Dubai: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has partnered with on-demand delivery platform talabat to launch The Emirati Chef’s Table Plus, powered by talabat grow.
According to Emirates News Agency, this initiative builds upon The Emirati Chef’s Table, which focuses on identifying, mentoring, and promoting Emirati culinary talent. The talabat grow programme introduces a structured, long-term growth strategy to help Emirati-owned restaurants scale sustainably within Dubai’s competitive food and hospitality ecosystem.
The Memorandum of Understanding for the programme was signed by Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, and Toon Gyssels, CEO of talabat, during the World Governments Summit at Madinat Jumeirah. This initiative underscores Dubai’s commitment to the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the city’s economy by 2033 and establish it as a leading business hub for SMEs by empowering Emirati entrepreneurs.
Over 12 months, the initiative will support a curated group of high-potential, locally owned Emirati restaurants through intensive training and tailored commercial support. It will begin with a six-week bootcamp and continue with sustained advisory services provided through talabat grow, the platform’s small business enablement programme.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri highlighted that The Emirati Chef’s Table initiative was designed to connect national culinary talent with market opportunities. He noted that the new Plus initiative focuses on commercial readiness and long-term sustainability, enabling Emirati-owned restaurants to strengthen their competitiveness.
Toon Gyssels emphasized the importance of small, locally owned restaurants to Dubai’s food landscape. He stated that the Emirati Chef’s Table Plus is aimed at supporting long-term capability building for Emirati restaurant owners, equipping them with tools and insights for growth.
The talabat grow programme is training-led, focusing on operational excellence and digital tool usage. Participating businesses will benefit from enhanced visibility and dedicated guidance to strengthen long-term resilience and growth.
The Emirati Chef’s Table Plus aligns with Dubai SME’s mandate to strengthen priority sectors and advance the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, by fostering national talent within high-growth industries.