Dubai’s dessert scene is preparing for an international showcase as Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie returns to the city from 30 November to 2 December 2026.
The three-day exhibition will take over Madinat Arena at Madinat Jumeirah, bringing pastry chefs, chocolatiers, coffee specialists, hospitality professionals and chocolate enthusiasts together under one roof.
According to the official Salon du Chocolat Dubai website, more than 120 exhibitors are expected to participate. Visitors can anticipate a programme combining live pastry demonstrations, chocolate fashion, professional competitions, industry talks and opportunities to discover new products.
The 2026 programme is expected to feature 26 chefs and 14 chocolate couture creations. Antonio Bachour leads the announced chef roster alongside senior pastry professionals from luxury hotels, independent pâtisseries, specialist chocolate businesses and culinary consultancies.
Salon du Chocolat Dubai 2026 Dates and Venue
Salon du Chocolat Dubai 2026 will run from Monday, 30 November, until Wednesday, 2 December, at Madinat Arena within Madinat Jumeirah.
Visitors can currently register for an e-badge through the official event website. However, complete admission conditions, opening hours and any applicable ticket prices have not yet been published.
Anyone planning to attend should check the official programme closer to the date. Session times, chef appearances and admission arrangements may differ between trade professionals and general visitors.
Madinat Arena has hosted exhibitions, conferences, awards ceremonies and major hospitality gatherings. Its setting inside Madinat Jumeirah also places the event close to hotels, restaurants and other attractions within the resort complex.
Antonio Bachour Leads the Chef Lineup
Antonio Bachour is among the biggest names announced for Salon du Chocolat Dubai 2026 and is expected to participate throughout the three-day exhibition.
The Puerto Rican pastry chef is internationally recognised for his modern dessert designs, precise finishes and work as a pastry educator. His creations are known for combining bright colours, architectural forms and carefully constructed layers.
Bachour was named Best Pastry Chef by The Best Chef Awards in 2018 and received the organisation’s pastry distinction again in 2022. His career, international teaching work, published books and industry recognition are documented in his Valrhona guest-chef profile.
His presence gives Dubai visitors an opportunity to see the techniques of an internationally recognised pastry professional presented in a live environment.
Luxury-Hotel Pastry Chefs Join the Programme
The announced roster brings together executive pastry chefs representing some of Dubai’s best-known hotels and resorts.
Ishfaaq Carrimbaccus is the complex executive pastry chef overseeing W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, and The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina.
Guillaume Destouches, executive pastry chef at Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai, is also included in the lineup.
Adnan Khan joins the programme as cluster executive pastry chef at FIVE Hotels & Resorts, while Nicolas Lambert is appearing as a senior executive pastry chef at Four Seasons Hotels.
The announced hotel roster also includes Tom Coll, executive pastry chef at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, and Jean-François Le Luherne, executive pastry chef at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk.
Gianmarco Stifani, executive pastry chef at Armani Hotel, adds another major Dubai hospitality name to the programme.
They join Jacob Lovelace, executive pastry chef associated with Grosvenor House and Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, alongside Thomas Moulin, pastry chef at Jumeirah Al Naseem, and Trisha Singh Henault, executive pastry chef at FIVE Luxe JBR.
Their participation offers visitors a closer look at the work of professionals responsible for pastries and desserts inside high-volume luxury properties.
Hotel pastry chefs must balance creativity with consistency while producing desserts for restaurants, banquets, afternoon teas, private events and in-room dining. Live demonstrations can reveal how those ideas are developed and adapted for professional service.
Independent Chefs, Consultants and Educators
Salon du Chocolat Dubai 2026 is not limited to hotel-based chefs. The lineup also features independent business owners, culinary consultants, pastry instructors and technical specialists.
Farah Hamdane joins the event as a pastry chef instructor, consultant and owner of Farah Hamdane Pâtisserie.
Anne-Laure Morisset, chef and founder of Culinary Insights Consultancy, brings experience in culinary strategy and professional consulting.
Federico Erroi, pastry chef consultant at OttimoLab, and Paul Hayward, consultant chef and owner of PH by Design, will also be represented.
The roster includes Nouel C. Omamalin, a culinary innovator, brand builder and entrepreneur at Nouel Catis Foodstuff Trading LLC.
Several specialist pastry and chocolate professionals are participating as well. Pierre Abi Hayla is appearing as pastry chef and owner of Le Noir Chocolat, while Fadi Kurdi joins as a pastry chef and baking instructor at FK Baked House.
Bertrand Le Gallic, technical adviser at EMF Emirates, completes the group of specialists announced so far.
Together, these chefs expand the event beyond traditional demonstrations. Their professional backgrounds cover pastry education, technical consulting, product development, independent business ownership, brand building and specialist chocolate production.
At Least 19 Chefs Have Been Identified
The wider Salon du Chocolat Dubai programme is expected to include 26 chefs. Nineteen participants have been identified through the announcements currently available:
- Antonio Bachour
- Ishfaaq Carrimbaccus
- Guillaume Destouches
- Farah Hamdane
- Adnan Khan
- Nicolas Lambert
- Anne-Laure Morisset
- Tom Coll
- Federico Erroi
- Paul Hayward
- Jean-François Le Luherne
- Nouel C. Omamalin
- Gianmarco Stifani
- Pierre Abi Hayla
- Fadi Kurdi
- Jacob Lovelace
- Bertrand Le Gallic
- Thomas Moulin
- Trisha Singh Henault
More participants are therefore expected to be revealed before the exhibition begins. The final programme should confirm appearance dates, demonstration themes and session times for each chef.
Visitors hoping to see a particular chef should consult the official schedule before attending, as not every participant may appear on all three days.
Chocolate Couture Returns to Dubai
One of Salon du Chocolat’s signature attractions is chocolate couture, where fashion design and confectionery craftsmanship meet.
The 2026 Dubai programme is expected to feature 14 chocolate couture creations. These elaborate pieces treat chocolate as a design material, combining the visual spectacle of a runway presentation with the technical demands of professional chocolate work.
Producing a wearable chocolate design requires more than decoration. The teams involved must consider temperature, weight, structure and movement while preserving the appearance of the finished creation.
The chocolate couture presentation is likely to become one of the exhibition’s most photographed attractions. It also demonstrates how chocolatiers can work beyond conventional bars, bonbons and plated desserts.
Dubai already has a strong appetite for imaginative desserts and limited-edition creations. Previous Dubai dessert promotions and dining experiences have included everything from pistachio tiramisu and chocolate tarts to elaborate afternoon teas, showing how visual presentation continues to shape the city’s sweet offerings.
Live Demonstrations and Competitions
The programme is expected to feature live demonstrations by participating chefs, giving visitors the chance to observe professional techniques at close range.
Instead of seeing only the finished dessert, attendees can watch how chefs assemble, decorate and present their creations. These sessions may provide practical insight into flavour development, texture, temperature control, moulding and plating.
Coffee will also hold a significant place within the exhibition. The official programme lists Coffee in Good Spirits, Cezve/Ibrik and Brew Bar activities among its planned attractions.
Coffee in Good Spirits explores the relationship between speciality coffee and mixology, while Cezve/Ibrik preparation highlights a traditional brewing method with deep cultural roots in the Middle East, the Balkans and surrounding regions.
Their inclusion makes the exhibition relevant to baristas and beverage professionals as well as pastry chefs and chocolatiers.
Guests can also expect talks and professional discussions covering ingredients, products, techniques and developments within the chocolate, pastry, coffee and gelato industries.
Why the Exhibition Matters to Dubai
Salon du Chocolat Dubai operates as both a visitor experience and an industry meeting point.
For exhibitors, it provides access to hospitality buyers, chefs, distributors, potential business partners and consumers. Brands can use the exhibition to introduce products, demonstrate equipment and build visibility within Dubai’s large hospitality market.
For chefs and culinary students, the event creates opportunities to observe different methods, meet experienced professionals and follow developments in pastry production and presentation.
For general visitors, the appeal is more straightforward: three days of chocolate displays, live demonstrations, coffee activities and opportunities to discover businesses that may not normally appear together in one location.
That combination suits Dubai’s food landscape, where international hotel groups operate alongside independent bakeries, homegrown dessert brands, speciality cafés and premium chocolate boutiques.
Event Details at a Glance
- Event: Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai 2026
- Dates: 30 November to 2 December 2026
- Venue: Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah
- Expected exhibitors: More than 120
- Expected chefs: 26
- Chefs identified so far: 19
- Chocolate couture creations: 14
- Headlining pastry chef: Antonio Bachour
- Other attractions: Live demonstrations, talks, chocolate fashion and coffee competitions
- Registration: E-badge registration available
- Opening hours: To be announced
- Admission price: Not currently listed
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Salon du Chocolat Dubai 2026?
Salon du Chocolat Dubai 2026 will run from 30 November to 2 December.
Where will the exhibition take place?
The exhibition will be held at Madinat Arena inside Madinat Jumeirah.
Is Salon du Chocolat Dubai free to attend?
Visitors can currently register for an e-badge, but full admission conditions and any applicable ticket prices have not been confirmed. Registering for an e-badge should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that every part of the event is free.
How many chefs are participating?
The promotional programme states that 26 chefs will participate. Nineteen chefs have been identified through the announcements currently available, with more names expected.
Will Antonio Bachour attend all three days?
Promotional information currently presents Antonio Bachour as appearing from 30 November to 2 December. Visitors should confirm his individual session times once the final programme is released.
Salon du Chocolat Dubai 2026 is shaping up to be one of the city’s leading gatherings for chocolate, pastry, coffee and gelato. With more than 120 exhibitors, an extensive chef roster and further programme announcements expected, the exhibition promises three days of live craftsmanship, professional competition and edible design at Madinat Jumeirah.
