Source : WAM
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), which operates under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has entered into a partnership with on-demand delivery platform talabat to introduce The Emirati Chef’s Table Plus, powered by talabat grow.
Building on the existing Emirati Chef’s Table initiative which focuses on discovering, mentoring, and promoting Emirati culinary talent the talabat grow programme introduces a structured, long-term growth framework designed to help Emirati-owned restaurants scale sustainably within Dubai’s highly competitive food and hospitality sector.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Dubai SME, and Toon Gyssels, Chief Executive Officer of talabat, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit (WGS), held in Dubai at Madinat Jumeirah through February 5.
The initiative underscores Dubai’s commitment to advancing the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033 and position Dubai as the world’s fastest-growing and most attractive hub for SMEs and local champions. This will be achieved by empowering Emirati entrepreneurs, supporting sustainable business growth, and developing talent within the food and beverage sector.
Spanning 12 months, the programme will support a select group of high-potential, locally owned Emirati restaurants through intensive training, customised commercial enablement, and continuous one-to-one mentorship. It will begin with a six-week bootcamp, followed by ongoing advisory and performance optimisation support delivered through talabat grow, talabat’s small business enablement platform.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, said, “The Emirati Chef’s Table initiative was designed to identify and nurture national culinary talent by connecting creativity with real market opportunity. The Emirati Chef’s Table Plus builds on this foundation by introducing a structured growth pathway that focuses on commercial readiness, operational strength, and long-term sustainability. Through this strategic partnership with talabat, we are enabling Emirati-owned restaurants to scale with confidence, strengthen their competitiveness, and play a lasting role in Dubai’s food and hospitality ecosystem.”
Toon Gyssels, CEO at talabat, stated, “Small, locally owned restaurants are a vital part of Dubai’s food landscape and SME economy. Through Emirati Chef’s Table Plus, we are working alongside Dubai SME to move beyond short-term exposure and focus on long-term capability building – supporting Emirati restaurant owners with the tools, insights, and confidence needed to grow in an increasingly competitive environment.”
At its core, the talabat grow programme is training-driven, with a strong emphasis on operational excellence, data-led decision-making, performance optimisation, and effective use of digital and platform tools. Participating businesses will also gain increased visibility, structured commercial support, and dedicated guidance aimed at strengthening long-term resilience and growth.
The Emirati Chef’s Table Plus initiative aligns with Dubai SME’s wider mission to support entrepreneurship, strengthen priority sectors, and advance the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, by embedding national talent in high-growth industries and enabling the next generation of Emirati businesses to scale sustainably.
