• The sweet taste of success, 312 participants combined from Al Ghurair and Metaverse School helped set a new world record at Flayva food hall inside Dubai’s Al Ghurair Centre
• One of the Middle East’s most popular dishes was served up in three variations by homegrown favourite Allo Beirut – chicken, spicy chicken and chicken avocado – as the event showcased organisers’ commitment to inclusion and gratitude within the community

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – October 15, 2024: History was made last week as Flayva, the vibrant food hall, in association with Allo Beirut, the award-winning authentic Lebanese street food restaurant, set a new Guinness World Records™ title by hosting the largest ever shawarma-tasting event. Hosted at Al Ghurair Centre, the shawarmathon saw 312 participants take part sharing among themselves more than 900 shawarmas across three delicious varieties – all created and served by Allo Beirut.

A celebration of one of the Middle East’s most beloved dishes, the shawarma showcased by Allo Beirut involved three wraps of different types – chicken, spicy chicken and chicken avocado – with each of the 312 participants taking at least one bite to officially become part of the record. The participants included employees of Al Ghurair and students from the Metaverse School.

The event also involved students from the Middlesex University Dubai, which played a vital role in the ratification of the record. The event was monitored throughout by their team of students who acted as a proxy for the Guinness World Records™ attempt. Three stewards managed the participants in three separate batches and ensured each took a bite of all three shawarmas, whilst two witnesses were tasked with overseeing the record attempt. This process ensured every aspect of the record attempt met the official Guiness World Records™ standards.

Reflecting on the milestone achievement, Michael Beverly, Executive Vice President at Al Ghurair Centre said: “That was fun! The record reflects our core values to not only offer diverse culinary experiences, but to use our platform for community engagement and achieve global recognition. It is a testament to the power of food in bringing people together and through Flayva we always aim to do just that.

“Through this successful achievement of the Guinness World Records™ title, we have not only celebrated the city’s love for shawarma, but also brought people from different walks of life together, to create something truly special. This aligns with our vision of making Dubai a culinary destination whilst generating social impact.”

Charbel Mhanna, CEO at Black Spoon Group said, “We are incredibly proud to have been part of this record-breaking event alongside Flayva at Al Ghurair Centre. Shawarma is more than just a dish; it's a symbol of Middle Eastern hospitality and tradition. Being able to celebrate it with the community, while setting a new Guinness World Records™️ title, is a true testament to the love people have for this iconic street food. At Allo Beirut, we are committed to sharing authentic Lebanese flavours with the world, and this event has been an unforgettable moment for us in showcasing the spirit of our cuisine.”

By setting a world record, Flayva, in association with celebrated homegrown Lebanese street food concept Allo Beirut, has elevated Dubai’s food landscape, taking the food hall and Al Ghurair Centre to new heights to showcase the city’s culinary heritage globally. Flayva is home to 23 homegrown concepts and thrives on offering a diverse and flavourful dining experience to visitors. Cuisines include Lebanese, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, and many others