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Partners
Dear Members, Friends, and Partners,
Welcome to the November issue of Gulf Gourmet.
As we turn the page from last month’s celebrations, I would like to take a moment to wish all our readers a heartfelt Happy International Chefs Day! Why limit the appreciation to just one day, when every day is a reminder of the passion behind this beautiful, demanding craft? Chefs inspire, teach, and nourish entire communities, and their dedication deserves recognition every single day.
This year, the Emirates Culinary Guild, in collaboration with Chef Training & Consultancy (CIC), Chef Majed Al Sabagh, Madam Badya, and the ECG Committee, joined hands with senior and young chefs alike. Led by Chef Islam, the celebration spent a day guiding children through the joy of creating healthy dishes, proving once again that culinary passion begins with sharing knowledge.
Our cover story this month shines a spotlight on the outstanding chefs who triumphed at the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge 2025. With confidence as their constant companion, the UAE Emirates Culinary Guild team turned months of preparation into a glittering success. We also have an insightful Q&A with Chef Lin Naing Soe, Head Chef at ATTIKO Dubai, on balancing flavor, technique, and inspiration to create exquisite Pan-Asian cuisine.
Behind the scenes, we celebrate the leadership that keeps our culinary world running seamlessly. With her wealth of experience in streamlining initiatives and fostering cohesion across competitions, Josephine Cuthbert, Vice President of Administration & Affairs of the Emirates Culinary Guild, continues to keep the guild's daily operations running efficiently and effectively, making a real difference every day.
And as the saying goes, where you have passion, you find your home. For Chef Dhanushka Navod, Pastry Sous Chef, that home is found in the artistry of pastry. Also in this issue, we have thoughtprovoking op-eds on entrepreneurship in hospitality, balancing mental health and passion in the F&B industry, rethinking food waste in professional kitchens, and how Gen Z's social media-savvy palates are shaping bold new umami trends inspired by East Asian flavors.
Take a moment to explore the company profiles of our corporate members. Also, do look at the Friends of the Guild pages to see all of our amazing supporters. These are the people and companies that help us keep the spotlight where it belongs: on chefs and stories that make a difference.
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
A heartfelt thank you to every member, corporate partner, supporter, and friend of the Emirates Culinary Guild who has contributed to our initiatives and competitions this year.
As November begins and we near the end of 2025, it is a great time to look back on the connections we have made, the creativity we have shared, and the stories that have shaped our community. This season is about appreciating the people and moments that make our culinary world so inspiring. So keep on reading and celebrating the people and flavors that make our world special.
Culinary Regards,
Alan Orreal
