This New Dubai Food Show Might Replace Your Weekend Plans
A new UAE food series, Ditch The Silver, premieres on OSN and OSN+ on 7 December, spotlighting authentic eateries and untold cultural stories across the Emirates.
Dubai gets another food show this December, but this one skips the fancy plates. Ditch The Silver, a 10-part series from Ti22 Films, lands on OSN and OSN+ on 7 December. It’s backed by Dubai Eats—the official food platform from Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE)—and hosted by Arva Ahmed, the storyteller behind Frying Pan Adventures.
Instead of tasting menus and skyline views, the series heads straight into neighbourhood kitchens, family-run diners, and long-standing community favourites that define the UAE’s real food identity.
- Ditch The Silver premieres on OSN and OSN+ on 7 December 2025.
- The 10-part series highlights hidden food spots across Dubai and the wider UAE.
- Hosted by Arva Ahmed from Frying Pan Adventures.
- Backed by Ti22 Films with support from Dubai Eats (DFRE/DET).
- Each episode focuses on real communities, heritage, and local food culture.
The idea started as a YouTube concept
A year ago, this show wasn’t even meant for TV.
- Arva Ahmed shaped the idea during a Ti22 Films creative bootcamp.
- It launched first as a YouTube series.
- OSN picked it up after the format gained traction.
The quick jump from a small web series to a full TV production shows how hungry UAE audiences are for honest, grounded food stories. Many viewers already follow Arva’s deep-dive food tours, so putting her curiosity on screen feels like a natural next step.
A food series focused on real communities
The show keeps its spotlight on places that rarely get covered.
- Each episode runs 24 minutes.
- Features under-the-radar eateries and long-standing neighbourhood spots.
- Highlights cultural heritage and personal stories behind the dishes.
While most food programmes in Dubai stick to tasting menus and chef theatrics, Ditch The Silver aims for the exact opposite. It takes viewers into streets, back alleys, and family kitchens where recipes carry decades of history. And because Arva grew up in Dubai, she brings context, memory, and lived experience—not staged commentary.
Ti22 Films’ production style shapes the tone
The series reflects the studio’s usual approach: strong storytelling with a cultural heartbeat.
- Ti22 has covered Expo 2020, COP28, Untold Music Festival, and DXB Today.
- The team holds 29 international awards, including Cannes and New York Festivals.
- Visual storytelling leans on authenticity instead of high-polish gloss.
With Ti22 steering the production, the show carries that familiar documentary-style pacing—clean visuals, clear context, and zero fluff. It also helps that the studio already understands local communities through past projects, which gives the episodes a grounded feel.
Backed by OSN and Dubai Eats
Distribution support is solid, which should help it reach a wide regional audience.
- OSN and OSN+ will carry the series from 7 December.
- Dubai Eats, part of DFRE under DET, is presenting the show.
- The partnership supports Dubai’s push to showcase everyday food culture.
Dubai Eats has already been building momentum for neighbourhood dining, so this series fits their strategy neatly. It also aligns with the UAE’s broader push to document cultural heritage—not through museums, but through living communities and their food traditions.
FAQs
When does Ditch The Silver premiere?
The show debuts on 7 December 2025 on OSN and OSN+.
How many episodes are in the series?
There are 10 episodes, each around 24 minutes long.
Who hosts the show?
It’s hosted by Arva Ahmed, the founder of Frying Pan Adventures, known for her deep knowledge of Dubai’s food history.
What makes this different from other Dubai food shows?
It focuses on small, long-standing eateries and real community stories instead of luxury restaurants.
Where can I watch it in the UAE?
You can stream it on OSN+ or watch it on OSN channels from the premiere date.
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