Tag Archives: DET

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. …

H.E Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, in a special gathering underlined Dubai’s growing commitment to integrating sport, tourism, sustainability and technology as the emirate prepares to host the World Sports Summit (WSS), positioning the event as a key driver of destination development and sports tourism. Addressing industry stakeholders, Belhoul emphasised that the future of sport extends well beyond football, calling attention to athletes, innovators and contributors across all disciplines who are shaping the wider sports ecosystem. He highlighted the strategic role of technology and sustainability as core pillars of the summit, reflecting Dubai’s broader vision for innovation-led growth. An interactive technology activation zone will be hosted alongside the main summit arena, allowing visitors to experience cutting-edge sports innovations—many supported and showcased by athletes themselves. Sustainability, Belhoul noted, will be embedded across discussions, experiences and programming, reinforcing sport’s responsibility in driving positive environmental and social impact. Belhoul also pointed to the complementary positioning of major global events taking place in Dubai on 28 December, including the Globe Soccer Awards and WSS Day Zero. While Globe Soccer focuses on football excellence, the World Sports Summit adopts a multi-sport, legacy-driven approach, celebrating long-term contributions across the global sports landscape. Crucially for the travel and tourism trade, Belhoul confirmed ongoing collaboration with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to create immersive experiences for athletes, delegates and their families. Timed during the peak holiday season, the summit has been curated to blend high-level dialogue with destination experiences—from desert adventures to New Year celebrations—strengthening Dubai’s appeal as a world-class sports and leisure hub. The World Sports Summit is positioned as one of the most exclusive global gatherings dedicated to shaping the future of …