Tourism chiefs in Abu Dhabi have announced that 13 hotels across the emirate have received certification as part of the Emirati Cuisine Programme, which aims to put more local food on hotel menus.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) launched the programme in December with the aim of making Emirati food more accessible to visitors and residents by training hotel chefs to prepare and serve authentic Emirati dishes.
Led by Emirati chef Khulood Atiq, the training programme delivered sessions for 13 hotels in Abu Dhabi, with 32 chefs trained and certified to serve Emirati food to guests.
The programme aims to certify all four- and five-star hotels in Abu Dhabi by the end of 2021, with the aim of expanding its reach to cover more hotels and establishments in the emirate in the near future.
The following 13 hotels have been ECP certified – Anantara Eastern Mangroves, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, Centro Al Manhal by Rotana, Al Rawda Arjan, Ayla Grand Hotel, Ayla Hotel Al Ain, Ayla Bawadi Hotel, Hili Rayhaan by Rotana, Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport, City Seasons Al Hamra, Royal Rose Hotel, Marriott Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi and the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi.
Emirati chef Khulood Atiq
The initiative was launched in late 2020 when the UAE capital was still shut to international visitors.
As part of the programme, DCT Abu Dhabi will oversee the training of hotel chefs through a series of virtual remote training videos, led by Atiq.
In December, CBRE said domestic tourism in the UAE had “exploded” as a result of the coronavirus crisis although the country still had some way to go to become a holiday haven for residents.
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