This October, Dubai will once again welcome What The Food by Alserkal, back for its fourth edition on 25–26th October. Sponsored by Dubai Eats, the two-day platform isn’t just another foodie event. Truth be told, it’s a playground for ideas, a meeting point for chefs, creators, and culinary minds eager to challenge traditional cooking methods. This year’s theme, ‘Disrupting the Table,’ isn’t just about flashy presentations; it’s about getting real with the future of food.
What The Food Returns To Dubai: Disrupting The Table In 2025
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Through a mix of talks, workshops, masterclasses, installations, and film screenings, the festival gently encourages you to rethink the way we eat, cook, and connect, and perhaps even how we perceive food in our everyday lives. Come on, we all know Dubai loves fine dining, but this isn’t about another Instagram-perfect plate. It’s about asking the bigger questions.
A Festival That’s More Than Just Food
The talks and workshops are curated by Cláudia de Brito, Gulf Academy Chair of MENA 50 Best Restaurants, who brings a global perspective while keeping the local scene in focus. She’ll guide sessions that go beyond trends, diving into innovation, sustainability, provenance, and storytelling in food, things you can actually take home and try yourself.
One of the weekend’s highlights has to be the keynote by Asma Khan, the British-Indian chef behind London’s Darjeeling Express. Her talk, “Redefining Food for Tomorrow,” isn’t just a lecture; it’s a call to question tradition, rethink fairness in the kitchen, and consider the bigger picture of how food shapes communities and systems around the world.
Day One: Innovation Meets Sustainability
The opening day leans into innovation and sustainability, exploring techniques and practices that serve both people and the planet. Day two shifts to hands-on experiences, letting attendees try out ideas and approaches for themselves.
Where Food Meets Culture
Beyond the kitchen, the festival celebrates food as a connector. The exhibition “Tindahan Sa Tahanan Co.” by Filipino collective Sa Tahanan Co. honours small neighbourhood stores and everyday rituals, featuring eight artists from across the UAE, UK, Italy, Qatar, and the Philippines. Other cultural activations and workshops showcase storytelling through food, with contributions from The Growhouse by OneLife, Lila Molino, Middle Child, Nightjar, Cinema Akil, and Gulf Photo Plus.
Also Read: 8 Best Ice Cream Treats In Dubai That Broke The Internet
Looking Ahead
For anyone curious about what’s next in the culinary world, this year’s What The Food promises a mix of inspiration, provocation, and actionable ideas. After all, disrupting the table isn’t just about conversation; it’s about shaping the way we think, cook, and connect through food.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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