Embracing culinary diversity with Rahif Akkad, owner of Chef Akkad Company
With 15 years of experience in prestigious five-star hotels, Rahif Akkad, founder of Patisserie Akkad and Chef Akkad Company, shares his thoughts on the vital role diversity plays in sparking creativity and enriching dining experiences.
Five minutes with Ron Pohl, president of WorldHotels
Ron Pohl, president of WorldHotels and international operations at BWH Hotels, is navigating the competitive hospitality landscape, focusing on its unique strategies, evolving consumer demands and expanding market potential, particularly in the MENA region. We learn more about his work and how consumer demand is affecting the hotel industry.
The changing face of Oman’s hospitality sector with James Reeves
Much like the rest of the world, Oman’s hospitality sector is being transformed by technology. We spoke with James Reeves, GM of Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa in Oman, to learn more about how digitization is improving efficiency and enhancing the guest experience.
Cultural heritage in the spotlight with chef Tareq Taha
Tareq Taha, head chef, consultant and winner of Top Chef All-Stars 2023, is a renowned Palestinian chef based in Jerusalem. Known for expertly blending traditional Palestinian flavors with modern techniques, Taha creates innovative dishes that honor his cultural heritage. Here, he shares how Jerusalem’s rich history influences his menu development and dining experiences, seamlessly combining tradition with modern culinary innovation while preserving authenticity.
Rising to the challenge with Bassam Zakaria of Dusit International
An award-winning hospitality professional with over two decades of experience at prestigious hotels across Europe and the Middle East, Bassam Zakaria is passionate about fostering teamwork, particularly in his current role as area general manager of Dusit International. We caught up with him to learn more about his responsibilities, how he handles challenges and the trends shaping decision making at Dusit.
Getting inspired by Saudi’s first female chef Mona Mosly
Mona Mosly has paved her own way in the culinary world, from being a judge on Top Chef to hosting the podcast Aala Tawlet Mona. As the owner of Sweet Atelier, she blends her love for food with a deep commitment to inspiring others, especially women, to follow their culinary dreams. In this interview, we uncover the challenges she’s overcome and her journey to becoming an inspiration to others.
Redefining a hotel brand with Krystel Irani, Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC
The role of a hotel manager is never easy, especially when it comes to catering to the evolving needs of the market while preserving a hotel’s unique identity and tailored experiences. Krystel Irani, Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC details how she navigates the challenges.
Women leaders in hospitality with Maram Kokandi, hotel manager at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
Maram Kokandi, who achieved recognition as KSA’s first female general manager, is now hotel manager at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh. In this exclusive interview, she discusses the key challenges, opportunities and developments regarding women in hospitality leadership positions.
Welcoming Mama Shelter Dubai with general manager Monica Metzger
Dubai’s hospitality scene recently welcomed Mama Shelter, a trendy and vibrant hospitality brand known for its eclectic and fun approach to the hotel experience. Here, Monica Metzger, general manager of Mama Shelter Dubai, explains how the hotel effortlessly blends the brand’s bold spirit with the local culture.
Forging IHG’s success in the region with Haitham Mattar, MD for IMEA at IHG
As a seasoned business leader with extensive experience in driving growth and innovation across various sectors, Haitham Mattar is known for his leadership roles in the travel and tourism industry, particularly his work at the helm of global organizations in the Middle East and beyond. We caught up with him at the newly opened voco Beirut, an IHG property, to learn about IHG’s growth strategy, its focus on sustainability, digital transformation and brand expansion.
