATE EID IN STYLE WITH A LUXURIOUS STAYCATION AT KEMPINSKI PALM JUMEIRAH

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This Eid, Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah invites guests to enjoy a serene seaside escape in the heart of the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Available from March 20–22, the hotel invites families and friends to savour a long weekend of relaxation, connection, and celebration. Available with 40% off and free cancellation up to 3 days before arrival, perfect for an effortless Eid escape.

Whether it’s the first sunrise over the Gulf, laughter shared over breakfast, or quiet moments on a private terrace, each select suite offers a stage for unforgettable memories:

  • Ocean Two-Bedroom Suite – 163 m² of refined space with sweeping Arabian Gulf views, a master king bedroom, and a second twin bedroom with en-suite, perfect for family stays.
  • Palm Two-Bedroom Suite – 163 m² overlooking the tranquil Palm Jumeirah Lagoon, featuring a generous living area and two beautifully appointed bedrooms.
  • Two-Bedroom Suite with Private Pool – 350 m² of ground-level luxury, complete with a private pool and two ensuite bedrooms, offering a peaceful retreat from city life.

Every suite has been designed to blend comfort, elegance, and panoramic views, perfect for capturing those picture-perfect Eid moments, from morning coffees by the window to sunset reflections on the terrace.

Plan Your Eid Escape
The offer is available exclusively for stays from March 20–22, 2026. Whether it’s a family getaway, a friends’ retreat, or a quiet luxury break, Kempinski Palm Jumeirah transforms your Eid into a celebration of style, connection, and memorable moments.

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