Guinness World Record for largest cheese display set for Dubai during Gulfood 2026
More than 1,001 cheese varieties set to be showcased in one venue
DUBAI is set to host an ambitious Guinness World Record attempt early next year, with organisers aiming to create the largest display of cheese varieties ever assembled in one place.
The official attempt will take place on January 28, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel Deira Creek. The event is being held alongside Gulfood, recognised globally as the world’s largest food and beverage trade exhibition.
The benchmark to beat currently stands at 1,001 cheese varieties, a record established in Lyon, France, in October 2023. Organisers in Dubai are preparing a significantly expanded showcase, bringing together cheeses from multiple regions, traditions and production styles under one roof.
World record attempt
The Guinness World Record Official Attempt forms a central part of Date-a-Cheese 2026, an international food festival dedicated to pairing global cheese varieties with palm dates, a product closely associated with the UAE’s cultural heritage. The concept highlights both culinary innovation and the symbolic role of dates in regional hospitality.
World-renowned cheese and dairy specialist Elie Makhlouf, founder of Chronofood and cheese director of the event, described the attempt as a defining moment for the global dairy industry. He said a Guinness World Record represents more than a numerical achievement, describing it as a statement that reflects passion, precision and persistence coming together on an unprecedented scale. According to Makhlouf, the showcase is designed to honour producers, cultures and regions through cheese varieties sourced from across the world.
Date-a-Cheese 2026
Beyond the record attempt, Date-a-Cheese 2026 will feature a packed programme of industry-focused and experiential events. Among the highlights is The Art of Serving Cheese Awards, a new competition recognising innovation, creativity and diversity across hotels, restaurants and catering businesses. The awards aim to spotlight professional excellence in cheese presentation and service.
The festival will culminate in the Dubai Big Taste Cheese Experience, scheduled for January 30 and 31 from 6pm at the same venue. During these sessions, members of the public will be invited to taste the cheese varieties that were part of the Guinness World Record attempt, transforming the technical record challenge into an accessible culinary experience.
Date-a-Cheese was founded by Argos Star LLC, with CEO Rosario Scarpato describing the festival as a reflection of Dubai’s cosmopolitan identity while remaining rooted in its heritage. The Guinness World Record Official Attempt is being organised in collaboration with the Emirates Culinary Guild, the UAE’s professional chefs’ association. Greenhouse Foodstuff LLC, a leading importer and distributor of premium cheeses, is the main partner for the event.
The festival also forms part of Out-of-the-Box, the Gulfood after-fair programme organised by Argos Star. In 2024, the initiative produced a Guinness World Record for the longest line of sustainable pizza, reinforcing Dubai’s growing association with large-scale culinary record-setting events.