MAY 2021 VOL 17 ISSUE 05 AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION Plating to win Orange Hospitality’s Omar Saideh on operating Dubai’s best restaurant – and taking it globalIn this issue 3 May 2021 caterermiddleeast.com Specials 20 As Orange Hospitality continues to pick up awards for its venues, Omar Saideh tell us what's next 26 Run entirely by women, Fi’lia stands out from the crowd, but is that enough in Dubai? The all-female team at Fi'lia Omar Saideh ON THE MENUIn this issue caterermiddleeast.com May 2021 4 Mains 06 Trending 34 Spotlight 44 Mix masters 50 Kitchen con dential D3's latest addition The Host Check out ZETA Seventy Seven Pineapple-inspired drinksEditor's Letter 5 May 2021 caterermiddleeast.com Hello, It’s hard to reach the top. It’s even harder to stay there. While one win could be classed as a fluke, there’s nothing lucky about winning Time Out Dubai’s Best Restaurant Award three times in five years. That’s what Il Borro Tuscan Bistro achieved in March, with the jewel in the Orange Hospitality crown once more showcasing why it is the restaurant of choice for those looking for a special experience in the UAE. The man behind it, Omar Saideh, leads Orange Hospitality with a single-minded vision focusing on quality and excellence. In 2021, that vision truly comes to life, with four new venues launching as the company goes international. As well as taking Il Borro to London, Dubai will be getting a taste of Paris with new concept Josette. It’s a fresh challenge for Saideh, but if he approaches it with the same conviction he did with Il Borro, we don’t doubt it will be a success. Simon Ritchie, editor 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. Published by and © 2021 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC MEDIA 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 Martin Chambers Group Editor Paul Cliff ord Editorial Editor Simon Ritchie Tel: +971 4 444 3550 email: simon.ritchie@itp.com Deputy Editor Kohinoor Sahota Tel: +971 4 444 3384 email: kohinoor.sahota@itp.com Reporter Josh Corder Tel: +971 4 444 3358 email: josh.corder@itp.com Advertising Commercial Director Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 email: sally.whittam@itp.com Sales Executive James Sperring Tel: +971 4 444 3477 email: james.sperring@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 Art Editor Gerald Du Designer Junemar Tulipas Photography Senior Photographers Efraim Evidor, Adel Rashid Staff Photographers Aasiya Jagadeesh, Ajith Narendra, Fritz John Asuro Production & Distribution Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Production Manager Basel Al Kassem Production Coordinator Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Circulation Distribution & Warehouse Manager Praveen Nair Marketing Director of Awards and Marketing Daniel Fewtrell ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Daviescaterermiddleeast.com May 2021 6 TRENDING7 May 2021 caterermiddleeast.com A moveable feast What exactly is the The Host: Catering and Culinary Studio? By Kohinoor Sahota Is it a restaurant? A catering company? Community hangout? It’s The Host – all of those things and more. After opening at the start of the year in Dubai’s Design District, it has shown how being exible can be the key to a company’s success. With a large communal table, a chocolate counter and an open kitchen, the D3 spot has a relaxed vibe. While the Insta-friendly swing means it is photo- ready for social media exposure. The venue is part of Atelier House Hospitality’s stable and is owned by six Emirati women. Manging director Panchali Mahendra said: “A lot of places have great food, but the unique selling proposition for me is that this is an amalgamation of so many fun aspects. You don’t know if it’s a dining hall, living room, restaurant or backyard.” When we visited the new venue it was lled with Emiratis. Every table on the outdoor terrace was occupied and there were people waiting to be seated. Mahendra said: “The owners are powerful in their own way and so well connected. They know everyone around the region and not just the city. So after their networks found out about this amazing place, they wanted to come and visit.” The concept for The Host started back at the end of 2019 and it was scheduled to open in 2020. Covid-19, however, had other plans. But the delay hasn’t hampered business, instead it has caused it to evolve. It was originally supposed to be a catering unit cooking local cuisine and delivering food, from sandwiches to salads, to people in the area. Mahendra said: “I thought, why don’t we make this a cool project that’s more than a catering kitchen. We had the space, so it went from a catering kitchen to a catering and culinary studio. It initially had a creative side with a photography studio. That’s the reason for the name.” Today, people may come for the chocolate and Fiks Coffee but they stay for the panna cotta, crème caramel and tiramisu. The transformation has clearly paid off, as it serves up to 500 customers a day. Mahendra added: “When people came to the space, we realised they were expecting it to be more like a café and restaurant. The footfall we’ve had since opening has been humungous. “Initially, there were a lot of eyebrows raised – why Dubai Design District? People had questions, as it’s very of ce- orientated and after 6pm businesses close down. Over the past year and a half since Covid-19, it has become a huge hangout place, especially for the locals. There are already great brands and the locals know about this area.” It’s rare to nd women as the entire driving force behind restaurants in Dubai, especially Emirati women, but the whole concept has been female-led. While the women have no desire to be in the limelight, the marketing team, photographer and, of course, Mahendra – who worked on the conceptualisation, pre-opening and management – have all been women. Mahendra says: “They are powerful women and they are working with another woman. We felt proud that it was a female-dominated project. I take a lot of pride in talking about it.” “We’re proud that this is a female-led project“caterermiddleeast.com May 2021 8 Talabat says it will have 300 female drivers on its staff by the end of 2021. There are currently 14 female delivery drivers in Talabat, working across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. However, across the wider company, women account for 67 percent of marketing roles, 43 percent of the sales force and 40 percent of management positions. Jérémy Doutté, vice president UAE at Talabat said the rm will hire at least one new female rider per day until the end of the year. He added: “At Talabat, we pride ourselves for being a diverse organisation that takes large steps towards gender parity, empowering women to be change-makers across our many different departments. This is in addition to breaking stereotypes in traditionally male-dominated areas and creating new opportunities, most recently by introducing women to our riders eet in the UAE. A new hospitality company, Emerald Hospitality Group, has launched in the UAE to bring a popular Irish pub chain to the country. Originally from Donegal, Ireland, McCafferty’s will open in the summer at Circle Mall in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC). The rst branch opened in 2016 and has since expanded across Ireland, into the UK and Spain and now to the UAE. The 12,000 sq ft venue will open on the rooftop of the mall, with a big terrace as well as a traditional interior. Declan Boyle, CEO of Emerald Hospitality is the man behind McCafferty’s and he owns and operates more than 35 pubs since opening his rst in 1994 (he’s also a championship- winning rally driver). He said: “We can’t wait to bring McCafferty’s to the JVC community in Dubai. It’s going to be something really special and unique for the emirate. Guests can expect to be transported to a real Irish pub with authentic antiques, old telephone boxes, signs and even Honda 50 motorcycles.” It sounds like it won’t be the last McCafferty’s we see in the country, either. Boyle adds: “We have huge expansion plans for the region and we can’t wait to unveil our rst venue early this summer”. Known for live music, the bar will have entertainment once it’s allowed, sport on big screens and a menu of Irish classics, with ingredients such as steak, potatoes and sh coming from Ireland. Roberto’s to open outlets in Oman and Qatar Talabat UAE to hire 300 female drivers in 2021 FINE-DINING New Irish pub opens CASUAL DINING NEWS DELIVERY DIFC stalwart Roberto’s has announced it will be opening new outlets in Oman and Qatar. The operator, Skelmore Hospitality Group, has entered a partnership with Qatar-based Alfardan Hospitality to open the two new outlets, located in The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl in Doha and The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat. Andrea Sacchi, COO of Skelmore Hospitality Partners: “Roberto’s seeks to impact each new market we enter by offering a feast for the senses. We are excited to partner with the renown Alfardan Hospitality Group, together we have ensured that Roberto’s has an incomparable platform to call our home as we prepare to launch our trademark style and services into new markets.” There’s also set to be an Amman location opening in October this year within the Ritz-Carlton Hotel there. Roberto’s entered Dubai in 2012, led by chief culinary of cer Enrico Bartolini and opened in Abu Dhabi in 2016.9 March 2021 caterermiddleeast.com Maxi Fingers Phot o cr edits: A point Studio – Non-binding phot os www.bridor.com exportsales@groupeleduff.com NEW Apples and cinnamon Finger 90g Praline Finger 90g to cr edits: A point Studio – Non-binding phot os PPPrPrPr llalaaliiineeeeeeeeeeeee e eee FiFingngngererrre 99999990g0gg0gg0gggg0gg0g00g Ultra indulgent pure butter viennese pastries in a practical format with generous toppings and visible fillings ! Chocolate Finger 90gNext >