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Partners
Dear Members, Friends, and Partners,
Welcome to the February 2026 edition of Gulf Gourmet. This special issue celebrates the heart of Emirati cuisine and the growing excitement for this year’s Emirates International Salon Culinaire (EISC) 2026.
The year of the Guild is already off to a strong start. Our first meeting of 2026 was held at the elegant St. Regis Hotel in Abu Dhabi, where we were delighted to welcome new partners and members into our culinary family. The gathering was hosted by Chef Kushan, Vice President of the ECG Abu Dhabi Chapter and Executive Chef of St. Regis Hotel Corniche AD, who sparked a spirit of collaboration, mentorship, and bold innovation for the year to come.
Our cover story this month is a truly inspiring journey into heritage and innovation. Chef Nabhan Abdulrahman, aptly described as A Living Heritage, shares his mission to bring Emirati cuisine to the forefront of the global culinary stage. In a city celebrated for its international gastronomy, many have yet to experience the traditions of local food. Chef Nabhan explains his remarkable pursuit while caught between preserving tradition, handling resistance while reinventing, all so he can bring the Emirati flavors to the table.
Meanwhile, the 29th Emirates International Salon Culinaire (EISC) 2026 returns to Dubai from 6–8 July at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events Centre. After seven years in Sharjah, the Salon comes back bigger, bolder, and more business-focused than ever, in collaboration with PKE Events. This high-level industry competition promises not only world-class culinary excellence but also a platform for chefs, brands, and aspiring talent to connect, innovate, and inspire.
We are also eagerly anticipating the finale of the Aria Pro Mastery Competition, Edition 2, where pastry chefs will present their most artistic and innovative creations, showcasing precision, imagination, and the art of edible storytelling. From delicate sugar work to inventive plated desserts, this competition continues to raise the bar for pastry artistry and inspires both experienced and new chefs throughout the region.
As always, we love sharing stories that ignite creativity. In this edition, we shine a light on everything from young chefs who are redefining their craft to trends that are raising the bar across the UAE. It is a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the next generation of culinary leaders. Whether you are competing, learning, or just love good food, there is a little something here to inspire everyone. Do take a moment to explore our features, follow the journeys of chefs pushing boundaries, and immerse yourself in the traditions and heritage. Keep an eye out for more exciting updates as we approach July.
We invite you to explore past issues https://issuu.com/gulfgourmetmagazine and emiratesculinaryguild.net to stay updated on events and news. If you have not already, follow us on social media to see what chefs around the world are creating, and perhaps connect with someone who inspires you. As always, if there is something you would like to see in a future issue, send us an email. Let us know what matters to you, what stories you want told, and what lessons you have learned along the way. If you have any questions about the events, please reach out to us at emiratesculinaryguild@gmail.com
Cheers to the year full of flavor, stories,
innovation, and culinary excellence.
Culinary regards,
Alan Orreal
