An evening of new connections at Dukes The Palm
On 18 February, over 50 professionals from the UAE food and hospitality sector gathered at Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel in Dubai for an exclusive showroom dedicated to European lamb and goat meat.
The goal was to create a relaxed and engaging environment where chefs, F&B managers, importers and distributors could discover the quality, versatility, and values behind these European products. With live cooking, informal networking, and direct exchanges between guests and organisers, the evening offered a unique opportunity to experience the campaign messages first-hand.
A chef from Madrid, cooking live in Dubai
The culinary part of the event was led by Chef Roberto Martínez, head chef at Tripea, a well-known restaurant in Madrid’s Vallehermoso Market. For this occasion, he focused on two traditional Spanish dishes using European lamb:
- Lamb al chilindrón, a rich stew with tomato and paprika.
- Grilled lamb cutlets, served hot as finger food.
All dishes were prepared on-site in the hotel’s kitchen, adding an interactive, real-time element to the tasting experience.
Talking about quality and values
Alongside the tasting, Beatriz Casares from INTEROVIC gave a short presentation on the values behind European lamb and goat meat. She explained how the sector works to meet high sustainability standards, ensures traceability, and aligns with halal certification processes—building trust with consumers in the UAE.
The event also highlighted how European lamb fits easily into local and international cuisine, from traditional Emirati dishes to modern, high-end menus.
A stronger presence in the UAE market
The UAE is a key destination for premium food products, and interest in high-quality, halal-certified meat continues to grow. This event provided a space to introduce European lamb and goat to local professionals, highlight its production standards, and explore new business opportunities in the region.
Promotion programme to inform about the European Lamb and Goat sector
EXCLUSIVE LAMB & GOAT FROM EUROPE is a three-year promotion campaign supported by the European Commission and launched by two national lamb and goat associations with the main goal of raising awareness among sector professionals and consumers about the qualities of the European lamb and goat sectors.
Find more information about the project here: https://exclusivelambandgoat.eu/