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Gulfood 2025 30th Edition Kicks Off Today, Setting New Benchmarks in F&B Growth and Innovation

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Gulfood

Gulfood’s 30th edition kicks off on 17 February at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) welcoming tens of thousands of attendees, uniting 5500+ exhibitors from 129 countries, and the world’s foremost industry CEOs, policymakers, investors, and visionaries. Under the theme ‘The Next Frontier in Food,’ the event anticipates USD 20 billion in trade deals and cutting-edge industry collaboration. H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, will deliver the opening keynote on Day 2 at the inaugural Food500 Summit, addressing Gulfood’s economic impact and the UAE’s role as a global trade gateway.

Food500: Titans of Industry and Policymakers Connect on Food Strategy for Change

The Food500 Summit brings industry leaders together to tackle pressing challenges and opportunities across the food value chain. Speakers include: Ananya Narayan, CEO – Hunter Foods; Dr. Edwini Kessie, Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division, World Trade Organization – Switzerland; Alvyn Severien, CEO, Montaigne Nutrition and Co-founder, Algama – France; Tisha Livingston, CEO, Infinite Acres – USA, leading global top trends expert – Daniel Levine, and many more.

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, said: “The selection of the food cluster as the first economic cluster to be developed by the UAE highlights the importance the country attaches to the sector as a key driver of economic diversification. The food cluster strategy aims to ensure self-sufficiency in food production and enhance the food ecosystem management through supporting agricultural enterprises and increasing local production. The initiative will not only help us meet local market needs but will also position the UAE as a leading food exporter to key regional and global markets and support the goals of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, such as increasing the national GDP to AED 3 trillion by the next decade.”

“Against this backdrop, the landmark edition of Gulfood will serve as an ideal platform for partnerships and discussions, presenting opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking across industries, thus fostering a foundation for setting and accomplishing future objectives within the global trade community,” H.E. added.

Gulfood Innovation Awards & Global Trade Showcase

The Gulfood Innovation Awards celebrate the very best in F&B innovation, recognizing trailblazing products, technologies, and ideas. Visitors can expect to see hundreds of thousands of new products and groundbreaking innovations showcased across the event.

“Our participation in Gulfood’s 30th edition supports our strategic direction towards our vision to become the number one global halal sustainable healthy protein company by 2030. This prestigious event allows us to showcase our latest innovations, connect with industry leaders, and drive meaningful progress in food solutions. Being shortlisted for the Gulfood Innovation Awards further underscores our commitment to excellence and pioneering advancements in the protein industry. Congratulations to Gulfood on 30 years of remarkable success. Your continuous growth and innovation have set new benchmarks for the global food industry, making Gulfood a premier platform for connection, collaboration, and progress.” said Marcos Delorenzo, CEO of ADC, Tanmiah’s Poultry Division.

TOP TABLE: ‘Culinary Futurism’ Theme Prevails Headlined by Gastronomic Legend Alain Ducasse

The 30th edition promises to be unforgettable as Gulfood brings Alain Ducasse to the UAE for the first time, where he will lead Top Table and Dubai World Cuisine activations. A chef with 21 Michelin stars, Ducasse is renowned for his innovative approach to gastronomy and his strong focus on sustainability—a vision that aligns with the UAE’s commitment to promoting sustainable food practices. The gastronomic superstar will share his insights on culinary futurism and the future of the industry on Day 3 of Food500.

Chef Alain Ducasse commented: “With Top Table at Gulfood, Dubai demonstrates its incredible momentum in attracting the most brilliant talents from all over the world. I’m proud to be part of this event with Chef Romain Meder. First in conducting a masterclass together at Top Table and hosting exclusive dinners at Takahisa. Yet also in meeting with my fellow chefs and the public, sharing our experiences and thus contributing to the rapidly evolving gastronomy scene in the region.”

Celebrating Dubai’s rise as a global food hub, Top Table, sponsored by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), presents live masterclasses from 120+ global and local chefs with a combined 50 Michelin-stars. Take a front-row seat as dishes from every cuisine utilising products from the exhibition floor are brought to life across engaging masterclasses, tasting sessions, and demonstrations.

DUBAI WORLD CUISINE: Celebrating Dubai’s Dynamic Culinary Journey Towards International Food Epicentre

Exclusively created for Gulfood ticket holders, attendees can experience Dubai’s culinary finesse, connected to the Top Table masterclasses. A schedule of 4-and 6-hands fine dining collaborations, with a highlight 8-hands experience, has been curated across some of Dubai’s top restaurants including: Krasota, Takahisa, Avatara, Lowe, Armani Ristorante, Orfali Bros and Armani Amal.

Discovery Tours
Visitors can fast-track the best of Gulfood with unique hour-long Discovery tours, a line-up of 5 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.

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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