09. Laura Allais-Maré, Founder and President, Slow Food Dubai Convivium
Allais-Maré began her journey in hospitality in 1985 at the Principi di Piemonte Hotel School in Torino, Italy. She worked for 18 years as chef and executive chef at La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek, South Africa, as well as at several prestigious restaurants and agri-tourism businesses in Italy. Managing the Learn To Earn branch in Hermanus, South Africa, allowed her to follow her passion for ethically-responsible, sustainably produced food as she taught life skills, hospitality management, and environmentally-friendly growing methods. Allais-Maré started the Slow Food Convivium in Dubai early in 2013. The urban gardening group holds regular workshops to teach people in the UAE how to grow food more sustainably. Allais-Maré and her team of volunteers run the project at the Urban Rooftop Garden at the Time Oak Hotel in Tecom, growing heirloom, organic vegetables and herbs, most of which are cultivated from seed. Slow Food Dubai runs the Snail of Approval accreditation initiative as well as a programme of regular workshops and talks. This year, Allais-Maré also introduced a farm visit and farm stay programme in an effort to support farming in India.
Bite-sized facts:
Number of years in the F&B industry: 28
Number of years with this company: 2+
Number of years in this role: 2+
Number of years working in the Middle East: 2+
Number of people you are responsible for: 37
Nationality: Italian/ South African
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