Pinktober: UAE restaurants create dishes to raise funds for breast cancer

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that time of the year when individuals and institutions alike launch initiatives to raise awareness about and funds for one of the most common types of cancer. Several restaurants and cafes in the UAE have created limited-time dishes available for the month, known as Pinktober, with proceeds going to cancer detection and research.

Here are some treats to sample for a good cause.

Dessert from Couqley French Bistro

The JLT venue has partnered with Al Jalila Foundation and Brest Friends to create framboise-speculoos, a raspberry-yoghurt mousse on a bed of crushed Lotus biscuits (Dh52). All proceeds will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation to support breast cancer research. The dessert is available throughout the month of October.

Chocolate bar from London Dairy Cafe

Chocolate lovers can pick up a slab from any London Dairy Cafe outlet in Dubai this October. The establishment has created a blend of dark chocolate bars in pretty pink packaging, with all proceeds from sales going to Al Jalila Foundation to promote the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The Pinktober bars are priced at Dh12.

Afternoon tea at Aspen

The all-day dining venue at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates will serve a pink afternoon tea during October. On the menu are scones, mini cakes and pink sweets paired with gourmet teas. The proceeds will go to Al Jalila Foundation to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The afternoon tea is available daily from 3pm-6pm; prices start from Dh175 per person and Dh295 per couple.

Mocktails from La Serre

The chic bistro and bakery located in Downtown Dubai has created limited-edition drinks for the month of October. Guests can sip on an Instagram-worthy white and rose hot chocolate (Dh30), complete with a pink caramel macaron served on the side. There’s also the icy Mademoiselle mocktail (Dh55) made with pomegranate puree. For each of these beverages bought in October, Dh10 will be donated to the Pink Caravan initiative, which is part of the Friends of Cancer Patients for early detection of cancer.

Cupcakes from Sugargram 

Dessert parlour Sugargram has launched a Breast Cancer Awareness box (Dh30) for the month of October. Five cupcakes in an assortment of flavours are available in floral pink packaging, making them an attractive gift, too – Dh5 from each box sold will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation.

Ice cream from Haagen-Dazs

The ice cream brand is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with two initiatives: 25 per cent from the purchase of any strawberry-flavoured treat from the Haagen-Dazs store – be it dine-in, takeaway or delivery – will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation for cancer research. The brand has also collaborated with Gargash Hospital so all female customers at its cafes in the UAE will receive free consultation and discount vouchers for treatment. For more information, follow @haagendazsuae on Instagram.

Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi 

Brunch is something of a UAE institution, and now Abu Dhabi diners can enjoy one while also raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, has teamed up with Al Jalila Foundation to launch the Pinktober Chef’s Brunch, to take place every Friday this month. Guests will find a beef tartare station, a superfoods station, ostrich eggs and sushi alongside pink mocktails.

The brunch is from 1pm-4pm and costs Dh299 with soft drinks. A portion of the funds will go towards Al Jalila Foundation.

All-you-can-eat menu at Alba Terrace 

Alba Terrace at Abu Dhabi Edition has launched a Pinktober Alba Eats menu, which features Mediterranean dishes such as veal and lamb meatballs, wild mushroom risotto, and sea bass fillet. Guests can enjoy the unlimited menu for two hours daily between noon and 10pm, with free-flowing drinks for Dh168 per person, including a donation made to Al Jalila Foundation.