Tag Archives: Ayesha Khoory

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai have successfully concluded the ‘From Heritage to Plate’ culinary competition. Held in partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Sikka Art & Design Festival 2026, and powered by Foodverse, the initiative celebrated the rich tapestry of Emirati cuisine, championing local ingredients and providing a powerful platform for the next generation of culinary stars. The competition invited up-and-coming chefs and residents of all nationalities to showcase their creativity by reinterpreting traditional Emirati dishes using authentic local ingredients. Out of hundreds of online submissions, eight exceptional finalists were selected to compete live. On 13 December, these talented chefs came together at ICCA Dubai, where they cooked their final dishes before an esteemed panel of judges, including renowned culinary experts Andy Cuthbert, President of Worldchefs; Mohamad Orfali, CEO & Head of Culinary at Orfali Bros; and Nabhan Abdulrahman, Chef and F&B Consultant at Jumeirah Emirates Towers. The competition saw the selection of two winners: Ayesha Khoory, who took first-place and was awarded AED40,000, and second-place winner Alya Al Ali, who received AED20,000. Beyond monetary prizes, both winners will gain the opportunity to showcase their winning culinary creations at the prestigious Sikka Art & Design Festival 2026, Taste of Dubai 2026 and Dubai World Cuisine at Gulfood 2026, providing them with a powerful launchpad for their professional careers. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of DET, said: “The ‘From Heritage to Plate’ culinary competition has been a testament to Dubai’s dedication to its cultural roots and its future, and we congratulate our winners and all chefs who entered and participated. …

Read More »