FOUR OUTSTANDING FEMALE CHEFS PREPARE EMIRATI WOMEN’S DAY

An invitation-only dinner was held at Fi’lia to celebrate and inspire Emirati Women on their special day

Fi’lia, Dubai’s first female-led restaurant honors the Emirati woman on Emirati Women’s Day, highlighting their contribution, success, and innovation to the country and the Arab world. A beautiful lineup of empowering and inspirational female UAE-based chefs came together to create one tantalizing menu, pouring their unique perspectives into a sustainable five-course meal reflecting their respective cooking styles, while complementing the much-loved Italian and Mediterranean cuisines at the multiple award-winning Fi’lia.

The all-female restaurant soaring 70 floors up at SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences with 360-degree panoramic views, was a brilliant convenience to attest to Emirati women's multiple milestones and limitless potential over the years.

The restaurant partnered with acclaimed chefs from the region, Aysha AlObeidli, the youngest Emirati award-winning chef, Eva Halaseh from the popular Three by Eva, and Zahra Abdalla, synonymous with her homegrown food label Zahra’s Kitchen. The dinner was hosted by Fi’lia’s worldwide head chef, Chef Sara Aqel, a powerhouse of inspiration and ideas of all things female and food.

The dinner was a perfect amalgamation of flavors and tastes, with women of all ages and walks of life united with one aim, to empower and support one another. The night’s celebratory menu was created with sustainability at heart using many locally sourced ingredients, with many repurposed in the decadent 5-course meal in line with this year’s theme for the 2022 Emirati Women’s Day: "Inspiring Reality.. Sustainable Future.” Shared by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).

Reminiscing about the beautiful night, Fi’lia’s Chef Sara Aqel said, “The restaurant's name takes after the word daughter, a perfect fit for the night, and the inspiration of our Italian-Mediterranean are recipes passed down from generations of women, to perfectly celebrate women on this auspicious occasion. It was incredibly moving to witness and be part of a female group of chefs coming together, and fusing their cooking style with that of Fi’lia’s to create new unique flavors for women to enjoy together in celebration of other women. It was also beautiful to see many of the industry's most prominent women celebrate the grace and success of Emirati women's achievements. I am grateful and humbled for the opportunity to share our efforts together with these accomplished women.”

A number of distinguished personalities attended the gathering, including women from the fashion, music, travel, business, and arts (literature) sectors. Some of the attendees included key Emirati and other members of society and influencers:

-       Aida Al Busaidy - Senior Advisor at Dubai Economy & Tourism.

-       Salma Al Baloushi - Etihad's first female Emirati pilot.

-       Recognized entrepreneurs Ghizlan Guenez and Omaira Al Olama

-       Influential names such as Layla Kardan, Valia Taha, Shirine Zaatari, Aishwariya Ajit, and Kuwaiti influencer Fatema Al Alawadhi.

Some of the celebratory menu dishes:

Amuse-bouche by:

Chef Aysha - Bruschetta with local honey and stracciatella.

Starters by:

Chef Sara - Cavolo Tropicale

Chef Eva: Feta Brule

Chef Zahra: Beetroot kibbeh

Mains:

Chef Sara & Chef Eva: Musakhan on a pizza dough

Chef Zahra: Braised lamb ragu with pappardelle pasta

Caccioco, an Italian fish stew

And a decadent selection of desserts such as olive oil sorbet, mango saffron garden and Iraqi tea.

The evening theme, attendees, and overall energy brought on a deep sense of empowerment to all women, who were there to celebrate other women and support each other’s achievements while striving to keep improving and continue to inspire future generations. The night which celebrated the contribution of Emirati women was a testament to the statement issued by Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai for the women of the UAE, “Women are the soul and spirit of the country. We have high hopes for them. They have a bright future ahead.”

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