WEALTH November 4, 2026 0 Comments

Kerry’s Bold Move in Dubai: Why This New Innovation Centre Could Change the Game for Regional Business Forever

Ever wonder how long it really takes to turn a food idea into something you can taste on your plate? What if I told you that lingering months of development could be slashed to mere days, right in the heart of Dubai? Kerry, a powerhouse in taste and nutrition innovation, just ramped up its game by launching a brand-new regional innovation centre at Expo City Dubai. Picture this: chefs, scientists, and cutting-edge AI tools like Kalaido and Nexus working shoulder to shoulder in shared kitchens and sensory labs, all designed to tailor products to local palates—and fast. Edmond Scanlon, Kerry’s CEO, alongside key figures from the Dubai Future Foundation and government, marked this leap towards reshaping the Future of Food in the Middle East. This isn’t just about making food faster or better—it’s about blending global expertise with local culture, speeding innovations, and even pushing healthier choices without sacrificing flavor. Intrigued how this culinary revolution is stirring up the region? You’re in the right place to dig in. LEARN MORE

Kerry has opened its new regional innovation centre at Expo City Dubai.

Edmond Scanlon, CEO of Kerry Group, opened the centre alongside the deputy CEO and chief operating officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, and senior leaders from government and industry.

The facility is intended to localise products and brings together trends, consumer insights and ingredients from Kerry’s global network.

It is also set to help food and drink companies in the region to convert ideas into locally tailored products in record time, cutting development cycles from months to days.

“Our new Innovation Centre reflects our long-term commitment to the Middle East and to helping our customers grow,” said Scanlon.

“By bringing Kerry’s global expertise in taste and nutrition closer to customers in the region, we can work together to create better products that reflect local tastes and evolving consumer needs.

“Our collaboration with Dubai Future Foundation puts that ambition into practice, exploring how we can improve the nutritional profile of familiar foods without compromising the taste people love.”

At the centre, clients will work with Kerry’s chefs and scientists in shared kitchens, application labs and a sensory room to taste, test and refine new products before they go to market.

The centre is supported by Kerry’s proprietary AI tools, such as Kalaido, for product innovation, and Nexus, for recipe formulation, drawing on market data and the expertise of more than 1,300 Kerry scientists working across 60 technology and innovation centres all around the world.

Kerry opened its first development centre in Dubai in 2013, and the new centre extends that work to customers across the Middle East and beyond.

Our customers across the region want products made for local tastes, and they want them fast,” said Peter Dillane, president and CEO of Kerry APMEA.

“Our new Innovation Centre gives them a place to do that. With Kerry’s proprietary AI tools such as Kalaido, and our scientists working side by side with local chefs, we can taste, test and refine new ideas right here in Dubai.”

Marjan Faraidooni, chief people officer and chief of education and culture at Expo City Dubai, said: “Kerry’s flagship Innovation Centre here at Expo City Dubai is raising the bar for the future of food in the UAE and the wider region.

“We are proud to have Kerry as part of our thriving community of pioneering businesses – a future-focused free zone and a Green Innovation District that is actively driving positive, sustainable change – and look forward to seeing what exciting new solutions will emerge.”

Guests toured Kerry’s labs and sensory room with Kerry’s scientists, met the teams taking part in the Taste of Tomorrow Challenge, and tasted early ideas from Kerry’s chefs.

The Taste of Tomorrow is a collaboration for Dubai Future Week that seeks to make the region’s favourite foods healthier without losing taste.

Teams of local chefs and creators will work with Kerry scientists to remake traditional Emirati and Dubai dishes. Each team takes on one of three briefs: live longer, perform better and feel better.

The teams will develop their dishes in Kerry’s kitchens in just 10 days, from 9 to 19 November, and their progress will be filmed and shared by Kerry, Dubai Future Foundation and the creators.

On Friday, 20 November, the teams will present their dishes at Dubai Future Week, pitching to a panel of judges and offering tastings to visitors and media. Awards will go to the best dish for each brief, a crowd favourite and an overall winner.

“Dubai Future Week gives people the opportunity to experience new ideas and help shape them,” said Al Jaziri.

“Our partnership with Kerry applies this approach to food, bringing chefs and scientists together to explore how familiar dishes can offer better nutrition. We look forward to seeing what the teams create and hearing what the public thinks.”

Edmond Scanlon, CEO of Kerry Group.

Fergal Mythen, Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE, said: “This collaboration reflects the strength and depth of Ireland’s economic relationship with the UAE and the confidence of Irish businesses in the UAE as a key partner and hub for growth.”

Photo: (l-r) Edmond Scanlon, CEO Kerry Group, His Excellency, Fergal Mythen, Ambassador of Ireland to UAE, Marjan Faraidooni Chief of Education & Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer, Expo City Dubai, His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Future Foundation, Safi Mukhtar, Chief Financial Officer, Expo City Dubai, Peter Dillane, President and CEO, Kerry APMEA.