Chef Middle East is celebrating its 30th anniversary with two major milestones: the expansion of its regional warehouse and the launch of Epicure Studio. The state-of-the-art, two-story culinary innovation hub in Dubai is designed to inspire chefs, partners and food lovers alike.
30 years, 30 tastemakers: Epicure Studio unites the region’s finest
Epicure Studio came to life through 30 top UAE culinary and mixology talents from acclaimed regional venues. The launch event featured live demos by Reif Othman, Daniel Birk and Grégoire Berger, who captivated the audience with their signature techniques.
In addition, exquisite pastry and bakery creations were presented by Alexandre Thabard and Dylan Diaz, while innovative zero-proof cocktails were crafted by Zahra Erfanian and international guest Matthias Giroud.
Giroud’s “Tree of Life” journey blended storytelling and mixology beautifully, creating an unforgettable highlight that resonated with every attendee.
Steve Pyle, CEO of Chef Middle East, voiced his passion for the new venture. He said, “Epicure Studio is more than a venue, it’s the embodiment of our commitment to inspire, collaborate and innovate. From doubling our storage capabilities to creating Dubai’s premier chef playground, we’re setting a new benchmark for the foodservice industry. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved with our team and partners”
An industry celebration like no other
Over two exciting days, more than 300 industry leaders gathered to celebrate Chef ME’s 30th anniversary and unveil Epicure Studio.
Commenting on the event, Hadrien Villedieu, chef founder and co-owner of Chez Wam, said: “Being part of the Epicure Studio launch was an incredible experience. The facility is truly next-level — unlike anything I’ve seen in the region. I’m proud to be part of the Chef Middle East family and to contribute to such a visionary initiative.”
Trisha Henault, pastry chef at Five LUX, added: “It was an honor to be part of the Epicure Studio launch. Creating and sharing my desserts in such an inspiring space, alongside talented peers, made it even more special. Chef ME has created a truly one-of-a-kind platform that nurtures creativity and supports chefs like no other.”
Warehouse expansion: Doubling the capacity
Moreover, Chef Middle East unveiled its phase two warehouse expansion, adding 5,000 sqm and higher ceilings to dramatically boost storage capacity. As a result, pallet positions increased from 8,500 to over 19,000, more than doubling storage space to meet rising demand. This strategic upgrade, furthermore, enhances order fulfilment speed, enabling more efficient operations across the company’s expanding regional logistics and distribution network. In addition, it strengthens overall supply chain resilience, ensuring product availability, consistency, and service reliability throughout market fluctuations and customer demands. The investment reflects Chef ME’s commitment to growth, particularly in e-commerce, while reinforcing its leadership in the regional foodservice industry.
Hussam Swaidan, head of operations at Chef Middle East, stressed the importance of this expansion, stating: “By more than doubling our storage capability and leveraging smarter racking solutions, we’ve fortified Chef ME’s supply chain. This investment means greater product variety, faster order turnaround and stronger foundation to support our chefs and partners across the region.”
Epicure Studio is now open for rental inquiries.
chefmiddleeast.com
