Dubai-it Awards: Chef Izu Ani: Taking Dubai-born hospitality concepts to the world

Dubai: Chef Izu Ani is a chef, concept creator and partner whose career has evolved from leading kitchens to creating international hospitality brands. Today, he is Chief Research Officer and Partner at Fundamental Hospitality, with a portfolio of concepts that have grown from Dubai to major destinations around the world. Born in Nigeria and raised in London, Izu discovered cooking through home-economics classes at school. He went on to train in Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe. Time spent in France and Spain exposed him to Nouvelle Cuisine and the simplicity that continues to define his culinary approach. Dubai became the defining stage of his career. Arriving at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010, Izu joined La Petite Maison Dubai as its opening head chef. He found a city whose entrepreneurial energy matched his ambitions, giving him the confidence to think beyond a single kitchen and consider how a restaurant could become a brand with international potential. By 2012, Izu had committed to making Dubai his home. From 2013 to 2016, he shaped the original concept, menu and design of La Serre Bistro & Boulangerie in Downtown Dubai, developed with Emaar. His career subsequently moved beyond leading kitchens to creating concepts and building brands. Between 2016 and 2017, he founded YSeventy7, a Dubai-born creative food and beverage consultancy that brought chefs and creative teams together to develop new concepts. His work included supporting the early development of The Lighthouse, Fika, Aya and Saddle. In 2018, Izu created Carine, named after his wife, and launched GAIA in DIFC with Evgeny Kuzin. GAIA was built around Greek-Mediterranean cooking, exceptional ingredients and the pleasure of sharing. GAIA’s first international opening in Monte-Carlo in 2019 marked an important step in taking a Dubai-developed concept overseas. Doha followed in 2022, London in 2023 and Marbella in 2024, with Miami following in 2026. The brand has also operated summer pop-ups in Bodrum and Saint-Tropez, while further projects in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Mykonos are planned for 2027. Beyond GAIA, Izu has created, developed or guided a broad portfolio of concepts, including Carine, Shanghai Me, Izu Burger, Piatti by the Beach, La Maison Ani, Alaya, La Petite Ani, SIRENE by GAIA and KIGO at Four Seasons DIFC. Across his work, Izu has developed more than 30 restaurants across 10 cities worldwide. His approach has been to create and establish hospitality concepts in Dubai before expanding them internationally, with cuisine, design, service and attention to detail coming together as a complete experience. In record time, concepts developed in Dubai have expanded to destinations including Monte-Carlo, London, Marbella, Miami, Bodrum and Saint-Tropez. This ability to turn locally developed ideas into global hospitality brands is central to how Izu reflects the Dubai-it philosophy. His relationship with the UAE also extends beyond his restaurants. In 2021, Izu received the UAE Golden Visa. In 2024, he became Audi’s first regional brand ambassador. He is also an official partner and brand ambassador of Evian, while his commitment to craft and detail is reflected in his association with Zegna. His journey has been featured in Esquire Middle East, Caterer Middle East and Vogue Man Arabia, as well as in broadcast interviews. Away from developing restaurants and brands, Izu is a dedicated cyclist. Sunrise rides through the desert provide space for reflection and renewed focus. Dubai is also where his family has grown and where he has worked to nurture the next generation of culinary talent. Mentorship is central to how Izu views his legacy. For him, success is measured not only by the restaurants and brands created, but also by the people encouraged to develop, lead and pursue their own ambitions. Izu’s journey closely reflects the Dubai-it philosophy of turning ambitious ideas into tangible achievements with excellence and speed. The Dubai-it initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and is inspired by his principle: “We say what we do, and we do what we say.” The Dubai-it Award, launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, celebrates achievement built around bold ambition, excellent and fast execution, and lasting impact. For Chef Izu Ani, that philosophy can be traced through the progression of his career: from European kitchens to Dubai, from chef to concept creator, and from establishing restaurants locally to building brands with an international presence. Dubai has become far more than the city where Izu built his career. It is where he learned to think beyond an individual restaurant and see how an idea could be developed into a hospitality brand capable of travel