Silvena Rowe is a strong advocate of healthy, wholesome eating and is now working in collaboration with Spinneys Middle East to create a healthy range of savoury and sweet food products. She was the creator of the award-winning leading concept Omnia, and from there she moved all her ethos into Al Botanica, which is the ‘little sister’ of her restaurant Nassau both located in Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Chef Silvena has been in the F&B business for more than 33 years donning multiple hats, such as chef, a food developer for a major UK food retailer, a journalist for the Guardian, and a TV presenter for food shows across BBC and US Food Networks.
As a female chef, she has always thrived to prioritise women in the field, in what is typically a male-dominated industry. For example, in her kitchens, she has always had at least 30% female chefs and at one point her whole pastry kitchen was entirely women-led. Chef Silvena is not only at the top of her field, but a dedicated mentor and coach to her team as well as juggling motherhood and being an older sister.
Chef Silvena said that “I understand the struggles and challenges that come with being a woman in the restaurant industry, which is why I have always supported newcomers, and even hire female interns to give them an opportunity to learn and excel in their career.”
Speaking about this incredible honour, she said, “I am extremely honoured to receive this spectacular opportunity and to be recognised for my modest role and contribution to the vibrant F&B scene in the UAE. It is indeed one of the most humbling moments of my life and I am truly grateful to this wonderful country that has opened many doors for me. My passion for the wellbeing of the UAE and its people burns more than ever!”
