Celebrating homegrown stars
Dubai SME and Kitopi have teamed up for a new three-month stint of The Emirati Chef’s Table, putting the spotlight on 12 homegrown chefs and culinary entrepreneurs for a brand new edition.
The Founders Series runs across three batches from September to November, giving each group of four founders the chance to showcase their food to customers through Eatopi at Dubai Hills Mall and One Central.
The first batch, running until October 2, features Wadeema Abdalla of Saccharose Desserts, Rehab Al Ameri of Local Foundry, Abdulrahman Lootah of One Made and Zainab Al Mousawi of To The Moon & Back.
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Expect everything from Saccharose Desserts’ Mango Sticky Rice and Warm Sticky Date Pudding to Local Foundry’s pizzas made with 38-hour fermented dough. One Made brings contemporary comfort food inspired by food and fitness, while To The Moon & Back puts a modern spin on Emirati ingredients and flavours.
Coming Up Next
Following the first four, another four founders will take over Eatopi from October 2 to 30, with the final group following from November 2 to 30. The names and concepts will be announced ahead of each launch.
The initiative is designed to go beyond simply putting dishes on a menu. Participating founders will gain access to Kitopi’s kitchens, customer base and delivery network, alongside mentorship, content production and marketing support. It also gives them the opportunity to test their concepts in a live commercial environment and reach new customers.
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The programme builds on The Emirati Chef’s Table, which launched in 2025 with five Emirati F&B entrepreneurs. This year’s expanded Founder Series aims to give more local talent practical experience and a direct route to growing their businesses.
The first batch is already available to order through Eatopi, so if you’re looking for a taste of some of Dubai’s emerging Emirati culinary talent, this is one menu worth checking out.
Image credit: @onemade.ae on Instagram
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
