Gulfood 2025 didn’t just bring the food world to Dubai, it rewrote the script on what’s possible in the global F&B scene. The sprawling expo pulled in over 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries, attracting tens of thousands of deal makers, disruptors, and culinary creatives, all elbow-deep in the future of food. And while the halls buzzed with the usual suspects, dairy, meat, and gourmet everything, it was the plant-based trailblazers who stole the show.
Source: Gulfood 2025
The headline-grabber? Aviko Rixona’s Tater Cheezz Nugget, which bagged the coveted “Best Frozen Product” title. Forget your standard soy or pea-based meat imitations, this nugget changes the game, using potato-based Potato Cheezz to deliver the melt, the stretch, and the indulgence of dairy without the cow. Created by ARK34 using Aviko Rixona’s cheese alternative, it’s a bite-sized revolution in plant-based snacking.
First unveiled in 2022, Potato Cheezz has grabbed attention because of its versatility and sustainability creds. No fat, no salt, just a fibrous, creamy, meltable base made from spuds. It’s showing up in everything from finger foods to bakery fillings and meat substitutes. And it’s not stopping there. Aviko Rixona’s Potato TexaPure is also shaking things up, acting as an optimiser for meat alternatives, boosting juiciness and mouthfeel while cutting down the carbon footprint, especially when it replaces heavy hitters like coconut fat.
Source: Aviko Rixona’s Tater Cheezz Nugget
But Gulfood wasn’t just a product parade, it was a marketplace of opportunities. Brands weren’t just showing off, they were locking in deals, eyeing the lucrative Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. And that’s where Gulfood truly flexes its muscle. Dubai’s strategic position makes the event a golden gateway for global brands wanting a slice of MENA’s booming F&B sector.
With plans to double its footprint in 2026, expanding into Dubai Expo City, Gulfood is setting the stage for even bigger plays. Because in the world of food innovation, Dubai’s not just hosting the party, it’s definitely running the show.
ENDS:
Comments