Redefining hospitality with Said Daher, CEO of AZADEA
A prominent leader in the retail and hospitality sectors, Said Daher, CEO of AZADEA Group and co-founder of Lets Celebrate, is known for his strategic vision, Daher has expanded AZADEA’s regional footprint.
8 restaurateurs serve up the dining trends for 2025
Dynamic and diverse, the region’s vibrant restaurant scene is expanding at an impressive tempo across both mature and emerging destinations. Eight business leaders share their thoughts on everything industry-related, from promising markets to the tech innovations, sustainability practices and experiential dining trends that restaurateurs cannot afford to ignore.
How to create a culinary landmark
Duncan Fraser-Smith, founder of The Cutting Edge Hospitality Agency and author of “Create to Plate,” discusses restaurant trends in Saudi Arabia and the broader global trends impacting the industry.
Destination MENA: 9 restaurant franchises with regional potential
As one exciting year for international franchising comes to an end and another begins, Farrah Rose, head of international development at The Franchising Centre, takes a globe-trotting look at some of the restaurant concepts causing a stir worldwide, from poke to Parisian pastries.
The Ritz-Carlton Cairo set to open in 2027
Marriott International Inc. has signed an agreement with Palm Hills Developments to open The Ritz-Carlton Cairo, Palm Hills.
A brief encounter with serial entrepreneur Haider Madani
Haider Madani, owner of CASSETTE and NETTE Dubai, has an insatiable appetite for great food, music and art. Here, he describes his journey and future plans.
Café BRIX Dubai set to open in September
The Lab Holding has announced the group’s newest addition, Café BRIX, which is set to open in September at the idyllic Jumeirah Fishing Harbour Dubai.
Redefining the gastronomic scene one restaurant at a time
With a plethora of new restaurant openings, the Middle East’s gastronomic scene is flourishing; some homegrown brands are even venturing further into Europe.
A greener picture of BOCA with Omar Shihab, founder and chief sustainability officer of BOCA restaurant
Omar Shihab, founder and chief sustainability officer of BOCA restaurant, is a versatile professional, who has taken on various roles in the hospitality industry. He has led a team of skilled chefs, managers, designers and experts to create exceptional hospitality concepts in the Gulf. A passionate advocate for sustainability, local sourcing and innovative dining experiences, Shihab has introduced several sustainability initiatives at BOCA, including waste reduction and local sourcing. He has been recognized for his efforts, winning the Gault&Millau UAE 2022 Sustainability Champion award, and is also an advisor to the UAE Restaurant Group and represents Food Made Good UAE, Thriving Solutions and Azraq.
Optimizing restaurant financial performance
The restaurant industry is highly competitive, with rising costs, fluctuating consumer behavior and changing market dynamics. To generate sustainable revenue and optimize profitability, restaurateurs are increasingly turning to revenue management strategies, according to Rohit Sachdev, CEO of Soho Hospitality.