Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, one of the entities under Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, has launched a new phase of the “Emirati Chef’s Table” initiative in collaboration with Kitopi, expanding the program first introduced in 2025 and opening the door for more Emirati entrepreneurs in the culinary sector to benefit from practical expertise and direct market access.
The new phase is being introduced through the “Founders Series,” a three-month program designed to support 12 Emirati chefs and entrepreneurs by giving them practical opportunities to develop their businesses, strengthen their commercial presence, and reach a broader customer base.
“Founders Series” Expands Opportunities for Emirati Entrepreneurs
The new program builds on the success of the first cohort of the “Emirati Chef’s Table” initiative, which brought together five Emirati entrepreneurs operating in the food and beverage sector.
With the launch of the “Founders Series,” the initiative is expanding to include 12 founders across three cohorts taking place between September and November 2026, with four entrepreneurs participating in each group.
This expansion gives participants more room to test their ideas and businesses in a real commercial environment, helping them better understand customer needs, refine their products, and improve the readiness of their ventures for growth and wider market expansion.
Operational and Marketing Support Through Kitopi’s Ecosystem
Participants in the program will have the opportunity to benefit from Kitopi’s kitchens, customer base, and delivery network, giving founders a practical platform to test their products and reach consumers directly.
The support also includes professional mentorship as well as assistance with content creation and marketing, helping business owners strengthen the presence of their brands and improve the way their products are presented to the market.
A selected group of participating businesses will also have the opportunity to list their products on the “Eatopi” menu, providing founders with an additional channel to reach customers, test their offerings, and use audience feedback to continuously improve their products.
Four Emirati Founders Join the First Cohort
The first cohort runs from September 3 to October 2, 2026, and includes four Emirati founders offering a variety of culinary concepts.
Wadima Abdullah, founder of “Sacarose Desserts,” is participating with a homegrown dessert concept known for creative offerings including mango sticky rice and warm date pudding.
Also taking part is Rehab Al Ameri, founder of “Local Foundry,” a pizza concept distinguished by its 38-hour fermented dough and distinctive flavor combinations.
Abdulrahman Lootah, founder of “One Made,” is also participating in the program, developing modern takes on favorite foods inspired by his passion for food and fitness.
Zainab Al Mousawi, founder of “To the Moon and Back,” rounds out the first cohort with a concept that reimagines Emirati ingredients and flavors through a contemporary approach.
Products from the first cohort are now available for customers to order through the “Eatopi” platform, giving founders a valuable opportunity to engage directly with consumers and assess demand for their offerings.
Two New Cohorts to Launch in October and November
The second cohort of the “Founders Series” is scheduled to run from October 2 to 30, 2026, followed by the third cohort from November 2 to 30.
Details of each new cohort and its participating businesses will be announced shortly before launch, bringing further attention to a new group of promising Emirati talent in the culinary sector.
Empowering National Businesses to Expand in the Market
Commenting on the initiative, Ahmad Al Room Al Mehairi, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, said: “The Emirati Chef’s Table initiative was launched to empower Emirati entrepreneurs in the culinary sector to benefit from specialized expertise and supportive platforms, while enhancing opportunities for their businesses to expand in the market, contributing to the development of their ventures and accelerating their growth. Building on the success achieved by the initiative since its launch in 2025, the number of entrepreneurs benefiting from the new phase has been increased to 12 founders, giving them the opportunity to test their businesses in a real commercial environment and strengthen their readiness for growth and expansion.”
Al Mehairi also affirmed that, under the guidance of the wise leadership, Dubai’s food and beverage sector continues to grow, supported by effective partnerships that strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors and help sustain this momentum. By providing practical pathways that begin with business development and extend to direct engagement with the public, the Establishment supports national talent in building sustainable businesses that contribute to the sector’s growth, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to consolidate the emirate’s position as a leading global destination for business and leisure.
The expansion of the initiative reflects the Establishment’s commitment to giving Emirati entrepreneurs more diverse opportunities to move their businesses from the development stage into direct market testing, while benefiting from private-sector partnerships to build business models that are better positioned for long-term sustainability.
Kitopi: Local Ideas Have Strong Potential for Growth
Mohamad Ballout, CEO and co-founder of Kitopi, said: “Local entrepreneurs, thanks to their deep understanding of the market and its culture, bring forward many innovative ideas in the food sector. We are proud to continue our partnership with Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development through the Emirati Chef’s Table initiative, which enables more Emirati entrepreneurs to benefit from specialized expertise and gives them opportunities to reach audiences, allowing them to transform their ideas into scalable businesses, engage directly with customers and benefit from their feedback, and build sustainable ventures that can achieve long-term success.”
The partnership between the Establishment and Kitopi highlights the importance of combining local entrepreneurs’ understanding of the market with the operational expertise and infrastructure offered by specialized companies, helping promising ideas develop into more mature businesses with stronger potential for expansion.
A Practical Experience That Goes Beyond Traditional Training
The “Founders Series” builds on the model introduced by the “Emirati Chef’s Table” initiative in 2025, which combined specialized industry mentorship with support aimed at strengthening the market presence of Emirati entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector.
In its expanded 2026 edition, the program places greater emphasis on direct operational experience and customer interaction, allowing founders to apply what they learn in practice through Kitopi’s platforms and network.
This approach gives business owners practical experience in operations, marketing, and customer engagement, while also allowing them to test how well their products fit the market and make improvements based on real feedback and actual results.
Continued Support for Emirati Entrepreneurship in the Food Sector
Through initiatives such as the “Emirati Chef’s Table,” Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development continues to provide practical opportunities that help Emirati entrepreneurs access markets, benefit from specialized expertise, and build partnerships with the private sector.
To learn more about The Emirati Chef’s Table, please visit:
https://www.dubaifoundershq.com/en/resources/food-and-beverage
