GreatList Sessions Takes Ten of Dubai’s Top Chefs to the World Stage

By Jenny Susan / November 14, 2025

Dubai, UAE: GreatList, the international restaurant guide, has launched GreatList Session. This is an ambitious culinary initiative to highlight Dubai as the world’s gastronomical capital. Consequently, the company organised the first and largest overseas showcase of Dubai’s ten most celebrated chefs. These chefs are recognised by Michelin, Gault&Millau, The Worlds 50 Best MENA, and GreatList. The project’s goal is to connect cultures through food. Furthermore, it gives global audiences a deeper understanding of the UAE’s diverse culinary identity.

Elevating Dubai’s Culinary Identity

The international tour kicked off in Moscow. Crucially this marked the debut of a large-scale international showcase in one of Dubai’s top ten tourist markets. Dubai’s top restaurants hosted immersive, week-long, sold-out pop-ups. They offered diners a true taste of the city’s culinary innovation. Thus, they made Dubai’s vibrant F&B landscape more accessible to global audiences.

This achieved record-breaking visibility. The tour saw over 400 publications, four features on national television, and a total media reach exceeding 45 million readers. Ultimately, this delivers impactful media value, further strengthening Dubai’s reputation as a hub for cross-cultural collaboration.

GreatList familiarised diners with the depth, originality, and diversity of Dubai’s dining scene. This scene reflects the cuisine that is a melting pot of 200 nationalities. The project brought together some of Dubai’s most celebrated restaurants: Gerbou, HANU, Moonrise, Row on 45, Signor Sassi, BOCA, Takahisa, and Jun’s. This shows the full spectrum of Dubai’s dining culture.

Building Bridges and Nurturing Talent

Alexander Sysoev, Founder of GreatList, expressed pride in the initiative. “This project has become a bridge between the UAE and other culinary destinations,” he said. It connects chefs and ideas while highlighting Dubai’s role as one of the world’s most dynamic gastronomic capitals. “We aim to inspire future travellers to explore the city more deeply through its chefs, flavours, and spirit.”

Beyond international recognition, GreatList is also committed to supporting the UAE’s F&B ecosystem. They focus on the development of the next generation of homegrown culinary talent. In October, the first GreatList by Alexander Sysoev Scholarship was awarded. It partnered with the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT). The annual scholarship recognises the most talented students. It rewards them with full and partial tuition awards to advance their studies reflecting GreatList’s long-term mission to empower future chefs.

The UAE’s gastronomy market is projected to reach US$50.21 billion by 2033. Greatlist’s overseas showcase contributes directly to this momentum. Furthermore, it positions UAE chefs and restaurants on the global stage. Looking ahead, the company is set to expand its global footprint into Shanghai, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

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