Beloved Dubai Chef Izu Ani has been granted the UAE’s 10-year golden visa for his dedication and contribution to the restaurant industry in the UAE.
The golden visa was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in 2019.
Chef Izu is the brains behind some of Dubai’s most popular restaurants including GAIA in partnership with Evgeny Kuzin, Carine, The Lighthouse, Izu Brasserie & Bakery and more.
Upon the announcement of his golden visa, Chef Izu said, “I feel honoured and proud to have been recognised with the UAE Gold Card Visa. To me, Dubai is not a transient place, it is somewhere that we can call home, rather than just pass through. It is a destination that allows us to grow.”
He added, “With hard work comes reward and recognition, and it is so inspiring to live in a place where we can achieve our goals. Dubai enables us to see the world with the eyes of a child, to explore and build our dreams into our realities, and for that, I will always be grateful.”
Originally coming to Dubai to help launch LPM Restaurant & Bar – previously known as La Petit Maison – Chef Izu has gone on to curate his very own restaurant portfolio in Dubai, which are now staples amongst the F&B crowd.
The standout establishments are his Emirates Golf Club restaurant Carine – named after his wife – and GAIA – a crowning jewel in the DIFC food scene – both of which have been visited by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
In a recent interview with Emirates Man, Chef Izu spoke of the honour it is to welcome the royals into his restaurants.
“It is always so humbling and exciting to welcome members of the Royal Family of the UAE to our restaurants,” he said. “I am so thankful for their support and endorsement; it is inspiring and motivating for myself and the whole team.”
