The municipality has written to licensed premises across the city and told them that if they use any alcoholic drinks in cooking or food preparation they will face fines of up to dhs27,000.

The move has shocked many people within the catering industry, which has been serving alcohol in dishes such as those on the menu opposite for years. Some have expressed concerns that the ban will have an impact on quality.

Chefs surprised by alcohol ban
Drinks commonly used in cooking include wine and beer for sauces as well as spirits and liqueurs used for flambes and desserts.

A French chef at one of Dubai’s top hotels, who asked not to be named, said: “For 30 years, the hotels have been able to use alcohol in their dishes - it is extremely important from a chef’s point of view in certain dishes.

“I don’t really understand why the rules have become suddenly strict like this. “Personally, I can’t imagine serving some dishes without alcohol, sometimes it can be a vital ingredient.”

The municipality said the ban comes in with immediate effect, although it relates to a law going back to 2003. It said that until now the law had not been enforced.

“It was an old rule that was not active.

“Now we have decided to reinforce it strictly and all hotels must abide by it,” said Ahmed Al Ali, the head of food inspections.

He said restaurants ignoring the rules would be fined, adding: “The fines vary between dhs2,000 and dhs 27,000.

The fines will go up if the violations are repeated.”

He said inspectors may give a grace period of up to one month if a restaurant makes a special request.

“There have been a lot of complaints from people in this regard. It is a Muslim country and people have to abide by certain rules and regulations,” Al Ali said.

In the letter sent to outlets, it states that the use of alcohol in food preparation is strictly prohibited. It also said alcoholic drinks must be stored separately to food.

Guillaume Mantif, the restaurant director at the French bistro Margaux in Souk Al Bahar, said it had started using alternative ingredients.

“We changed the recipes as soon as we got the circular. It will definitely affect the quality of sauces and some customers may be disappointed,” he said.