GEMS Education Partners with ICCA Dubai to Introduce Culinary Education
GEMS Education has partnered with the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai to introduce vocational culinary education opportunities for students and their families, helping young learners develop practical skills and explore potential careers in the food industry.
The partnership will provide access to structured culinary courses, chef-led masterclasses, events and career pathways through the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem. By combining professional culinary education with hands-on learning and family participation, the initiative aims to identify emerging talent and connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to helping students discover their interests, build confidence and develop practical capabilities that could support future careers in culinary arts and the wider food sector.
GEMS Education Expands Vocational Learning Opportunities
Through its collaboration with ICCA Dubai, GEMS Education is broadening the vocational learning opportunities available to its students beyond traditional classroom subjects.
The initiative will give students and families access to learning experiences designed to introduce culinary techniques, food culture and creative exploration. Participants will be able to engage with structured courses, live masterclasses and events while developing their skills through activities that connect learning with everyday life.
The partnership also aims to introduce students to potential career opportunities in the food industry at an early age. By allowing young learners to explore culinary arts in a structured environment, the programme seeks to help them identify their strengths and understand how their interests could develop into professional skills.
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, said the partnership would help connect education with real-world opportunities.
“Together with ICCA Dubai, we are pioneering a new approach to vocational learning that bridges education and real-world opportunity while empowering every student to pursue their passions and understand where their talents can take them. Because when we enable young people to find their strengths, we do more than educate – we give them confidence, skills, and, ultimately, the chance to shape their own future.”
The initiative highlights the potential of vocational education to complement academic learning by helping students gain practical experience and explore different professional interests.
ICCA-Foodverse Connects Students with Culinary Professionals
A central component of the partnership is the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem, which is designed to connect chefs, culinary professionals, enthusiasts and the wider food industry.
Through the platform, students and families will be able to access structured courses, live masterclasses, events and potential job pathways. The ecosystem is intended to create opportunities for participants to learn from professionals, develop culinary interests and engage with the food industry through a connected digital environment.
ICCA-Foodverse also supports the broader aim of making culinary education more accessible to people at different stages of their learning journeys. For students who are curious about food preparation, culinary creativity or hospitality careers, the platform provides an introduction to the skills and experiences associated with the sector.
The ecosystem will be supported by ICCA Live, an online broadcasting system that delivers professional chef-led masterclasses and certification-focused courses.
By combining digital learning with professional instruction, the platform aims to give participants access to culinary knowledge and learning experiences beyond conventional classroom settings.
Family Participation Brings Culinary Learning Home
Inspired by GEMS Education’s Family First movement, the programme is designed to extend beyond individual students and encourage families to participate in the learning experience.
Family involvement can give young learners opportunities to explore food, culture and creativity together. Cooking and food preparation can also provide practical settings for developing skills such as collaboration, planning, problem-solving and experimentation.
Through the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem, families will be able to engage with courses, masterclasses and related activities while discovering culinary traditions and techniques.
This approach positions culinary learning as a shared experience rather than an activity limited to formal instruction. It also reflects the partnership’s emphasis on connecting education with everyday life, allowing students to explore their interests in familiar environments.
By involving parents and other family members, the initiative aims to create a more engaging learning journey that supports curiosity and confidence from an early age.
Preparing Young Learners for Careers in the Food Industry
The partnership between GEMS Education and ICCA Dubai aims to identify and nurture budding culinary talent while helping students understand the professional possibilities within the food sector.
The food industry encompasses a broad range of career paths, including culinary arts, restaurant operations, food production, hospitality and related services. Early exposure to vocational learning can help students explore these fields and develop a clearer understanding of the skills they may wish to pursue.
Through structured courses, chef-led instruction and industry engagement, the programme seeks to provide a foundation for continued learning. Career pathways and events within the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem are also intended to connect participants with opportunities to explore the sector further.
Sunjeh Raja, Director and CEO of ICCA Dubai, said the collaboration would help open new possibilities for students.
“At ICCA Dubai, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of culinary excellence. We are delighted to team up with GEMS to forge new pathways of potential and possibilities for students from an early age through vocational education. Our partnership aligns with our ongoing efforts to identify and nurture budding culinary talent and prepare promising young chefs for sustainable careers in the UAE and beyond.”
The collaboration reflects the partners’ ambition to establish stronger foundations for vocational education during the school years, helping students connect their interests with practical learning and potential professional development.
ICCA Dubai Builds on Its Culinary Education Experience
Established in 2005, the International Centre for Culinary Arts Dubai provides professional, amateur and artisanal learning programmes in culinary arts.
According to the supplied announcement, ICCA has been featured among the world’s top 10 culinary institutes and received the Recognition of Quality Culinary Education from the World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs), an international organisation associated with culinary standards.
The centre offers a range of programmes designed for learners with different levels of experience and interests. Its focus on culinary education provides the foundation for the partnership with GEMS Education, which aims to introduce students to professional learning opportunities earlier in their educational journeys.
ICCA also aims to develop a connected learning environment that brings together culinary professionals, enthusiasts and industry participants. Through the combination of its educational experience and Foodverse’s digital platform, the organisation seeks to create opportunities for learning, collaboration and professional development.
Foodverse is described as a platform dedicated to developing people’s potential in the food industry, bringing structured courses, live masterclasses, events and job pathways together through a single application.
Connecting Education with Real-World Opportunities
The GEMS Education and ICCA Dubai partnership reflects a growing emphasis on making education practical, engaging and relevant to students’ future interests.
By introducing culinary learning through structured programmes, digital resources and professional masterclasses, the initiative aims to give students opportunities to explore a sector that combines creativity, technical knowledge and practical skills.
The involvement of families adds another dimension to the programme, extending learning into everyday experiences and encouraging shared discovery.
For GEMS Education, the collaboration broadens vocational learning opportunities available to students. For ICCA Dubai, it creates a channel to introduce culinary education and industry pathways to younger learners.
Together, the partners aim to help students recognise their strengths, develop practical capabilities and explore future possibilities in culinary arts. Through the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem, the initiative seeks to connect education, family participation and professional expertise while nurturing the next generation of culinary talent in the UAE and beyond.
Ahmed Abdul Wasey
Managing Editor, Eat ‘N Stays
Ahmed Abdul Wasey is the Managing Editor in Eat ‘N Stays, overseeing all editorial coverage of travel, hospitality, and food across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. He sets the publication’s editorial direction and reviews coverage across hotels, restaurants, tourism, cruise, and industry news before it publishes.
Have a story tip, correction, or question about our coverage? Reach Ahmed directly at pr@eatnstays.com.
