Chef named among Best 30
Clive Micallef was named to Hozpitality’s Best 30 Culinary Leaders for his work elevating wellness dining in the Middle East. The recognition was posted on Hozpitality’s social feed this week (x.com).
Chef Clive Micallef was named to Hozpitality’s Best 30 Culinary Leaders Powerlist 2026 in a post published April 7. (hozpitality.com) Hozpitality’s profile identified Micallef as cluster director of culinary for Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek and Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel. The same post said he was recognized for championing authenticity and wellness dining in the Middle East. (hozpitality.com) The wider 2026 list was also published April 7 and framed as a ranking of 30 culinary leaders in the Middle East. Hozpitality said the list highlights chefs and executives it sees as shaping the region’s dining scene through leadership and innovation. (hozpitality.com) Hozpitality runs these honors as popular-choice industry awards tied to its hospitality platform. Its awards site says selections are based on online voting, and the group reported more than 175,000 votes across categories for its 2025 awards cycle. (hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com) The 2026 food and beverage awards linked to Hozpitality’s program list voting as closed and say winners will be announced at Anantara Downtown Dubai on May 25. That places Micallef’s inclusion on the power list in the middle of this year’s regional awards season. (us.hozpitality.com) Micallef has been part of Dubai’s hotel dining circuit for years. In February 2018, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa appointed the Malta-born chef as executive chef, citing nearly two decades of international hospitality experience at the time. (caterermiddleeast.com) More recently, Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek has put his name on new restaurant launches at the property. A 2024 report on Creek Kitchen said dishes there were created under Micallef’s guidance, with an emphasis on local and seasonal produce to reduce the venue’s carbon footprint. (caterermiddleeast.com) Marriott’s dining page for the hotel still identifies Micallef as the chef guiding Creek Kitchen, the all-day restaurant at Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek. Another 2025 restaurant profile said he curated the menu for Bella Bocca, an Italian venue in the same development. (marriott.com) (whatson.ae) For Micallef, the new citation adds one more industry credential to a Dubai career built inside large hotel kitchens. For Hozpitality, it extends a yearly power-list format that now sits alongside its broader Middle East food and beverage awards program. (hozpitality.com 1) (hozpitality.com 2)
