A Historic Milestone for UAE Gastronomy
The UAE culinary scene reached a significant milestone with the hosting of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie UAE National Selections 2026 and, for the very first time, the Bocuse d'Or UAE. These prestigious competitions highlighted the exceptional talent, creativity, and ambition driving the country's gastronomic landscape and reaffirmed the UAE's growing position on the global culinary stage.
As a proud partner of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie UAE National Selections 2026, Valrhona was honoured to support and celebrate the pastry professionals who continue to elevate standards of craftsmanship and innovation across the region.
This year's pastry competition challenged candidates to reinterpret tradition while embracing contemporary creativity.
The Chocolate category invited chefs to showcase the versatility and expressive power of chocolate through two complementary challenges: the creation of an artistic chocolate piece and the development of an innovative street food dessert. The category featured remarkable performances from Abderrahim Ait Ahmed, Gaurav Khurana, and Praveen Kumar, each demonstrating exceptional skill and creativity. Gaurav Khurana was ultimately named the Chocolate Category Winner.
In the Sugar category, chefs revisited the iconic Paris-Brest, reimagining one of France's most beloved pastries through their own unique perspectives and technical mastery, alongside their artistic creation made . The % with sugar. The category brought together two outstanding candidates: Jacob Lovelace and Rene Cerda, with Rene Cerda earning the title of Sugar Category Winner.
The inaugural Bocuse d'Or UAE also marked a defining moment in the country's culinary journey. The competition brought together two highly talented chefs, Maitha Al Warshaw and Alhassan Alfalasi, whose dedication and expertise reflected the depth of culinary talent emerging from the UAE. Alhassan Alfalasi was named the winner and will go on to represent the nation on the international stage.
The winners of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie UAE National Selections and the Bocuse d'Or UAE will now proudly represent the UAE at the upcoming continental selections in Riyadh.
Beyond the results, these competitions celebrated the passion and determination of every participant. Throughout the event, the message from the esteemed jury and committee remained clear: every creation should carry identity, emotion, and purpose. Representing the UAE on the world stage is not only an honour but also an opportunity to showcase the country's unique culinary voice and its rapidly evolving gastronomic culture.
Congratulations to all the candidates for their remarkable achievements and commitment to excellence. Their talent and creativity are shaping an exciting future for UAE gastronomy—one that has never looked brighter.
