Dubai, UAE — The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) Wednesday announced a new $100 million Culinary Investment Fund that will help introduce iconic brands to the UAE capital.
DCT said in a statement that the fund will support building and establishing a Culinary School to aid with recruitment, training, and other staffing resources in the sector. The school will offer an established core curriculum and introduce two new degree programs that focus on maritime sustainability and food security.
The first two recipients of the new Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund would be announced in the coming months.
The main requisites for successful fund applicants are brands or chefs recognized by leading awards committees and global culinary guides, with a multi-regional presence – operating in more than one country.
Applicants should offer a premium casual, lifestyle, or fine dining experience, without yet having an existing presence in the region and would be making their debut in Abu Dhabi – with one-year of exclusivity to the emirate.
The newly launched, Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund (ADCIF), is an incentive for world-class culinary brands to enter the emirate and will further elevate the culinary scene by co-investing with local asset partners and incentivizing top chefs, top restaurants, and culinary educational institutions, to enter the market and make Abu Dhabi their new home, the statement reads.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “The Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund is part of our ongoing commitment to elevate the culinary scene across the emirate and create new dining experiences. There is no better time or place to bring best-in-class chefs, restaurants, and hotel brands to the capital.”