“UAE Olympic House” Concept
The concept of “hospitality diplomacy” was emphasized by the presence of an Emirati chef at the “UAE Olympic House”.
The first of its kind, in the heart of the French capital.
This comes in coincide with the UAE’s participation in the current Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
UAE Olympic House aims to spread the culture of Emirati hospitality and generosity to a wide range of international visitors.
Not only Europeans, but leveraging the diverse audience attracted by the Olympics.
Mitha Al Warsho, the first Emirati chef with a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts and hospitality, said:
“The types of food offered at the UAE Olympic House in Paris are rich in local flavors.
We want to introduce international visitors to Emirati cuisine, by offering a cultural glimpse into the local cooking style.”
Local Spices
Chef Mitha Al Warsho described the menu, which is rich in the spirit of Emirati local spices.
For example, the French dish (Terrine au poulet) is prepared by Chef Mitha in her own way.
Mixing it with local spices such as bzar and some local products like pickled onions.
By this she is giving the terrine a familiar look but a different and unique taste.
This is where the chef’s touch stands out, offering flavors that take tasters to new levels of experience.
Another dish on the UAE Olympic House menu is (Foie gras), which adorned the table of the Emirati House guests.
Presented with local elements by adding dates to offer a unique sweetness that complements the other flavors of the famous French dish.
Emirati Hands
Chef Mitha Al Warsho participates in the Olympic Games wearing an apron adorned with the UAE flag on one shoulder.
This expresses that Emirati customs and values have always been present in her participation, she said:
“We learned from the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, the customs of generosity and hospitality.
Therefore, we start our hospitality inside the UAE Olympic House with special Arabic coffee from one of the Emirati roasters in Abu Dhabi”
She highlighted that the coffee beans were selected, roasted, and prepared by young Emirati hands.
Chef Mitha’s duties are not limited to enriching the hospitality scene within the corridors of the UAE Olympic House from the hospitality platform of the “Erth” Hotel, affiliated with the Officers Club in Abu Dhabi, but extend beyond those walls.
She has larger responsibilities to promote the local and Arab essence of flavors proudly made in Paris.
Introducing unfamiliar elements to the Western world, such as:
Cardamom and saffron, through samples that other groups outside the Olympics can try, spreading the flavors more widely.
130 Years
Looking at the history of the Olympic Games, nearly 130 years since the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, Al Warsho’s presence can be seen as part of what we might call “stomach diplomacy.”
This term refers to the first scientific thesis on “the diet of Olympic athletes from 1896 to the present,” conducted by the Open University of Catalonia in Spain.
The author of the thesis, researcher Xavi Santabarbara Diaz, noted that each country hosting the Olympic Games influences visitors through the flavors of the foods they find.
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He added: “For example, in Seoul in 1988, the organizing committee used food to promote the country, a great example of food diplomacy.
Since then, kimchi has become known worldwide.”
In another example, Japan was hesitant to consider its diet attractive to athletes until the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
When its women’s national volleyball team won the gold medal.
The researcher noted that “their coach explained the athletes’ diet, which consisted mainly of rice balls and fish, changing the way people viewed Japanese food.”
Al Warsho expressed genuine satisfaction and pride due to her tangible success in Paris.
She was filled with mutual happiness from every visitor who praised the exceptional hospitality offered by the UAE Olympic House.
