Partner Content: Follow Jumeirah Al Naseem’s Executive Chef Cláudio Cardoso as he reveals 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 a vital part of Dubai’s culinary landscape. Its fully air-conditioned setting houses an impressive line-up of seafood, meat, poultry, fruit, vegetables, dry goods and spices, with key fresh food sections operating around the clock. For many of the city’s leading chefs, it is where menus begin.
It is also the backdrop for FACT’s 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.
Previous episodes have featured Chef Reif Othman of REIF Japanese Kushiyaki, Chef Robin Höfer of Kraken, Chef Kelvin Cheung of Jun’s, Chef Hadrien Villedieu of Chez Wam, Chef JP Anglo of Kooya Filipino Eatery, Chef Giovanni Ledon of Akira Back Dubai, and chefs Mark and Mary Calbay of LahKee. FACT follows them through seafood counters and stalls piled high with herbs, citrus and spices, offering viewers a closer look at the choices that shape their cooking.
This time, the spotlight falls on Chef Cláudio Cardoso, Executive Chef at Jumeirah Al Naseem. The Portuguese chef has spent more than 20 years working in kitchens around the world, developing an approach shaped by quality ingredients, seasonality and simplicity. His career includes roles at Bvlgari Hotel in Milan and Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai. A childhood spent around farms and kitchens established an early appreciation for produce, while his support for rainforest conservation through Cool Earth reflects an interest in the environment that extends beyond the restaurant. That combination of international experience and respect for ingredients makes him a fitting guide to the market’s diverse offering.
This collaboration between FACT, Waterfront Market and Chef Cláudio Cardoso 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