Since 1974, Lesaffre has built the world’s first international network of Baking Centers™, designed to bring technical expertise and innovation closer to the baking industry. In Dubai, Lesaffre’s Baking Center™ stands as a hub of creativity and co-development, serving the dynamic needs of bakers across the Middle East.
Core mission of the Baking Center™ in Dubai
The core mission of the Dubai Baking Center™ is to support bakers by co-developing solutions that enhance quality and performance. Moreover, the center focuses on adapting advanced technologies to regional markets while considering local preferences, climate and consumer expectations. As part of Lesaffre’s global network of over 50 Baking Centers™, Dubai’s team works collaboratively to exchange knowledge and anticipate trends. Consequently, they play an active role in transferring innovation, promoting cross-border cooperation and introducing fresh techniques to regional baking industries. Thus, by bridging global R&D with local needs, the center empowers bakers, from artisans to industrial producers, to optimize processes and reformulate recipes effectively.
The Baking Center™’s top innovations
Over the past few years, the Dubai Baking Center™ has steadily emerged as a hub for regional adaptations and technical innovations. Consequently, it has delivered tailored industrial solutions specifically crafted to meet unique local taste profiles and regional consumer flavor preferences. In addition, the center developed improved shelf-life formulations designed to withstand high temperatures and humidity typical of Middle Eastern environments. Furthermore, it introduced customized blends and mixes using native flour and grains, supporting sustainable sourcing and regional agricultural identity. It also launched product prototypes catering to health-focused trends, including multigrain premixes, salt reducers and Vitamin D-enriched yeast. Finally, a standout innovation, Saf-instant Flex, offers industrial bakers superior consistency, flexibility and reliable performance under intense and demanding production conditions.
These innovations are tested, validated and finetuned on-site, with clients involved in every step.
Co-development of solutions
Working closely with local clients remains at the heart of everything the Dubai Baking Center™ team passionately and consistently strives to achieve. As a result, the center regularly hosts collaborative workshops where professionals test baking ideas using advanced tools and expert technical guidance. Whether developing new products or refining processes, the team always embraces a practical, hands-on approach rooted in shared learning and innovation. To begin with, each project starts by understanding the client’s needs, followed by customized adjustments in ingredients, methods and technical direction. In many situations, the team further enhances value by offering on-site support, ensuring solutions align with specific production setups and operational constraints.
Emerging baking trends in the Middle East
The Middle East region is filled with dynamic energy and transformation, prompting the Baking Center™ team to closely monitor emerging trends. At present, their focus includes health-driven recipes featuring fiber-rich, vitamin-enriched, and reduced-sugar formulations for today’s increasingly wellness-conscious consumers. In addition, premiumization is gaining ground, as customers now favor clean-label ingredients and artisanal textures that elevate baked goods every day. Meanwhile, fusion trends continue to grow, blending regional heritage with global flavors to create unique and culturally relevant baking experiences. Moreover, the demand for convenience is rising, pushing innovation in ready-to-bake solutions and extended shelf-life for retail and foodservice operations. Thanks to consistent market immersion and client feedback, the Dubai team ensures all innovations remain timely, forward-thinking and commercially valuable.
The Baking Center™’s sustainability initiatives
Beyond product innovation, the Baking Center™ also serves as a daily workspace where sustainability is seamlessly integrated into everyday practices. In this context, the team actively reduces food waste by enhancing shelf-life and improving fermentation control across baking trials and prototypes. Moreover, they work on optimizing both energy and water usage during testing phases and simulated production environments to minimize environmental impact. In parallel, they promote clean-label recipes that prioritize natural fermentation methods over chemical additives and eliminate unnecessary preservatives entirely. Additionally, food safety remains essential, with full regulatory compliance, transparency, and a strong focus on meeting global food security demands. Ultimately, these efforts align with Lesaffre’s core mission to nourish and protect the planet through sustainable, responsible and innovative baking solutions. Importantly, the team views sustainability not as an isolated effort, but as a fundamental principle guiding every step of their operations.
Lesaffre’s Baking Center™’s Team
At the heart of the Dubai Baking Center™ is a passionate team of baking experts who combine deep knowledge, curiosity and innovation. Their hands-on expertise, ongoing learning, and seamless collaboration across borders have earned them a trusted reputation across the Middle East baking industry.
Driven by local insight and global strength, the team embodies the core values of the Baking Center™, adaptability, technical excellence and an unwavering commitment to quality.
To elevate your baking capabilities with tailored solutions, expert advice and innovative approaches designed for regional success, connect with chef Pascal Neau, manager of the Dubai Baking Center™ and his talented team. Abdelbasset Ebrahim focuses on the Saudi Arabian market, while Andrew Alexander leads initiatives across the GCC region.
linkedin.com/in/pascal-n-275a1439
