ICCA Dubai - THE SUPER 60 PROGRAM - Application

EMPOWERING UAE’S YOUNG INDUSTRY CHEFS Making Lives Happen... APPLICATION FORM CLASS OF 2026 - 27

"The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it." — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Dubai is a city of dreams and bold beginnings, where you come to rewrite your story. Where you come from should never define how far you go. It all starts with a dream, an unshakable faith, and about rising beyond the limits.

The ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Program – One Million Dirhams Continuing Education Award for the UAE Young Industry Chefs is a first-of-its-kind initiative by the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA Dubai), delivered in strategic partnership with the Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG), City & Guilds, London, and Worldchefs. We are proud to share that this impactful “Making Lives Happen” initiative has reached yet another significant milestone, marking nine consecutive years of transforming culinary careers across the UAE. To date, 300+ young industry chefs have been professionally trained and empowered with internationally recognised culinary qualifications, representing an education investment exceeding USD 2.5 million. Beyond qualifications, the scholarship program is designed to create meaningful, long-term impact—uplifting deserving talent while simultaneously strengthening the industry with a future-ready, skilled workforce aligned with evolving global standards and the Government of Dubai’s vision for a knowledge & skills-based economy. We are delighted with the outcomes achieved by our scholarship graduates. Many have demonstrated exceptional improvement in workplace performance, earned promotions, and progressed confidently along leadership pathways within their organisations. As we continue this life-changing initiative, we are pleased to invite applications for the 10th ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Program 2026–27. We encourage you to participate in this unique education–industry engagement by nominating a talented, deserving, and financially underprivileged young chef from your organisation. Dear Culinary Directors, Executive Chefs, Head Chefs, and Human Resources / Training & Development Managers,

Selected candidates will undergo the intensive ICCA Dubai Diploma in Advanced Culinary Arts – Cookery or Baking & Patisserie, accredited by City & Guilds, UK: Level 2 IVQ – Diploma in Food Preparation and Culinary Arts – Food Preparation (8064-01) Level 2 IVQ – Diploma in Food Preparation and Culinary Arts – Patisserie (8064-02) The Program Attendance Attestation is done by KHDA, and graduates are eligible for the prestigious Worldchefs Certified Professional Cook credential under the Worldchefs Global Certification Scheme. We remain committed to keeping this initiative a reality and invite you to join us in making a meaningful difference. True reward comes from empowering lives and shaping the future of our industry. Together, let’s make lives happen… Yours sincerely, Sunjeh Raja Director / CEO December 13, 2025

The objective of this Innovative Education–Industry Training Initiative is to annually train, support, and empower approximately 30 talented and deserving, yet financially underprivileged young chefs working within the UAE hospitality industry, through an Annual Continuing Education Award. The program will be delivered over a 52-week period as a Day Release Course, with structured training conducted at ICCA Dubai’s state-of-the-art, purpose-built, and awardwinning training kitchen facilities. This format ensures minimal disruption to workplace commitments while enabling intensive professional development. Norms for Candidate Selection & Industry Commitment to the Program: ICCA DUBAI CULINARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM a. Selection of Candidates Candidates will be selected by the ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Selection Panel from across the UAE hospitality industry, based on the following eligibility norms and selection criteria: Industry Status & Age - Applicants must be young chefs currently employed in the UAE hospitality industry, and below 30 years of age at the time of application. Merit & Financial Need - Candidates should be talented, committed, genuinely deserving, and demonstrate strong potential for professional growth, while being financially underprivileged. All candidates must be formally nominated by their Executive Chef. Communication Skills - Applicants must possess good communication skills, with the ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently. Professional Experience - Candidates should have a minimum of three (3) years of work experience as a Commis Chef, preferably with exposure across multiple kitchen sections. Documentation & Endorsements - Applicants must submit all required supporting credentials and professional recommendations, as specified in the application guidelines. Selection Interview - Shortlisted candidates must successfully complete a personal interview with the ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Selection Panel for final selection.

ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Selection Panel: A selection panel constituting of the following members will oversee the selection and execution of the ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Program - Chef Andy Cuthbert President, Worldchefs; General Manager, Jumeirah Emirates Towers & Madinat Jumeirah Conference and Events Mr Sunjeh Raja Director & CEO, ICCA Dubai Chef Uwe Micheel, Assistant Vice President, Worldchefs Chairman, Finance Committee, Worldchefs Ms Shanaaz Raja Director of Programs, ICCA Dubai b. Industry Commitment As part of the ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Program, the ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Selection Panel will require a formal written commitment from the candidate’s employer, confirming their support for the employee enrolled in the program. Participating organisations are expected to commit to the following: Training Release - Commit to releasing the selected candidate for one (1) full day per week to attend the Day Release Training Program. This training day will be in addition to the candidate’s regular weekly day off. Conveyance Support - Provide a basic conveyance allowance to the candidate for the entire duration of the program, to support attendance and continuity. Attendance & Leave Management - Ensure that the candidate attends the program regularly and consistently, and is not granted annual leave during the training period, except under exceptional circumstances, to enable successful completion of the program.

NOT JUST A CSR... A TANGIBLE INITIATIVE TO CHANGE LIVES WITH A WORLD CLASS TRAINING FOR A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES. Award Winning Training and Facility Training at ICCA Dubai's purpose built, state of the art and world-class, award-winning training kitchen facility with top of the line equipment, cutting edge technology, Qualified Chef instructors and proven training systems. City & Guilds, UK, Qualification Qualification awarded by City & Guilds, UK, the world’s largest awarding body. Established in 1878, City & Guilds certifies more than 2 million students annually the world over. Courses approved / accredited by City & Guilds, UK, are recognised as a sign of quality and standards in more than 100 countries around the world. World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs), Recognised The graduates of the program will be eligible for the ‘Worldchefs Certified Professional Cook’, under the Worldchefs Global Certification Scheme. ICCA Dubai is a recepient of Worldchefs’ “Recognition of Quality Culinary Education” award, a credit that indicates that the training and education provided at ICCA Dubai meets or exceeds the standards of culinary education established by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs), a network of more than 100 global chefs’ associations, representing 10+ million professional chefs worldwide. Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Recognised All programs offered by ICCA Dubai are recognised by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) of the Dubai Government, and delivered under its Educational Service Permit. The KHDA is the main government body that oversees the quality of training and education in Dubai, with the goal of creating a high-quality education sector that is focused on happiness and well-being.

OR 1. Application Form - Duly filled and Signed 2. Passport Copy with Visa page 3. CV and Copies of all Educational & training Certificate 4. Letters of Reference and recommendation from your Executive Chef / Chef In-Charge. Email the following documents to - [email protected] Click here to fill Online Application / Scan the QR Code Important Dates Last Date for Submission of Application - Monday, January 26, 2026 Date for Selection Interviews - Saturday, February 07, 2026, 09.00 AM - 04.00 PM Program Start Date - Monday, March 30, 2026 Emirates Culinary Guild - Industry Chef Support The Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG) is the Worldchefs endorsed association of professional chefs in the UAE. It is a non-profit-making organisation dedicated for the advancement of the culinary industry in the country and stages several national and international events, and competitions, annually. Supported by the ECG, Who's Who from the UAE & International Hospitality industry, are invited to support the initiative as Guest Trainers to help enrich the students with Industry Knowledge & best practices. ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Program - Application for 2026 - 27 Candidates from the UAE Hospitality Industry - Hotels, Restaurants and Food Production Companies, who qualify and are interested to join the program, are required to fill in the online application form along with supporting documents.

SOME OF THE INDUSTRY BRANDS THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE ICCA DUBAI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

CREATING IMPACT. SHAPING FUTURES. DRIVING SUCCESS... VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WITH A STRONG INDUSTRY FOCUS— PREPARING A SKILLED WORKFORCE READY TO LEAD TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE.

CHEF ANDY CUTHBERT President, Worldchefs; General Manager, Jumeirah Emirates Towers & Madinat Jumeirah Conference and Events

EMPOWERING THE YOUNG CHEFS… THE ICCA DUBAI CULINARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, THE ONE MILLION DIRHAMS CONTINUING EDUCATION AWARD FOR THE UAE YOUNG INDUSTRY CHEFS IS THE REALIZATION OF A CAREER-LONG DREAM AND A LONG-CHERISHED GOAL OF MYSELF, ANDY CUTHBERT TOGETHER WITH SUNJEH RAJA, AND THIS YEAR WE WILL CELEBRATE THE GRADUATION OF THE NINTH CONSECUTIVE BATCH OF THIS EMPOWERMENTTHROUGH-LEARNING INITIATIVE THAT STARTED IN 2015. Over the last nine years, this Scholarship Program for Young Industry Chefs has educated, trained, and certified talented, deserving, but financially underprivileged young chefs in the UAE hospitality industry through hands-on training and mentoring. Along the way, we have been able to empower Young Industry Chefs by inculcating in them the true sense of passion, commitment, and confidence required to enhance the quality of their output in their work environment. As the ninth edition, the Class of 2025, has completed its journey, we increasingly recognize the importance of encouraging many more, as it is not just about changing the outlook and improving the confidence of young, deserving chefs but also about uplifting them and supporting the industry at large…

In 2005, we began with a simple yet powerful vision - to change lives through a Culinary Education that mattered. We believed, and still do, that success in this industry is not defined by certificates alone, but by showing up every day, staying consistent, and performing at a professional standard, not once, but every single time you step into the kitchen. That belief became the foundation for ICCA and everything it has grown to become. In TVET, we saw the future of culinary education not in theory-heavy classrooms, but in hands-on, immersive learning that mirrors the realities of the professional kitchen. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) became our foundation, and over the years, it proved to be exactly what the industry needed education that works. While one of us focused on the vision, the other worked tirelessly to shape the programs that would bring it to life—structured, application-focused, and outcome-driven courses that have guided thousands of students toward successful, meaningful careers. Today, two decades later, what started as a small initiative has grown into a globally recognized institution, homegrown in the UAE for the world. We have trained over 12,000 chefs, worked with many of the world’s top hospitality brands, and built a reputation for quality, consistency, and impact; not because we followed trends, but because we stayed true to the values we began with. A bold idea that has now become a proven model - we have stayed true to what we set out to do, deliver application-focused, outcome-driven education that helps people make their passion into a profession. Every time a student walks into our training kitchens with a dream, we are reminded of why we started. And every time they walk out with confidence and clarity, we know the journey is worth it. ICCA is more than a school; it is where possibilities begin and making lives happen Writing The Next Chapter: ICCA and the Foodverse From the beginning, ICCA was built to bridge the gap between learning and the real world – to move away from passive instruction and bring in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) that was hands-on, structured, and outcome-driven. Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of students build careers with purpose, confidence, and real kitchen-readiness. But the world is changing. And the way we learn, connect, and grow is evolving too. Today, success in the food industry requires visibility, adaptability, access to the right networks, and the ability to keep growing long-term. That’s why we’ve created the Foodverse, the next step in ICCA’s journey, and a new space built for the future of culinary. Foodverse is the world’s first holistic digital ecosystem dedicated to harnessing the potential of people and the industry in food. Foodverse is a super app that connects, enables, and empowers chefs, enthusiasts, and industry professionals to seamlessly collaborate, share knowledge, foster learning, and find opportunities. As we guide students and professionals to embrace emerging technology to optimize culinary education, professional workflows, and think critically on how new trends can help enhance, not replace, the human touch in food. To this extent, we believe in building a mindset that adapts, collaborates, and leads in a world shaped by change, as change is the only constant… OUR STORY TVET IN CULINARY ARTS

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