@CatererMEwww.caterermiddleeast.com Serving the region’s catering professionalsDecember 2019 • Vol 15 • Issue 12 An ITP Media Group Publication The most infl uential people in the Middle East’s F&B scene tering professionalsDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeecember REALIZE YOUR IDEAS WITH FLEXILIGENCE BLANCO COOK – intelligent solutions for fl exible cooking www.blanco-cook.com NEW/03 ContentsDECEMBER 2019 For the latest news and stories go to www.caterermiddleeast.com 04 News Dubai-based chef Gary Rhodes dies at 59; Emirati chef Khaled Al Saadi opens new restaurant at Dubai Mall. 10 Head-to-Head: Maiz Tacos The husband and wife team behind Maiz Tacos which has gone from food truck to permanent JLT location tell us how they do it. 12 Power 50 It’s that time of year again, as Caterer Middle East highlights the 50 people who have made the biggest impact on F&B in the Mid- dle East over the past 12 months. Through fi ve diff erent categories you’ll discover the disruptors and innovators who are making waves in the region. 38 Supplier News All the latest news, products, and informa- tion from the region’s top suppliers. 41 Drink 360°: Gimlet Provencal La Petite Maison assistant head bartender Denis Pashkov tells us how to make a gimlet Provencal with help from Giff ard Menthe Pastille. 42 Gulfood Manufacturing Machinery, equipment, and ingredient sup- pliers descended on Dubai World Trade Centre for Gulfood Manufacturing. Over 35,000 people from over 100 countries attended. 44 Top Suppliers of 2020 Caterer Middle East profi les some of the top suppliers to look out for in the coming 12 months. Are you working with them yet? 55 New Products Check out some of the hottest new products on the market. 56 Ingredient Focus We take an in-depth look at issues aff ecting the chocolate industry. 58 Last Bite Michelin star winning chef Giorgio Lo- catelli dropped into Dubai to check on his restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm. Download now for iOS, Android & Kindle 58 41 10 12 42 Volume 15 Issue 12 www.caterermiddleeast.com Contents December 2019 | Caterer Middle East /03Dubai-based chef Gary Rhodes dies aged 59 The British chef had Rhodes W1 at Dubai’s Grosvenor House hotel and just-closed RhodesTwenty10 British chef Gary Rhodes has died in Dubai aged 59. The chef, whose restaurants won Mi- chelin stars in the UK in the 1990s, had worked in Dubai for many years and ran the Rhodes W1 restaurant at the Grosve- nor House hotel and Rhodes Twenty10 at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa which had been closed since September. His family released a statement con- firming the news: “The Rhodes fam- ily are deeply saddened to announce the passing of beloved husband, father and brother, Gary Rhodes OBE. “Gary passed away last evening, Tues- day 26th November 2019, at the age of 59, with his beloved wife Jennie by his side. “The family would like to thank every- one for their support and ask for privacy during this time.” Rhodes rose to widespread fame as a TV chef including spells hosting Mas- terChef in the UK and the USA, and was well-known for his spiky hairstyle. Grosvenor House and Le Royal Meri- dien Beach Resort and Spa also released a statement: "The team at Grosvenor House Dubai and Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa are devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Chef Gary Rhodes OBE. "Not only has the industry lost a true cu- linary legend, we have also lost an inspira- tional human being and a very dear friend. "No words can express our sadness at Gary’s death or our gratitude for the op- portunity to work with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rhodes family." The celebrity chef also had a partner- ship with Vox Cinemas for which he had created a Theatre by Rhodes menu. Jamie Oliver commented on Insta- gram: “Sadly chef Gary Rhodes OBE passed away. My heart felt sympathies to his wife, kids, friends and family, sending love and thoughts... Gary was a fantastic chef and incredible ambassador for Brit- ish cooking, he was a massive inspiration to me as a young chef. He reimagined modern British cuisine with elegance and fun. Rest in peace chef.” His family has revealed that Rhodes died following a fall at his home that led to a fatal head injury. For daily breaking news of the F&B and hospitality industry, visit CatererMiddleEast.com www.caterermiddleeast.com 04/ News December 2019 Caterer Middle East | December 201922/10/2019 15:07 TMPHOTO OF THE MONTH: Nando's Dubai Mall has portraits by South African artist Dion Cupido as the centrepiece of its aesthetic. THE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS FROM CATERER MIDDLE EAST’S ONLINE HOME, WWW.CATERERMIDDLEEAST.COM MOST READ STORIES 1. Chef consultant gives her top 10 UAE menu trends for 2020. 2. Saltbae burger restaurant opening in DIFC. 3. New Mexican restaurant set to open in Dubai's Business Bay. 4. White Beach and Restaurant set to open in Dubai. 5. Hilton's Conrad Dubai bolsters mock- tail menu for Dubai fi tness challenge. DID YOU KNOW? The new concept from Singaporean chef Reif Othman made waves when he revealed the return of his The Experience chef’s table, and now it’s also introducing a Japanese-style weekend breakfast. Reif Japanese Kushiyaki’s new ‘wa cho shoku’ breakfast includes a selection of six bento breakfast trays and is available from December 6 at the Dar Wasl Mall restaurant. Options include the yasai raman gozen meal with thin udon noodles, mushroom dashi, fried egg, and iceberg wafu; Reif’s Singa- porean nasi lemak with fried chicken wings, sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, fried egg, and kaya toast; and his version of avocado toast with fork-mashed avocado, tamago, thick bread, and yuzu yoghurt granola chai. NUMBER CRUNCH 70,249 page views Nov 01 - Nov 27 2019 (Google Analytics) FIVE MINUTES WITH… GIUSEPPE BARBERO What is your earliest food memory? My food memory is associated with home cooking, especially that of my mother. I remember spending lots of time together in the kitchen, learning tips that I still use now. What inspired you to become a chef? I started doing this job at a very young age. Everyone starts in the kitchen as a commis chef, then with tenacity and luck I became a chef. I always enjoyed cooking and had a such a deep passion that I never got bored. New ideas come to me daily and it’s amazing to create dishes and recipes for people. How would you describe your culinary style? My cooking style is very personal, I cook the things that I love. I always follow the seasons and respect the natural products. Truffle season is one of my favourite seasons, the freshest and most natural truffles create the most incredible tastes in my dishes. I don’t tend to overcomplicate things, letting the ingredients work their magic on the taste buds. What has been your proudest moment as a chef? Fortunately, I’ve experienced many proud moments through the years. To be asked to cook my dishes for guests and receiving a smile from them is already honour enough. Master of truffl e Giuseppe Barbero hosted two dinners at Roberto’s in the UAE in November. Caterer Middle East grabbed him for a quick chat It really is the most incredible feeling. Why is Alba the white truffl e capital of the world? Alba was the first to value the truffle with an international truffle fair, having the best quality truffles. Paired with wine from the region, it has succeeded in creating a winning combination that brings growing tourism to the area. What’s the key to cooking with truffl e? The key to cooking truffles is to combine them with products with non- aggressive flavours. The truffle has very delicate aromas with many notes, the secret is to get them out. What will be the key trends in the restaurant industry over the coming years? In my opinion, in the coming years the trend of food will be linked to the theme of the environment. Respect for the raw materials, less wastage, perhaps cooking with more love and focus on taste rather than the presentation. News December 2019 www.caterermiddleeast.com 06/ Caterer Middle East | December 2019EMIRATI CHEF KHALED AL SAADI OPENS NEW RESTAURANT MICRO BY PAPPAROTI AT DUBAI MALL WITH ENTREPRENEUR RASHA AL DANHANI One of the most celebrated young Emirati chefs has opened a new restaurant at Dubai Mall. Khaled Al Saadi, who recently collaborated with Boca DIFC for a special Emirati menu, has opened Micro by PappaRoti. Serving modern international cuisine with an Asian twist, it’s a collaboration with Emirati entrepreneur Rasha Al Danhani, the owner of the master franchise of PappaRoti, and is part of the global chain famous for its coffee-caramel buns. Micro by PappaRoti will serve international cuisine with an Asian twist and a new take on the PappaRoti bun The concept of Micro was born from the idea to bring something new to the UAE’s culinary scene for PappaRoti’s 10th anniversary, and with its bold and vibrant interiors and chef Khaled’s fresh menu, it hopes to do that. “Micro’s menu has been carefully crafted to ensure a right balance in variety. Every single dish is a perfect fusion of delectable flavours and textures” said Khaled. The PappaRoti bun has also been revamped and positioned as a dessert and is served with different flavoured fillings. “Micro is aimed at allowing people to sample more dishes and experience a wide variety of flavours through small portions of food. Benefiting from its prime location in Fashion Avenue at The Dubai Mall, Micro is carving a niche for its customers with its delicious offerings,” said Al Danhani. 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News December 2019 www.caterermiddleeast.com /07 December 2019 | Caterer Middle East Published by and © 2019 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve Publishing Director Martin Chambers Editorial Editor Simon Ritchie Tel: +971 4 444 3550 email: simon.ritchie@itp.com Advertising Sales Manager Emma Barnett Tel: +971 4 444 3115 email: emma.barnett@itp.com International Sales Manager Amanda Stewart GSM: +44 7908 117 333 email: amanda.stewart@itp.com ITP Live General Manager Ahmad Bashour Tel: +971 4 444 3549, email: ahmad.bashour@itp.com Studio Assistant Designer Rita Ghantous Photography Senior Photographers Efraim Evidor, Adel Rashid Staff Photographers Aasiya Jagadeesh, Ajith Narendra, Fritz John Asuro, Jessica Samson Cover Photo: Adel Rashid Production & Distribution Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Production Manager Basel Al Kassem Production Coordinator Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Circulation Head of Circulation Vanessa D'Souza Circulation Executive Loreta Regencia Marketing Director of Awards and Marketing Daniel Fewtrell Events Manager, Business Events Teri Dunstan ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS A CROWN? EDITOR’S LETTER Simon Ritchie DATES FOR THE DIARY... The Power 50 issue of Caterer Middle East is one of celebration. A celebration of another year of incredible success throughout the industry and across the region. But this year, that celebration is tinged with sadness at the loss of a chef who graced the Power 50, and even the front cover of the mag- azine, on several occasions. The death of Gary Rhodes came as a huge shock to not only the Middle East’s F&B com- munity, but the whole world’s. Tributes have poured in from top chefs from around the globe, all eff usive in their compliments about not only what an amazingly talented chef he was, but what an amazing person he was. I didn’t get a chance to meet him person- ally, but I know the impact he made on Brit- ish cuisine in the 90s and on the Dubai food scene latterly. If anyone in this year’s Power 50 can achieve half of what Rhodes achieved, they will have made a big diff erence to the world. We’ve broken from recent tradition and in- stead of using a conceptual cover to highlight the Power 50, I was delighted to have Izu Ani come into the studio and do a photoshoot in- spired by the famous Biggie Smalls image with the crown. Ani has had another incredible year and once more tops the chef category in the Pow- er 50. He was a touch hesitant to be pictured wearing the crown as he’s far too humble to describe himself in kingly terms, but I hope we got across his playful side in the image — and with the number of successful open- ings he has had, he is certainly the don of the Dubai restaurant scene. A new arrival to Dubai who swept to the top of his category was Michael Ellis. He’s been in the city less than a year but his impact has been instant, making widescale changes to Jumeirah Group’s F&B and perhaps making Duabi more attractive to his former employers at the Michelin Guide. The number of women on the list increased from four last year to seven this time. A solid jump but still disappointing. The infl uencers category however was 50% female and with a woman, Donna Benton, founder of The Enter- tainer and new investor in Sunset Hospitality Group, at number one which is a positive sight to see. We’ll strive to continue to make the Power 50 list a diverse and accurate representation of the region’s F&B industry, and I once more call upon our readers to highlight to us amazing talent they spot throughout the year. See you in 2020, where we have a rather large surprise in store for you… Simon Ritchie, editor Email: simon.ritchie@itp.com Tel: +971 4 444 3550 Twitter/Instagram: CatererME Facebook: CatererMiddleEast DECEMBER 9-11 SIAL Middle East ADNEC, Abu Dhabi www.sialme.com FEBRUARY 16-20,2020 Gulfood Dubai World Trade Centre www.gulfood.com MARCH 18, 2020 Caterer F&B Conference Grosvenor House www.caterermiddleeast.com APRIL 6-8,2020 GulfHost Dubai World Trade Centre www.gulfhost.ae MEDIA Editor’s Comment Volume 15 Issue 12 Caterer Middle East | December 2019 www.caterermiddleeast.com 08/Next >