Indian chef in UAE lands first spot at World Food Championships in US
Dubai — Dubai-based Indian Culinary chef Surabhi Suri has won international acclaim after being proclaimed World Vegetarian Champion and First Runner-Up at the World Food Championships 2026 in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA.
After all, the self-taught chef behind the supper club Sebzee who made a name for herself in Dubai was not just noteworthy for her milestone win as she competed in non-vegetarian rounds despite having stuck to being vegetarian since childhood.
To Suri, the competition now stands for India, which is her birthplace, and branded itself as representing the UAE, where she discovered herself as a chef.
Dubai Shaped Her Journey
Suri has previously shared how Dubai housed her journey into fine dining as a culinary professional.
Suri said "Dubai has really made a very big impact on me as a chef also because it is one of the few places in the world where you see cultures reside so beautifully through food.
She told her that the varied food scene in the emirate introduce her to:
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Global techniques
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Ingredients
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New culinary ideas
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It also lets her touch and remain connected to her roots.
Food, in Dubai, has taught me it can have deep local relevance whilst remaining globally relevant at the same time.
Suri has noted that, while she has worked in leading hotel kitchens back in India during the early part of her career, it was only after moving to Dubai that she discovered genuine creative freedom.
She has adapted recipes often tested at her supper club featuring Indian and Arabic flavours, seeking input or critique from diners.
And by the time I got to a global stage, I had one year of absolute back-breaking work in my kitchen, perfecting every little nuance.
Competing as a Vegetarian Chef
The biggest issue at the competition, though, were the times when Suri had to sit out and compete in non-vegetarian categories for the finals.
As she doesn't eat meat herself, she's approached the challenge with technical rigour and a lot of prep.
"I went through tons and tons of videos. I researched techniques like a madman and visited professional kitchens to learn from chefs across cuisines and categories," said Suri.
In addition to that, she has practiced a lot in her own kitchen using:
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Thermometers
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Feedback from family members
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Guidance from sous chefs
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To perfect seasoning and doneness.
However, Suri kind of realised her biggest strength was in the vegetarian part and elements of the dishes.
I knew that most chefs in the competition would cook the meat perfectly, but my upper hand was bringing that level of precision, creativity and complexity to the plant-forward components of the dish. That balance became my edge.”
In this round, Suri has worked with side items: an electric pea purée and grilled carrots topped with salsa verde. And, her strategy has worked.
The judges said not only was the meat seasoned and cooked perfectly, they even went so far as to say that my sides tasted nearly identical to the chef's dish.
Carrying India and the UAE onto the World Stage
Suri has previously called the achievement an emotional one as it reflected how much India and the UAE meant to her both personally.
“India is the origin of my cooking roots. Suri said, "I grew up, matured and found my voice as a chef in the UAE.
And even more so she attributes her grandmother for teaching her the emotional element of cooking:
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Patience
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Instinct
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Respect for ingredients
Dubai helped her to build a global mindset which we can see in what she has created today.
This was not just an individual accomplishment, it amounted to a timid celebration of my grandmother’s lessons, Indian cuisine itself and the UAE ethos; ambition knows no borders made edible around the world.
Message to Aspiring Chefs
Suri said she wants her story to show young expatriates and women in the UAE that they can pursue their ambitions with confidence.
On this topic, a widely known quote: “ As an expat, it is hard to build your dreams far away from home and comfort zone. Suri said the UAE is a country that. Really rewards hard work, creativity and bravery.
I want to say to young people and in particular women that there is no need to fit into traditional boxes as a path for success, she added. Your strength is your unique self, your culture, and your voice. “Dream big, hustle harder, and never be afraid to take space in the world.”
From Dubai to the global culinary stage! Celebrate the inspiring journey of an Indian chef in the UAE who made history at the World Food Championships in the US.
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