● Three-month Founder Series builds on The Emirati Chef’s Table initiative launched in 2025, providing greater market exposure for Emirati F&B founders
● Twelve founders will participate across three batches between September and November, with four concepts featured in each batch
● Programme combines mentorship with access to Kitopi’s operational network, content and marketing support, and opportunities to reach customers through Eatopi
Dubai, UAE – 9 September 2026: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and Kitopi have launched the next phase of The Emirati Chef’s Table, expanding the initiative launched in 2025 with a new three-month Founder Series supporting 12 Emirati chefs and culinary entrepreneurs.
Building on the programme’s inaugural cohort of five Emirati F&B entrepreneurs, the Founder Series will provide a larger group of culinary talent with practical opportunities to develop their concepts, increase market visibility, and reach new audiences. Twelve founders are participating across three batches between September and November 2026, with four entrepreneurs featured during each period. Through the collaboration, participating founders will gain access to Kitopi’s kitchens, customer base and delivery network, alongside mentorship, content production, and marketing support. Selected concepts will also have the opportunity to feature on Eatopi’s menu, giving founders direct exposure to customers and enabling them to test, refine and showcase their offerings in a live commercial environment.
The first batch, running from 3 September to 2 October, brings together four Emirati founders representing a range of culinary concepts: Wadeema Abdalla, founder of Saccharose Desserts, a homegrown dessert concept known for creations including Mango Sticky Rice and Warm Sticky Date Pudding; Rehab Al Ameri, founder of Local Foundry, a pizza concept recognised for its 38-hour fermented dough and distinctive flavour combinations; Abdulrahman Lootah, founder of One Made, which develops contemporary comfort-food concepts inspired by his interest in food and fitness; and Zainab Al Mousawi, founder of To The Moon & Back, who reinterprets Emirati ingredients and flavours through a contemporary culinary lens.
Concepts in the first phase are now available for customers to discover and order through Eatopi. The second batch will run from 2 to 30 October, followed by a third from 2 to 30 November, with details of each new cohort to be announced ahead of their respective launches.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of Dubai SME, said: “The Emirati Chef’s Table was created to give Emirati culinary entrepreneurs practical access to the expertise, platforms and market exposure needed to develop their businesses. Building on the initiative launched in 2025, this next phase expands that opportunity to 12 founders and provides them with a direct route to test their concepts and strengthen their commercial readiness. Under the guidance of visionary leadership, Dubai's food and beverage sector continues to grow with confidence, and partnerships such as this show how public and private collaboration keeps that momentum firmly on track. By creating practical pathways from concept development to customer exposure, Dubai SME is supporting national talent to build sustainable businesses that contribute to the growth of Dubai’s food and beverage sector, aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for business and leisure.”
Mohamad Ballout, CEO and Cofounder, Kitopi, said: “Some of the most exciting ideas in food are coming from homegrown entrepreneurs who understand this market and its culture. We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with Dubai SME through The Emirati Chef’s Table, giving more Emirati founders the platform, expertise and exposure to bring their concepts to life, learn directly from customers and build for long-term success.”
The Founder Series builds on the model introduced through The Emirati Chef’s Table in 2025, which combined sector-specific mentorship with market exposure for Emirati F&B entrepreneurs. The expanded 2026 programme places greater emphasis on direct operational experience and customer engagement, providing founders with the opportunity to apply what they learn through Kitopi’s platforms and network.
Through initiatives such as The Emirati Chef’s Table, Dubai SME continues to create practical opportunities for Emirati entrepreneurs to access expertise, markets and private-sector partnerships, supporting business growth and strengthening national participation across high-potential sectors of Dubai’s economy.