Strengthening Italy – UAE food industry ties, the 16th edition of the Italian Cuisine World Summit will bring together world-class Italian chefs, leading brands, and industry partners to celebrate authentic Italian gastronomy from November 3 – 8 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Italian Cuisine World Summit 2025 returns to the UAE this November for its 16th edition, celebrating the best of authentic Italian cuisine while driving new business collaborations and industry growth across the global food and hospitality sectors.
An international platform for Italian gastronomy excellence, the Italian Cuisine World Summit is promoted by itchefs-GVCI, a network of more than 1,500 chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary professionals working in 77 countries. Its mission is to highlight the quality, authenticity, and heritage of Italian food around the world.
Over the past 15 years, the Summit has reached international audiences with editions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and Ghana, involving over 250 Italian restaurants, 300 master chefs, and 130 Michelin-starred talents.
Taking place from November 3 to 8, 2025, this year’s Summit underscores the UAE’s growing role as a key hub for Italian food and beverage exports in the Middle East. Key venues with Italian roots across Dubai and Abu Dhabi will host an impressive program of exclusive dinners and events featuring Michelin-starred chefs at some of the UAE’s finest Italian restaurants and venues, including Belcanto at Dubai Opera, Ferrari World at Yas Island, Bussola, Brunello (Kempinski The Palm), Isola Ristorante, Chic Nonna, Il Gattopardo, Eataly at the Beach, Café Milano (Four Seasons Abu Dhabi) and others.
The Summit coincides with Gulfood Manufacturing (4 – 6 November), creating valuable opportunities for networking, brand partnerships, and market expansion in the region’s premium F&B sector.
Supported by Italian institutions, the Summit is held under the auspices of the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Italian Consulate General in Dubai, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), Confagricoltura, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UAE (IICUAE). These institutions work together to promote Italian food excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth abroad.
The 2025 edition is supported by leading companies that represent the strength of Italy’s food and beverage industry, including:
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HUBIT, distributor of premium Italian products, featuring Vallespluga ground-raised cockerels and Bella Lodi cheese. They will also introduce Raspadura, a very spectacular of serving cheese in Dubai.
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MMI, presenting a selection of Italy’s finest wineries including Alois Lageder, Barone Ricasoli, Fontanafredda, Marchesi Antinori, Ruffino, and Planeta.
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AVION Company, the recommended logistics partner and sponsor of the Summit, is celebrating its 30th anniversary at the Summit Grand Gala on November 4 at Belcanto, Dubai Opera.
Additional partners include Adamas Caviar, Casinetto, Classic Fine Foods, and Country Hill International, alongside new Italian entrants EMME GEL (Tuscany) and Rete di Imprese Emilia-Romagna Mercati, both debuting in the UAE and GCC markets.
Technical partners Prima Classe, Musoni Consulting, and Marcopolo Experience support event production, led by Argos Star Event Management LLC (Dubai).
More than a culinary event, the Italian Cuisine World Summit serves as a bridge between Italy and the UAE – connecting tradition with innovation, and producers with new markets. It promotes trade, collaboration, and cultural exchange while reinforcing Italy’s position as a global leader in food excellence and hospitality.
From November 4 to 8, the Emirates will host an extraordinary roster of dinners and experiences:
- Bussola from November 5–7: Chef Marco Legittimo hosting Massimo Spigaroli (1*) + November 8: hosting Daniele Lippi (2*), Giorgio Servetto (1*), and Ciro Sicignano (1*)
- Brunello, Kempinski The Palm from November 5–7: Chef Lorenzo Luku hosting Raffaele de Mase (1*)
- Chic Nonna from November 5–6: Chef Francesco Torcasio hosting Bobo Cerea (3*)
- Cucina, Marriott Resort The Palm from November 5–6: hosting Francesco Stara (1*)
- Il Gattopardo from November 5–7: Chef Massimo Pasquarelli hosting Lorenzo Montoro (1*)
- Eataly at the Beach from November 5–7: Chef David Ruocco hosting Massimiliano Musso (1*)
- Isola Ristorante from November 5–7: Chef Francesco Bagnato hosting Giorgio Servetto (1*)
- Mamabella from November 5–7: Chef Alessandro Miceli hosting Maria Grazia Soncini (1*)
- Trattoria from November 5–7: Chef Omar El Ajmi hosting Marco Bernardo (1*)
- Café Milano, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi from November 5–7: Chef Delfino San Filippo hosting Alessandro Tormolino (1*)
- Gran Tour Emilia, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi from November 5–8: Chef Stefano De Costanzo hosting Mirko Marcelli (1*)
- Villa Toscana, St Regis Hotel Abu Dhabi from November 5–6: Chef Vittorio Nania hosting Gianni Bertone (1*) and Nicola Somma (1*) + November 7 hosting Bobo Cerea (3*)
The 16th Italian Cuisine World Summit is produced by Argos Star Event Management and will run from November 3 to 8, 2025, opening with the gala at Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, followed by the grand gala at Belcanto, Dubai Opera.
