When the Dubai Airshow opens its doors on 17 November, Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) will be in charge of an impressive task: serving over 300,000 meals to a diverse audience. This event will welcome aviation and aerospace executives, government ministers, military delegates, industry professionals, and guests from more than 98 countries.

This monumental undertaking consists of constructing two central kitchens from scratch, staffing nearly 2,600 employees, and providing service to over 150 chalets, country pavilions, and exhibition stands, reflecting the varied culinary styles of the global aviation community.

To date, more than 35,000 meals have been pre-ordered for the chalets and pavilions, and 74 interns from prestigious hospitality schools have joined the team. All necessary infrastructure was established in under two weeks, ensuring that every aspect of the catering operation meets EKFC’s high standards.

EKFC’s commitment to quality also means they are capable of adjusting offerings quickly to meet specific requests, as they bring all catering in-house. Shahreyar Nawabi stated: “At the upcoming Dubai Airshow 2025, EKFC’s focus will be showcasing what’s possible when you combine airline catering expertise with event-scale execution. We’ve gathered diverse culinary talents able to deliver authentic regional cuisines ranging from French to Middle Eastern, Indian, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese.”

As part of the preparations, two kitchens have been built between the exhibition hall and the chalets. In addition, the facilities are outfitted with refrigerators for pastries and cold food preparations.

EKFC has also emphasized waste reduction, completely removing plastic bottles from their operations in favor of glass containers, and committing to composting or donating leftover food via a partnership with Dubai Municipality.

The variety of meals available during this event will reflect the diverse culinary preferences with dishes like braised beef cheeks in black truffle sauce, lamb kofta kebabs, Emirati tandoori lobster with saffron rice, and many more. EKFC is also collaborating with several UAE-based brands to offer unique dining experiences at the airshow.