A cutting-edge culinary facility has officially opened in Dubai, offering chefs and bakers across the Middle East a chance to see first-hand how ingredients perform under real-world conditions.
The new Customer Centre from Macphie, the family-owned Scottish food ingredients manufacturer, marks a pivotal step in its global growth strategy, helping it better serve international customers while accelerating expansion in the region.
Located in the heart of the UAE, the bespoke hub will host live demonstrations, collaborative workshops and tailored menu trials, all within a 175-square-metre space designed to mimic the pressures of a working kitchen or bakery.
It offers Macphie the chance to move beyond supply and into deeper partnerships with chefs, bakers and foodservice professionals, helping them solve complex culinary and operational challenges.
James Parker, Food Applications Manager at Macphie, said: “The Dubai Customer Centre is all about partnership. It’s a space where we can connect with our customers on a one-to-one basis, better understand their challenges, and demonstrate how our ingredients and products can provide solutions to those challenges, while continuing to deliver on quality and innovation.
“Already we’ve had a fantastic response. We’ve welcomed numerous customers through the doors and shown them exactly what’s possible when we collaborate on solutions. For chefs and bakers facing extended high humidity conditions, long service windows or fluctuating costs, the ability to test our products in a like-for-like setting is a game changer.”
Visits are by appointment only to ensure a fully bespoke experience, allowing Macphie’s team to tailor demonstrations to the specific needs of each client.
The facility also serves as a base for innovation sessions, training and the development of new menu concepts using Macphie’s suite of ambient UHT sauces and sweet bakery solutions.
Crucially, the facility reinforces Macphie’s relationship with key regional partners, while creating a direct link to the end users of its products.
Modern Bakery has been a long-term partner in the region. Dr Fawaz Al Bahri, CEO of Modern Bakery, said: “Our partnership with Macphie spans nearly three decades, built on shared values of quality, consistency and innovation.
“Their investment in a dedicated base in the Middle East is a welcome development and a clear sign of their long-term commitment to the region. We’re excited about the opportunities this creates for deeper collaboration and mutual growth.”
Macphie has maintained a presence in the Middle East for more than 30 years and now aims to more than double its sales in the region over the next three years. The Dubai investment, worth over £100,000, is a cornerstone of that plan.
The business already operates Customer Centres in the UK, including Coventry, which have proven successful in supporting sales growth by giving customers hands-on access to the product range and technical expertise.
James added: “Having our own space in Dubai helps us better understand the nuances of the market. We’re not just supplying product, we’re solving problems, sharing insight and building relationships that last.”
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Founded in 1928, Macphie now employs more than 300 people across its UK sites and supplies some of the world’s most recognisable food brands. Its portfolio is trusted by chefs and bakers to deliver consistency, reduce prep time, and tackle the pressures of modern service.
In 2015, Macphie became one of the first businesses in Scotland to achieve B Corp certification and continues to lead on sustainability – generating more renewable energy than it consumes at its Glenbervie HQ thanks to wind turbines and an on-site biomass plant.
As the Dubai Customer Centre opens its doors to more chefs and bakers, Macphie is cementing its status as a global food solutions partner – one with a proven ability to blend innovation, performance and personal service.
