Partner Content: Follow the Chefs behind LahKee as they reveal how Dubai’s top culinary talent selects ingredients and flavours.
Dubai’s dining scene is thriving, and behind every memorable dish is a chef who cares as much about sourcing as seasoning. In a city where premium produce is always within reach, one destination continues to stand out for chefs who take their ingredients seriously: Waterfront Market.
Located on the Deira Corniche, Waterfront Market is the UAE’s largest fresh food hub and a vital part of Dubai’s culinary landscape. Open 24 hours a day in a fully air-conditioned setting, it brings together an impressive line-up of seafood, meat, poultry, fruit, vegetables, dry goods, and spices under one roof. For many of the city’s leading chefs, it is where menus begin.
It is also the backdrop for FACT’s new video series, Behind the Plating. The series follows some of Dubai’s most exciting culinary talents as they move through the market, explore seasonal produce, and explain how the right ingredients can transform a dish from good to unforgettable.
The previous episodes spotlight Chef Reif Othman of REIF Japanese Kushikyaki, Chef Robin Höfe of Kraken, Chef Kelvin Cheung of Jun’s, Chef Hadrien Villedieu of Chez Wam, Chef JP Anglo of Kooya Filipino Eatery, and Chef Giovvani Ledon of Akira Back Dubai, who invite viewers to see the market through a chef’s eyes. FACT trails them as they weave through the seafood counters, negotiate with trusted vendors, and pause at stalls piled high with herbs, citrus, and spices. Each stop becomes a lesson in freshness, traceability, and taste.
And this time, it’s husband-and-wife duo Mark and Mary Calbay of LahKee, whose contrasting approaches have helped shape the restaurant’s distinctive identity. Their cooking draws on Filipino, Japanese and Chinese influences, filtered through years of working in Dubai’s multicultural dining scene. Chef Mark brings an instinctive, expressive approach to the kitchen, while Chef Mary is more structured and technique-led, creating a natural balance between creativity and precision. Together, they have transformed what began as an idea for a secret supper club into one of Dubai’s most characterful independent restaurants. Their food is personal, often rooted in childhood memories, while LahKee’s open kitchen keeps the pair connected to diners. The result is Pan-Asian comfort food with personality, consistency and plenty of heart.
This collaboration between FACT, Waterfront Market, Chef Mark and Chef Mary Calbay of LahKee shines a light on the decisions made long before a dish reaches the table. By celebrating responsible sourcing and chef-driven selection, Behind the Plating encourages viewers to think more about where their food comes from and why that matters. For Dubai’s food lovers, it is a delicious blend of education and entertainment that looks as good as it tastes.
Where: Waterfront Market, Deira Enrichment Project, Al Khaleej Street, Deira, Dubai
Contact: https://waterfrontmarket.ae