Five minutes with Walid Merhi, co-owner and manager of Ferdinand Gastrobar
Walid Merhi co-owns and manages Ferdinand Gastrobar, leads the beverage program in Baky Hospitality– Egypt and owns a consultancy firm abroad. By farming his own produce, he has used his culinary heritage, terroir and passion to create a unique style through which he celebrates Lebanon’s seasons and legacy, making his name inseparable from the ever-evolving cocktail bar scene at home and abroad.Walid Merhi co-owns and manages Ferdinand Gastrobar, leads the beverage program in Baky Hospitality– Egypt and owns a consultancy firm abroad. By farming his own produce, he has used his culinary heritage, terroir and passion to create a unique style through which he celebrates Lebanon’s seasons and legacy, making his name inseparable from the ever-evolving cocktail bar scene at home and abroad.
Ishraq Hospitality appoints new director of operations
This move is in line with Ishraq Hospitality’s expansion of its strategic objectives in the hospitality sector.
Marriott appoints new multi-property GM for Kuwait hotels
Andreas Wissdorf, who brings 30 years of hospitality experience, will lead four Marriott hotels hotels and the Arraya ballroom in Kuwait.
SCAFA – a vocational institute leaving its mark on the Middle East
SCAFA, the School of Culinary and Finishing Arts in Dubai, is the largest vocational institute in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Zaigham Abdul Haque, SCAFA’s CEO, discusses talent in the Emirates and providing education to world-class chefs.
IHG’s Holiday Inn brand returns to Najran, KSA
The new IHG property in Najran is expected to be fully rebranded by the end of 2023, with completion taking place in two phases.
5 questions with “The Demon Chef”
HN caught up with chef Alvin Leung to hear more about his future plans, including the The Demon Duck in Dubai.
The birth of tourism in Oman
Nouhad Dammous, editor-in-chief of Hospitality News Middle East, forecasts a bright outlook for Oman’s tourism industry as the sultanate’s diversification efforts gather pace.
Destination Egypt by Nada Aaad
With a mantra “opportunities don’t happen, you create them,” Nada Aad, concept creator and managing partner of Mon Maki A Moi, sets her sights on Egypt for a range of new F&B projects. Here, she tells us more.
The definition of luxury in the midst of a major transition
The definition of luxury in hospitality is in the midst of a major transition. Industry professional Chirine Salha examines what the term means for the modern-day traveler and how hotels are responding.
The ROI of wellness
Soraya Jouzy’s passion for clean beauty and appreciation for nature stems from her mother, a keen botanist, and her early exposure to natural remedies. Her appreciation for wellbeing was further fueled by the long hours she spent working at the Gordon Ramsay group and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, where she put into practice her knowledge of essential oils to help reduce stress, improve sleep and boost energy. Determined to share her passion with the Middle East, Jouzy resigned from her job and founded Pearl Tree distribution. She is now recognized as a regional champion for clean beauty, sustainability and holistic wellbeing.