UAE Chefs Claim Three Podium Positions at World Food Championships

By Jenny Susan / November 14, 2025

Dubai, UAE: Three exceptional chefs from the UAE achieved outstanding results at the World Food Championships (WFC) 2025. This premier event ran from October 16-19 in Indianapolis, USA. The MENA contingent competed against over 1,200 culinary champions from more than 40 countries where they demonstrated the region’s exceptional talent and culinary diversity on the world’s largest competitive cooking stage.

The WFC is the largest culinary competition on the planet. Thousands of cooks and professional chefs compete through structured qualifying rounds. Dishes are judged by celebrity chefs, food personalities, and industry leaders. Only the highest-scoring competitors advance to the Finals. They then claim the title of Category Champion and earn a place at the Final Table in 2026.

Recognising the MENA Region's Culinary Champions

The UAE secured three top placements across diverse categories. We proudly highlight the brilliant achievements of these culinary champions on the global stage:

First Place - Vegetarian Category: Surabhi Suri (UAE)

Surabhi Suri, a plant-based culinary artist and founder of Sebze, Dubai’s top-rated plant-forward supper club, claimed first place. Her stunning creation was Pumpkin Cheese and Katafi Kebabs. She stuffed these with strawberries and pine nuts. Furthermore, she served the kebabs with pesto bulgur, strawberry chutney, pumpkin crema, strawberry caviar, herb oil, and strawberry and pumpkin tuile. Surabhi is acclaimed for her inventive approach to vegan and vegetarian cuisine, blending Indian traditions with global influences. She advocates zero-waste cooking and showcases vegetarian cuisine as a complete sensory experience.

Second Place - Dessert Category: Gameedah Riffel (UAE)

Gameedah Riffel, a South African pastry chef based in Dubai, secured second place. Her sophisticated creation was called “The Peppercorn.” It featured black pepper and milk chocolate mousse under a dark chocolate peppercorn shell. In addition, this rested atop a chocolate brownie with strawberry cheesecake cream. The dish finished with strawberry and black pepper compote and kataifi pastry crunch. Currently working at Papagalos on Palm Jumeirah, Gameedah brings precision and creativity to the international stage.

Third Place - Pasta & Noodle Category: Azhar Katarbayeva (UAE)

Azhar Katarbayeva, a Kazakhstan-born chef who moved to Dubai five years ago, earned third place. Her deeply personal dish was “Lagman”– a Central Asian-style hand-pulled noodles with beef stew and vegetables. She finished the dish with homemade chili oil. Specifically, the dish recreates cherished memories of her childhood. Azhar now runs Dastarkhan, a supper club and cooking workshop sharing Central Asian culinary heritage.

Showcasing Global Culinary Diversity

Tarek Sultani, Co-Founder of Cucina del Sul, acknowledged this year’s outstanding achievements. “These results demonstrate the exceptional calibre of culinary talent emerging from the MENA region,” he commented. He added that the champions have proven they can compete and excel on the world’s most prestigious culinary stage. “From Surabhi’s first-place victory to Azhar’s heartfelt tribute to her heritage, each competitor brought something uniquely powerful to Indianapolis.”

In the Middle East, WFC MENA regional qualifiers are organised by Cucina del Sul, the official licensee. They have been instrumental in elevating the region’s culinary scene globally. Since establishing the MENA qualifiers, Cucina del Sul has provided pathways for aspiring chefs. The region now boasts representation across five of the competition’s ten main categories. The WFC awards over $2 million in prize money and attracts competitors from over 40 countries worldwide.

Applications for the next WFC MENA regional qualifiers will open in 2026.

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