GEMS Education and ICCA Dubai Partner to Expand Culinary Vocational Education in Schools

GEMS Education has partnered with the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai to introduce vocational learning opportunities in culinary arts to students across its schools.

The partnership is designed to connect school education with practical, real-world experiences by giving students and their families access to culinary courses, live masterclasses, events and potential career pathways. Through the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem, learners will be able to explore food, culture and creativity while developing practical culinary skills at home and engaging with chefs, professionals and others across the food industry.

ICCA-Foodverse to Connect Students With Culinary Learning

The initiative will use the ICCA-Foodverse platform as a community and engagement ecosystem connecting chefs, culinary professionals, enthusiasts and industry stakeholders. Through the platform, GEMS students and families can access structured learning opportunities alongside events and live experiences. The partnership will also incorporate ICCA Live, an online broadcast platform offering chef-led masterclasses and courses focused on professional development and certification.

By bringing these experiences into the school years, the initiative aims to give students an early introduction to vocational education and help them explore whether culinary arts could become an area of future study or employment.

Early Exposure to Culinary Careers

A key focus of the partnership is identifying and nurturing culinary talent from an early age. Students will have opportunities to understand their individual strengths, develop practical capabilities and build confidence through hands-on learning. The initiative is intended to provide an early foundation for students interested in the food industry while helping them understand the range of careers available within the sector.

The partnership also reflects a broader emphasis on making education more closely connected to life beyond the classroom. By incorporating practical vocational experiences alongside academic learning, the programme aims to help students develop skills that can be applied in real-world settings.

Families Included in the Learning Experience

The culinary learning journey will extend beyond individual students, with families encouraged to participate through the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem. Inspired by GEMS Education's Family First movement, this approach aims to make culinary exploration a shared experience. Students and their families can engage with food and cooking together while learning about different culinary traditions, techniques and professional opportunities.

The family-focused element also gives students opportunities to practise skills at home and turns culinary education into an activity that extends beyond school.

GEMS and ICCA Focus on Vocational Learning

Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, said the partnership represents a new approach to vocational learning that connects education with real-world opportunities.

He highlighted the importance of helping students identify their strengths and interests while developing the confidence and practical skills needed to pursue their ambitions. Sunjeh Raja, Director and CEO of ICCA Dubai, said the partnership would help create new pathways for students to explore culinary careers from an early age.

He also emphasised ICCA Dubai's focus on identifying and developing emerging culinary talent and preparing young people for careers in the food industry in the UAE and internationally.

ICCA Brings Professional Culinary Expertise

Established in 2005, ICCA Dubai is a culinary education provider offering professional, amateur and artisanal learning programmes. The institution has been recognised among the Top 10 Culinary Institutes in the World and has received recognition for quality culinary education from the World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs).

Through its partnership with GEMS, ICCA aims to combine its culinary education expertise with Foodverse's technology and digital learning capabilities. Foodverse is designed to provide a central platform where people interested in the food industry can access courses, live masterclasses, events and potential job pathways.

Connecting Education With Industry Opportunities

The partnership reflects an increasing focus on vocational education that gives students exposure to professional environments and career possibilities before they leave school. For students interested in culinary arts, the initiative can provide opportunities to explore the sector through practical learning while gaining a better understanding of the skills required in professional kitchens and related areas of the food industry.

The combination of school-based engagement, family participation, online learning and industry connections is intended to create a more continuous pathway from early exploration to potential future study and employment.

GEMS Education Expands Practical Learning Opportunities

GEMS Education is a private K-12 education provider founded in the UAE, with a history spanning more than six decades. The organisation operates schools serving students from a wide range of nationalities and offers multiple curricula.

The organisation says its educational approach combines academic learning with character development, wellbeing, innovation and engagement with families and communities. Through the new partnership with ICCA Dubai, GEMS is extending this approach into vocational education by introducing students to culinary arts and potential industry pathways at an earlier stage of their education.

The initiative aims to help young learners explore their interests, develop practical capabilities and gain a clearer understanding of how their skills and passions could translate into future opportunities.

Editor’s Note

The GEMS Education and ICCA Dubai partnership highlights the potential of introducing vocational learning earlier in students' educational journeys. Culinary arts can offer learners a combination of creativity, practical skills and exposure to a diverse industry, while family participation can extend learning beyond the classroom. Initiatives that connect school education with professional sectors can also help students explore career interests before making decisions about further study.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the GEMS Education and ICCA Dubai partnership?

The partnership aims to provide GEMS students with vocational education opportunities in culinary arts through courses, masterclasses, events and industry-related pathways.

2. What is the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem?

ICCA-Foodverse is a community and engagement platform connecting chefs, culinary professionals, enthusiasts and the food industry while providing access to courses, masterclasses, events and opportunities.

3. Will families be involved in the programme?

Yes. Inspired by GEMS Education's Family First movement, the initiative will encourage students and their families to explore culinary learning together through the ICCA-Foodverse ecosystem.

4. What is ICCA Live?

ICCA Live is an online platform offering professional chef-led masterclasses and courses focused on culinary learning and certification.

5. What is the main goal of the partnership?

The partnership aims to identify and nurture culinary talent from an early age while helping students develop practical skills, confidence and an understanding of potential careers in the food industry.