The Best Chef is delighted to announce that its 8th annual awards event will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 4-6, 2024.

Set to be the largest edition of The Best Chef Awards, the 2024 installment of the awards reflects the expanding influence of The Best Chef platform and the growing significance of Dubai in the culinary world. Powered by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), this groundbreaking edition of The Best Chef Awards stands as the inaugural global culinary awards event to take place in Dubai and the Middle East, cementing the city’s position as a hub for culinary brilliance in the international gastronomic scene.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, “We are honoured that Dubai has been selected to host The Best Chef Awards for the first time outside Europe and the Americas, further reinforcing the city’s position as an international events destination and culinary capital. This also aligns with the aspiration of our visionary leadership and the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s status as a leading global city for business and leisure. Our annual gastronomy research found that 69% of residents said Dubai is the world’s leading gastronomic hub, ahead of Milan and Paris – a growing sentiment that is reflected by hosting these major awards. Furthermore, the choice of Dubai as the venue for the event’s latest edition is a testament to the continued support of our stakeholders and partners. With local and Dubai-based restaurants increasingly gaining acclaim on a global scale, we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s top culinary talents, while showcasing our city’s innovative spirit and its vibrant and diverse culinary landscape.”

The Best Chef Awards 2024 in Dubai will convene an impressive lineup of global culinary figures, featuring renowned chefs such as Vaughan Mabee of Amisfield, Albert Adrià of Enigma, Ángel León of Aponiente, and Floriano Pellegrino & Isabella Potì of BROS, underscoring the event’s status as a premier platform for international culinary excellence. The spotlight will also shine on Dubai’s leading chefs—including Gregoire Berger, Mohammed Orfali, and Himanshu Saini—who are key contenders for top accolades, reflecting their significant impact on the local gastronomic landscape.

The event will showcase Dubai’s emerging culinary talents such as Wassim Orfali and Christophe Devoille in pastry, alongside Tetsuya Wakuda of Sagetsu and Rita Sueidan of Maisan15, who are set to enrich the city-wide programming with their innovative approaches. Local award candidates Eva Halasa of Three by Eva, Kelvin Cheung of Jun’s, and Arianna Bundy of Ariana’s Persian Kitchen will further highlight the breadth of culinary expertise that Dubai has to offer. The Best Chef Awards 2024 marks the event’s largest edition ever in addition to serving as a critical nexus for industry networking, collaboration, and recognition of both established and emerging culinary professionals on a local and global scale.