In a significant celebration of culinary excellence, Dubai Municipality (DM) announced the winners of the inaugural Food Elite program at the 18th Food Safety Conference, held in Dubai on Monday.
The program aims to honor restaurants that have consistently demonstrated leadership in food safety while also committing to sustainability, nutrition, and social responsibility.
The Food Elite awards were divided into three categories: hotels, standalone eateries, and quick-service restaurants.
The prestigious title in the hotel category was awarded to Mediterraneo, located in the iconic Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa.
Cucina restaurant at Marriott Palm Jumeirah secured the second place, followed by Brasserie Boulud at Sofitel Dubai the Obelisk in third.
In the standalone category, Clap restaurant at DIFC Gate Village emerged as the clear winner, with Leila restaurant in Downtown Dubai and Bab Al Mansour on Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard taking the second and third spots, respectively.
The quick-service restaurant category saw Trader’s House at Dubai World Trade Centre clinch the top honor, with McDonald’s in Blue Tower as runners-up, and Albaik in Diyafa coming in third.
Sultan Al Taher, Director of the Food Safety Department at DM, emphasized the unique nature of the awards. “We looked at best practices around the world,” he noted.
“There are several awards, but their scope is quite limited, either focusing only on food safety or sustainability. This program integrates multiple aspects.”
Over 400 restaurants applied for the awards, with ten shortlisted in each category, all boasting a Grade A rating from the municipality.
Al Taher indicated that the civic body is considering expanding the award categories in the future to include more diverse culinary establishments.
Kayan Al Jaff, Head of Mission and Advisor at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), praised the awards as “innovative,” stating that they serve a dual purpose. “Recognizing these restaurants motivates them to enhance their sustainability efforts,” he said.
“Additionally, it creates a platform for them to learn from one another. Even smaller or newer establishments can gain hope for the future through this recognition, which is essential.”
In a later session, food safety expert Mohamed Mohamady revealed that all 30 shortlisted restaurants would receive detailed reports highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement, further supporting their growth and excellence in the industry.
The Food Elite program is poised to set a new standard in Dubai’s vibrant culinary landscape, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation among restaurants.
By shining a spotlight on establishments that excel in food safety and sustainability, Dubai Municipality is not only recognizing outstanding performance but also inspiring the entire sector to elevate their standards.
As the culinary scene in Dubai continues to flourish, the Food Elite awards stand as a testament to the commitment of local restaurants to provide safe, nutritious, and sustainable dining experiences for residents and visitors alike.