As part of the City Builders Race Initiative which was launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Blue Team commenced one of its projects for the talent and innovators task at Dubai Food Festival 2015. Consisting of a number of government entities, including Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA), Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (SME), and Dubai Culture & Art Authority (DCAA), the Blue Team focuses on engaging talented students and young entrepreneurs in different mentorship programmes with reputable experts in various domains.

The Blue Team partnered with Saudi Arabian super chef Yousef Khumayes, owner of the acclaimed Garnish fine-dining restaurant in Jeddah and presenter on MBC4s Dr. Chef, to start the first mentorship programme. Thirteen students studying GCSE Food and Nutrition at the REGENT International School were invited to Dubai Food Festivals Beach Canteen to meet Chef Yousuf and learn more about his journey through the culinary arts via an interactive cooking session.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General DTCM, said, We are pleased to be involved in this initiative which will streamline the process and help implement systems that will ultimately result in a higher quality of service and better overall visitor and customer experience. At Dubai Tourism we are continually improving the way we work to ensure that were as efficient as we can be, with teams united in our goal of achieving the Vision for Tourism 2020 of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. We are proud to be selected to work closely with other teams and come up with joint innovative solutions and initiatives that support talent and enhance the overall Dubai experience.
More students and young entrepreneurs with an interest in art, culture, science, technology and other domains will be carefully selected throughout the year to be part of similar mentorship/orientation programmes.

Dubai Food Festival was used by the Blue Team to launch their first talent and innovators mentorship programme. The citywide culinary celebration that showcases the Emirates emergence as a gastronomy destination through a 23-day programme has been taking place throughout February 2015. The festival aims to promote the diversity, creativity and multicultural nature of Dubais culinary offering from five-star gourmet dining to everyday restaurants and cafs to suit all budgets; as well as playing host to a number of renowned international celebrity chefs.