Dubai-Based Indian Chef Wins World Vegetarian Champion

Dubai-based Indian culinary chef Surabhi Suri has received global recognition after being named World Vegetarian Champion and securing the position of First Runner-Up at the World Food Championships 2026 held in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA.

The self-taught chef behind Dubai’s popular supper club Sebzee gained attention not only for her major achievement but also for competing in non-vegetarian rounds despite being a vegetarian since childhood.

For Suri, the competition became a representation of both India, her birthplace, and the UAE, where she discovered her identity as a chef.

Dubai Played a Major Role in Her Culinary Journey

Suri has earlier spoken about how Dubai shaped her growth as a culinary professional in the fine dining industry.

“Dubai has had a huge impact on me as a chef because it is one of the few places in the world where cultures come together so beautifully through food,” said Suri.

According to her, Dubai’s diverse culinary scene introduced her to:

Global cooking techniques
Different ingredients
New culinary concepts

At the same time, it also helped her remain closely connected to her roots.

“Dubai taught me that food can stay deeply connected to its roots while also being globally relevant,” she shared.

Although Suri worked in leading hotel kitchens in India during the early stages of her career, she explained that she found true creative freedom only after moving to Dubai.

Through her supper club, she experimented with Indian and Arabic-inspired dishes, constantly refining recipes based on feedback and experiences from diners.

“By the time I reached the international stage, I had already spent one year doing extremely hard work in my kitchen, perfecting every single detail,” she said.

Competing as a Vegetarian Chef

One of the toughest challenges during the competition came when Suri had to participate in non-vegetarian categories in the final rounds.

Since she does not consume meat herself, she approached the challenge with careful preparation and technical precision.

“I watched countless videos, studied techniques intensively, and visited professional kitchens to learn from chefs across different cuisines and categories,” Suri explained.

She also spent long hours practising in her own kitchen using:

Thermometers
Feedback from family members
Guidance from sous chefs

To achieve the perfect seasoning and cooking standards.

However, Suri realised that her strongest advantage was the vegetarian elements of her dishes.

“I knew many chefs would cook the meat perfectly, but my strength was bringing the same precision, creativity, and complexity to the plant-forward components of the dish. That balance became my advantage,” she said.

For the final round, Suri focused heavily on side components including electric pea purée, grilled carrots, and salsa verde — and the strategy paid off.

“The judges said the meat was perfectly seasoned and cooked, but they especially appreciated how closely my side dishes matched the chef’s original dish,” she added.

Representing India and the UAE on the Global Stage

Suri described the achievement as emotional because it reflected the importance of both India and the UAE in her personal and professional journey.

“India is where my culinary roots began, while the UAE is where I grew, evolved, and found my voice as a chef,” said Suri.

She also credited her grandmother for teaching her the emotional side of cooking, including:

Patience
Instinct
Respect for ingredients

At the same time, Dubai helped her develop a global outlook and the confidence to experiment fearlessly.

“This achievement was not just personal. It felt like a tribute to my grandmother’s teachings, India’s culinary heritage, and the UAE’s spirit of ambition without borders,” she shared.

Message for Young Chefs and Expats

Suri said she hopes her journey inspires young expatriates and women in the UAE to follow their dreams with confidence.

“Being an expat means building your dreams far away from home and your comfort zone, which can often feel difficult. But the UAE is a country that truly rewards hard work, creativity, and courage,” she said.

She further added, “I want young people, especially women, to understand that they do not need to fit into traditional molds to succeed. Your individuality, culture, and voice are your greatest strengths. Dream big, work hard, and never be afraid to claim your space on the global stage.”