Millennium Hotels partners with Watermelon for UAE Food Sustainability Initiative

(Photo: Courtesy of Millennium Hotels & Resorts)

Millennium Hotels and Resorts has partnered with food and beverage sourcing platform Watermelon to incorporate locally sourced produce into its hotels in the UAE.

Millennium said the partnership aims to “revolutionize the way food is sourced, delivered and consumed in UAE hotels.”

Through the partnership, Millennium will source produce from local farmers through Watermelon, ensuring its properties use the freshest and highest quality ingredients.

Watermelon has a dedicated team working with local farmers and fishermen in the UAE to offer a curated selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and other home-grown ingredients through its platform.

The platform includes a growing network of more than 50 commercial farm companies representing more than 1,000 local farmers, including local farm companies like Manbat.

The collaboration will take place at Al Fresco, an Italian restaurant located in Millennium Plaza in Downtown Dubai. As part of the initiative, executive chef Christophe Prud’homme of Millennium Plaza downtown will create an exclusive menu using locally sourced ingredients.

Future plans include introducing a ‘Family Farm’ style breakfast featuring nutritious local produce sourced from UAE farms.

Omar Al Shamsi, CEO of Watermelon, said: “We are delighted to be working with Chef Christophe to create these fantastic dishes that emphasize local ingredients from the UAE. Fostering a resilient and sustainable food system benefits everyone.”

Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim, CEO, Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, added: “We are delighted to embark on this food sustainability journey with Watermelon, a platform that provides access to thousands of local farmers in the UAE. We partnered with The Watermelon partnership will demonstrate our commitment and support the creation of a more resilient and sustainable food system that nurtures local communities and celebrates the incredible flavors the UAE has to offer.”

Millennium says its ESG strategy involves building long-term relationships with local communities by supporting local SMEs.

Al Fresco’s chef Christophe, executive chef at Millennium Plaza Downtown, adds: “I grew up on a farm full of fresh food, and as an aspiring young chef, I smelled and touched the fruit and vegetables, Today, my dream has come true. I am very excited to work with the best seasonal produce in the UAE, including a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as other produce grown in the UAE. Working closely with Watermelon, I can go back to the memories of my youth, Enjoy the aromas and see the locally grown vegetables that I will soon be preparing at the chef’s table at Alfresco.”

This article originally appeared on Business Travel Middle East