UAE: An Abu Dhabi chef's culinary institute with 21 Michelin stars is set to open.

One of the most well-known and popular chefs in the world, Alain Ducasse, founded the internationally acclaimed French culinary school Ecole Ducasse, which will build a new location in Abu Dhabi.

Ecole Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio will open in December thanks to a collaboration between Erth Hospitality and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT - Abu Dhabi).

Ecole Ducasse is a renowned culinary school globally recognized for its exceptional teaching of pastry and culinary arts. Chef Alain Ducasse, who has 21 Michelin stars, launched it in 1999. Since then, he has founded prestigious institutes in Thailand, France, India, and the Philippines.

The Ecole Ducasse facility in Abu Dhabi will be the first of its kind in the region. Ecole Ducasse is currently a member of Sommet Education, a well-known global network of culinary arts and hospitality management institutions.

The Cultural Foundation will be the studio's address. Professional, brief sessions will be given in a modern, welcoming environment with user-friendly equipment. The studio will provide seminars and programs for people of all skill levels, from budding chefs to gifted artists seeking to expand their repertoires. Located on 418 square meters, the carefully planned institute will be housed within the historic Qasr Al Hosn location. The studio has a huge outdoor patio with views of the Abu Dhabi skyline, a fully functional workshop show kitchen, a custom chef's table, and ample classroom space. Each class will consist of a limited number of students providing one-on-one assistance.

"The opening of Ecole Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio in the capital of the United Arab Emirates would revolutionize the food business and significantly boost the expansion of the hotel sector in the area. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT - Abu Dhabi, stated, "We hope to make a lasting impact on the culinary scene in Abu Dhabi and beyond by fostering local talent and fostering creativity and innovation."

The announcement comes after the introduction of the more than Dh360 million Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund, which was revealed earlier this year and intends to support Abu Dhabi's growth as a culinary powerhouse by bringing top brands to the UAE capital over a five-year period.

The official license partner of Ecole Ducasse will be Erth Hospitality.

"Ecole Ducasse is a symbol of world-class cooking, and its opening in Abu Dhabi marks a significant achievement," stated Shaikha Al Kaabi, CEO of Erth Hospitality. "This partnership reaffirms Abu Dhabi's status as a burgeoning culinary hub, ready to host and inspire talents from Emiratis and beyond, and solidifies our commitment to fostering culinary brilliance."

Sommet Education has partnered with the Boutique Group, a hotel organization that is entirely owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, in addition to Ecole Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio.

Three key areas will be the emphasis of the partnership between Sommet Education and Boutique Group: internships, recruitment, and training initiatives.

"We are excited about our collaboration with novel pioneers, Boutique Group, as it enhances our potential to revolutionize the way hospitality professionals are developed," stated Benoit-Etienne Domenget, CEO of Sommet Education. We inspire generations of leaders to reach new heights of greatness by combining our recognized skills into cooperative programs.

The managing director of École Ducasse, Elise Masurel de Laval, continued, saying, "We are thrilled to contribute to enhancing the local culinary scene and fostering the growth of culinary talents with the launch of École Ducasse Studio in Abu Dhabi, which is a great milestone for us in the Middle East region."

Abu Dhabi, a cultural melting pot, offers the institute the perfect place to call home. It welcomes talent from all over the world and fosters a nurturing environment for creativity as well as the room to explore new culinary trends.