Plant‑Based Dining Normalized at Swiss International Scientific School Dubai
At the Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, one of the largest international schools in the UAE, plant‑based cuisine has become a normalized part of daily life. The catering provider, Swiss Canonica, operates a six‑week rotating international menu where vegan main dishes are featured every day, alongside starters, Chef’s Specials, and desserts.
Vegan dishes are woven seamlessly into the menu, not presented as niche alternatives. Students enjoy Middle Eastern favorites such as kofta in tomato sauce with couscous and stuffed baby marrow, alongside global creations like teriyaki tofu, beetroot risotto, vegan chili con carne, and plant‑based shepherd’s pie. Desserts include fruit compotes, muffins, and dairy‑free sponge cakes, ensuring complete and balanced meals that appeal to all students.
The menu is designed to provide students with both variety and choice. “Our rotating international menu is designed to provide students with variety and choice throughout the school week,” explained Cleary. “Each day, students can choose from a selection that includes a starter, the Chef’s Special, a main course, a vegetarian or vegan main course, and dessert.” Families use the Spare App, with each child linked to an individual account, allowing parents to select meals and manage payments directly. Parents are also asked to provide information about allergies, intolerances, and other dietary requirements when booking meals, ensuring safety and personalization.
Swiss Canonica’s approach extends beyond SISD. At Star International School Al Twar, principal Lisa Passante highlighted how the school similarly combines advance ordering for younger children with greater independence for older students. Working with Swiss Canonica, Star International offers fresh vegetable starters, vegan mains, and weekly country‑themed options within its six‑week rotating menu.
By embedding hearty, culturally varied vegan dishes into daily menus and making them accessible to everyone, these schools demonstrate how plant‑based food can be seamlessly integrated into mainstream education. In a city known for diversity and innovation, this represents a significant step toward normalizing veganism in the Middle East, showing that plant‑based meals are not just for vegans, but for anyone seeking variety, balance, and inclusivity.