Dubai is now home to a new app for the city’s affluent that aims to connect users with top-tier culinary experts. YouCater provides a platform for the wealthy who have a taste for premium culinary experiences, offering them the ability to hire personal chefs and catering on-demand.
Founded by husband and wife duo, Sarah Dupuy and Philippe Dupuy, YouCater aims to feed the growing demand as Dubai continues to position itself as “a global hub for events, from private gatherings to corporate conferences and public events.”
“Customers are seeking ever-more personalised experiences, and YouCater helps hosts design a totally unique and tailored event,” the founders said in an exclusive interview with Arabian Business.
The platform is not a regular food-oriented mobile application, YouCater has entered partnerships with the city’s top restaurants including beefbar, Reif Kushiyaki, Caviar Kaspia, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Sumosan and more.
In addition to the convenience of ordering food online, individuals now have the option to request a personal chef from their preferred restaurant to prepare a meal in the comfort of their own homes, on-demand.
YouCater also aims to cater to mid-market clientele, the platform has established partnerships with homegrown brands including Maiz Tacos, House of Pops and Wise Guys.
How does the application work?
Upon entering the YouCater platform, the user will be asked to choose a scene – corporate event or private event. The user will then have to specify the occasion and choose from several options including afternoon tea, gifting, kid’s birthday and more.
Following that the customer will be requested to provide details of the event including the time, date and number of guests.
Hosts can then choose from an array of options including caterers, private chefs, food trucks, mixologists, hampers and more. Based on their choices, the platform will continue to obtain information to curate a highly personalised experience for the client.
“With a user-friendly interface and strong filtering options, we help users to find the perfect match for their specific needs, whether it’s a corporate luncheon, wedding reception, or intimate gathering. We match users with providers who align with their preferences, ensuring a tailored and memorable catering experience,” Dupuy said.
Being a highly personalised service comes at a slightly higher price point which might could pose as a challenge, however Dupuy highlights the UAE as an ideal target market for YouCater, “The UAE is experiencing a demographic surge, characterised by affluent, multicultural households that value hospitality and social gatherings. This aligns perfectly with our expertise in offering premium culinary experiences,” he said.
The founders the rigorous vetting process for catering providers, stating, “We leverage over 30 years of combined finance expertise and notable achievements in the culinary world to ensure that all our partners meet our high standards. Our ‘best in class’ ethos is reflected in every partnership.”
Looking ahead, YouCater revealed plans to expand across the GCC starting with Saudi Arabia.
“Everybody loves to celebrate around food, which is reflected in the personas behind the incoming enquiries! We see demand from Expat as well as Local populations across all Emirates,” Dupuy concluded.
Last month, Arabian Business reported that the UAE alone in 2023 saw the migration of 4,500 UHNWIs which marks the second-largest recorded influx globally.
With more ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals expected to flock to the city, businesses in Dubai continue to expand offerings to suit the wealthy and new business ventures continue to emerge to fulfil the growing demand for increased services.
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