Homegrown Middle Eastern coffee shops have their day
Buoyed by rising demand, a new wave of homegrown coffee brands is reshaping the region’s specialty coffee landscape. From the UAE to Saudi Arabia, more outlets are opening for business, writing their own success stories and adding to a compelling narrative. Abdul Kader Saadi, managing director of Glee Hospitality Solutions, charts the rise of a movement that is both locally rooted and globally ambitious.
Inside the neuroscience of coffee
What makes a cup of coffee truly memorable? The answer, it turns out, starts in the brain, well before we’ve even taken a first sip. Reza Kosar, co-founder and managing partner at Slick Coffee Co., explores how everything from the weight of the cup and the background music to the lighting and decor shapes the way we experience our favorite drink.
The UAE: firm foundations, bold ambitions
Non-hydrocarbon activities are gathering pace and delivering results for the UAE, setting the emirates on course for further strong, steady growth across the sectors. Nada Alameddine, managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, lifts the lid on the plans that the UAE expects to steer its economy into the next decade.
Why the algorithm is behind overtourism
Aradhana Khowala, founder and CEO of Aptamind Partners, examines why the industry may have been looking in the wrong place for answers to this critical problem.
Discover Callebaut’s chocolate fudge cake recipe
Indulgent and irresistible, chocolate fudge cake is one of those tempting treats that never loses its appeal. Luscious layers of ganache and mousse, alongside a cocoa mirror glaze, give this interpretation from the experts at Callebaut Chocolate Academy genuine showstopper quality.
5 experts on how tea-infused alcoholic beverages are causing a stir
Long associated with a traditional afternoon ritual, tea has today found a new home behind leading bars worldwide. Mixologists are now treating it as both a serious ingredient and structural component in contemporary cocktails. Five leading beverage experts explore the trends, techniques and tannins driving this teatime with a difference.
6 experts on what’s brewing in the coffee industry
Behind every cup of coffee lies a world of craft, tradition and human connection. We caught up with six experts and judges from The World 100 Best Coffee Shops at CoffeeFest Madrid, and asked them to share their insights on the key issues shaping the industry today, from sourcing and science to storytelling. Here’s what they had to say.
5 executive chefs on passion, persistence and paying it forward
Buoyed by wellness shifts that champion the benefits of high-protein, low-carb eating, meat and poultry are riding high in supermarkets and restaurants. Three industry professionals explain how producers can meet today’s very different consumer demands, which include not only taste, but also values and aesthetics.
BBQ Bros signs landmark expansion deal across KSA and Jordan
From a single concept rooted in Lebanon, BBQ Bros has grown into an international lifestyle brand built around open-fire hospitality. Now, founder Mario Aoun is taking the brand into two dynamic regional markets through an ambitious partnership that marks a bold new chapter in the company’s story.
Balancing global expertise with local talent
When implemented in the right way, knowledge transfer delivers long-term benefits and growth all round. Mark Dickinson, founder of DONE! Hospitality Training Solutions, shares the lessons he has learned over the years about making these vital partnerships work.