FHS World Brings Together Top UAE Chefs for Middle East’s First Sustainable Cook-Off

Dubai, 5 September 2024:  Top chefs from across the UAE will come under the spotlight at the region’s first Sustainable Cook-off contest, taking place at Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, 30 September to 2 October.

Celebrating the unique flavours of the UAE and culinary excellence while championing sustainability in line with government net zero directives, the competition – in partnership with The Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG), UAE Restaurants Group (UAERG), Fresh On Table and the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) – will see locally-sourced ingredients transformed into innovative, gastronomic masterpieces to be presented to a panel of esteemed judges and served to FHS delegates.

Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of FHS World organiser, The Bench, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to add the Sustainable Cook-off to our list of first-time event features and attractions at FHS World 2024. This unique competition – a natural fit with FHS World’s overarching theme of ‘Invest in our Future’ – is the perfect platform for chefs to grow, develop and foster young talent. And, with the spotlight on ESG like never before, it’s an ideal way to highlight and promote sustainable practices in terms of culinary, hotel, and event operations.

“It is also very fitting that our Sustainable Cook-off is taking place at Madinat Jumeirah – the original home of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), now FHS. Jumeirah, our host sponsor, has proactively led the way on sustainable practices over the last decade and continues to explore ways to innovate and make major events like FHS more sustainable.”

The Sustainable Cook-off is themed ‘The Sustainable 7 Emirates’, with a focus on fresh produce from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Sharjah. The ECG and UAERG is partnering with FreshOnTable to source and secure the local ingredients, which include Manchego cheese, honey, sea bream, exotic mushrooms and edible flowers.

“At FreshOnTable, we are excited to have envisioned the concept of showcasing 7 ingredients from 7 emirates for this innovative event. The Sustainable Cook-off is not just a competition; it’s a celebration of how local ingredients and creative techniques can unite to promote a more sustainable future in gastronomy. We look forward to seeing how the UAE’s top chefs will bring this idea to life, setting new benchmarks for environmental impact and culinary creativity,” commented Atul Chopra, Founder & CEO, FreshOnTable.

The contest kicks off with a virtual format, where the chefs’ chosen recipe and photograph of the dish are submitted to judges for assessment. The top 15 will then be invited to cook their dish live at FHS World, with five chefs recreating their culinary masterpiece each day of the event. And, to ensure that FHS World delegates get a taste of the action, each creation will be replicated by the Madinat Jumeirah Culinary Team and served to FHS World attendees.

Spearheading the work, creativity and forward-thinking approach of UAE chefs is Andy Cuthbert, President of the Emirates Culinary Guild, advisor to the UAE Restaurants Group and General Manager, Madinat Jumeirah Conferences and Events.  

Commenting on the Sustainable Cook-off, he said: “The UAE is firmly established as a leading hub for culinary innovation and education, and a world-class destination for gastronomes.  With that, comes a responsibility to help protect the environment in line with UAE government net zero objectives.  As sustainability becomes more and more important, the hospitality fraternity must continually think about how their actions today affect our planet of tomorrow.  The Sustainable Cook-off is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent, imagination and green-thinking approach among some of the country’s most renowned chefs.”

“I am confident that the Sustainable Cook-Off will inspire not only the participants but also the entire culinary community to embrace sustainability and innovation. It is through events like this that we can collectively elevate the standards of our industry and continue to celebrate the unique and diverse flavors that the Emirates have to offer,” added Abdulla AlMulla, Chairman, UAE Restaurants Group.

ESG and sustainability feature heavily on the FHS World agenda, with a host of presentations and panel debates under a key conference track:  People, Planet, Profit. For more information and to register for FHS World, visit the website. For more information on the Sustainable Cook Off, click here.

About The Bench

The Bench has established a legacy for delivering world-leading investment forums and conferences in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The key principle behind these platforms has remained ‘dealmaking’. Transforming the way business connect, Bench has developed a reputation for creating innovative and high-impact meeting spaces for the industry. 

For over two decades - government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel & tourism associations, the world’s most influential hospitality brands, hotel owners & investors, renowned restaurant groups, airlines & aviation authorities, destination developers, asset managers, financial groups and consultants – have been participating in The Bench’s events for their respective objectives. These include AHIC, AHIF, FHS, AHF, IDEEA, AviaDev and RENEW –where industry players showcase their brands, position themselves as thought leaders or innovators, and connect with the right opportunities and knowledge. 

Learn more on thebench.com

About FHS World

Dates:                           30 September – 2 October 2024

Location:                       Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Sponsors: 

Jumeirah as Host Sponsor; Italia Hospitality, Maldives Fund Management Corporation, Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development-SMIT and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority as Country Pavilion Sponsors; Aseer Development Authority, Hilton, NEOM, New Murabba, Radisson Hotel Group and Taiba Investments as Platinum sponsors; Accor, Club Med, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Minor Hotels, Red Sea Global and Rotana Hotels and Resorts as Emerald Sponsors; Action Hotels, Adyen, Aleph Hospitality, ARC International Design Consultants, Ark People Solutions, Asfar, AtkinsRealis, Barriere Group, Cavendish Maxwell, CBRE, Colliers, Compagnie Hoteliere et Immobiliere du Congo (CHIC), Compass Project Consulting, Dusit International, Elaf Group, Emaar Hospitality Group, Enterprise Greece, HVS, Hyatt, IHCL, JLL, JT+Partners, Kearney, Knight Frank, Les Roches Abu Dhabi, LEVA Hotels, Livit Consulting & Design, Louvre Hotels Group, Prologic First, PwC, Quo, Rikas Hospitality Group, roboSculptor, Rove Hotels, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), The Ascott Limited, TUI Hotels & Resorts, United Hospitality Management, Unox and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Gold Sponsors; Aldar, Conran Business Group, COREcruitment, EHL, H World International, Shaza Hotels, Studiomint Design Group, STR, Sunset Hospitality, The Summary Executive Properties, and Time Hotels as Silver Sponsors; Forsite Creative as Data Partner - Restaurant Invest; Lokalee as Start-up Exhibitor; Lock Stock & Barrel as After Party Host; BE WTR as Water Station Sponsor; COREcruitement as Coffee Sponsor; Considerate Group, HAMA, Skyline University College, Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, The Emirates Culinary Guild, UAE Restaurants Group, UN Tourism and World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance as Supporters.

About UAERG:

The UAE Restaurants Group (UAERG) is a distinguished collective of food and beverage industry professionals committed to advancing the culinary landscape in the UAE. As a not-for-profit entity, UAERG brings together some of the finest restaurant names, uniting under a common mission to elevate the Food and Beverage industry in the region.

Our vision is to transform the UAE into a rapidly emerging gastronomical hub on a global stage. UAERG aspires to position the emirates as a paragon of innovation, creativity, and excellence in the realm of food and beverage destinations worldwide. Driven by principles of integrity, sustainability, and unity, UAERG is dedicated to fostering a thriving community that contributes to the growth and enhancement of the industry. Our commitment to these core values sets the foundation for a collaborative and forward-thinking approach.

For those interested in becoming a part of this dynamic community, UAERG welcomes inquiries regarding membership and sponsorship. For more information, please contact us at sherine@uaerg.ae, and join us in shaping the future of the UAE's culinary landscape.