Culinary champions cracking the region’s F&B scene OCTOBER 2021 AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION Rise to ShineAdvancing Your Ambitions maxx. just right. You have big plans and success depends on many factors: The right concept, the right time and the right products. With the Convotherm maxx we give you the combi oven that ts your business. The Convotherm maxx o ers you everything you need at a great price. Not too much, not too little. Just right. Maximize your opportunities with the new Convotherm maxx.In this issue 3 October 2021 caterermiddleeast.com Specials 16 Expo 2020 Dubai is here and with it, a whole lot of culinary talent. We run down the basics 22 Our bumper round-up of all the pictures and winners from the Caterer Middle East Awards 2022 We pro le the winners Longchim is coming to Expo ON THE MENUIn this issue caterermiddleeast.com October 2021 4 The new Al Safadi This month's mix master Fibber Magee's delivering the classics Mains 6 Trending 10 Careers 46 Mix masters 48 Instant classic 50 Secret serviceEditor's Letter 5 October 2021 caterermiddleeast.com Hello, When we held the Caterer Middle East Awards in November 2020 there was a huge sense of relief in the air. After months of enforced closures (and let’s not forget a pandemic to deal with), we were back in a room together to celebrate. Looking back now, as essential as it seemed to hold the event for everyone, us included, the industry wasn’t quite ready. But. Fast-forward nine months and the world seems, and is, a very different place. This year’s Caterer Awards could not have felt more different. More alive. More celebratory. A record number of people and venues entered. The event saw its biggest attendance in its 12-year history. The industry truly felt ready to celebrate. And celebrate you did. In these pages you’ll read more about the night and the winners, and see how it unfolded . I can’t wait to do it all again next year. Bigger and better once more. Paul Clifford, group editor Published by and © 2021 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC 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. 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 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 Advertising Manager Richard Mobbs Tel: +971 4 444 3592 email: richard.mobbs@itp.com International Sales Manager Amanda Stewart Tel: +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, Fritz John Asuro, Ajith Narendra Production & Distribution Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Production Manager Basel Al Kassem Production Coordinator Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Circulation Distribution and Circulation Manager Evijin Pathrose Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Marketing Director of Awards and Marketing Daniel Fewtrell ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Daviescaterermiddleeast.com October 2021 6 Don’t let Al Sada ’s new modern look fool you, the brand has stayed true to its founding tenants of authenticity and simplicity for more than 20 years. The new Motor City outpost is no exception, with Safadi himself promising the same Shortlisted as one of the best Lebanese restaurants at this year’s Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards, and highly commended the previous year, Al Safadi has shown that fuss-free dining still has its place in Dubai’s evolving gastronomic industry. The family-run restaurant chain has been ying the Lebanese ag since the turn of the century, and is now looking to do the same at its fth location in Dubai Motor City. The restaurant – which shows off Al Safadi’s new brand image – has 280 covers over indoor and outdoor areas. It also boasts its own rooftop terrace for shisha, though non-smokers are also more than welcome on the rooftop. To hear what spurred the launch of a fth Al Safadi, we spoke to chief operating of cer of Al Safadi Restaurants, Fadi Safadi. He said: “We saw that none of our branches is of proximity to the highly populated Motor City and the communities surrounding it such as Sports City, Arabian Ranches, Dubai Hills, JVC and JVT, creating an obvious opportunity to ll that gap. “It will bring newer clients, especially newcomers to Dubai who are residing in the communities around. As for our existing clients in this area, bringing Al Safadi to their neighbourhood makes us con dent that we’ll be seeing them more often. It will become their ‘local’ Al Safadi, more accessible, thus encouraging more frequent visits.” The Lebanese brand’s new branch has a refreshed look WHAT’S HOT... “It’s all about seeting the right atmosphere for diners“ Al Safadi, Dubai Motor City dining experience that has made the brand such a hit. He added: “Diners must feel welcome and comfortable as soon as they step foot inside and our front of house staff are rigorously instructed on how to deliver a friendly welcome without being gushing. It’s all about setting the right atmosphere and putting diners at their ease. “Sticking to the basics of the Lebanese cuisine and not following trends that fade away quickly. It has been shown time and time again that traditional 7 October 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 PPPPrPPrPr lalaalaliininineeeeeeeeee e eee FiFiF nggngererere 9999900g00g0g Ultra indulgent pure butter viennese pastries in a practical format with generous toppings and visible fillings ! Chocolate Finger 90g recipes and dishes are the ones that stand the test of time. Altering dishes to make them trendier just doesn’t work. They may make a splash for a short time but then quickly fall by the wayside in favour of the time-honoured recipes that your grandparents would recognise and approve of.” With Dubai Motor City being a growing community, Al Safadi has certainly planted its ag in the right place. Here to another 20 years. caterermiddleeast.com October 2021 8 NEWSNEWS By the time this magazine is in your hands, copies of Time Out Riyadh will also be in circulation. Time Out Riyadh shines an inimitable spotlight on the very best things to do in one of the most exciting and rapidly developing cities in the region, through dedicated Arabic and English websites, social handles and monthly magazines. From upcoming events to anonymous, expert restaurant reviews, sport and tness activities to beauty trends, kids’ entertainment, movie previews and the latest in gaming – if it’s happening, you’ll hear about it rst in Time Out Riyadh. Time Out Riyadh launches LAUNCH Jumeirah is introducing 13 new and revamped restaurants and bars in Dubai. One of them is a licensed venue in Souk Madinat Jumeirah in partnership with popular pitmaster Hattem Mattar. The Hide, at Jumeirah Al Qasr, gets a new look, while Koubba Bar becomes Bar Buci, a Parisian jazz bar. The hotel’s French Riviera venue will get a beachfront deck, La Plage. The big news from the hotel is that the award-winning Al Nafoorah restaurant will open. At Jumeirah Beach Hotel, La Parilla will transform into modern brasserie Bastion, one oor beneath it, Floor 24, will be a rooftop cocktail bar, paying homage to Dubai’s oceanside location. Burj Al Arab will see Junsui get a new look, while Gold RESTAURANT NEWS on 27 will come back with a new name and an alchemy themed cocktail menu, complete with its own drinks laboratory. Very little has been revealed about Al Mahara’s new concept, except to say it will be a decadent ‘ sh club’.Over at Mina A’Salam, Zheng He’s will get a new look, with a more affordable price point, while Shimmers has an extended deck and Bahri gets a Spice Route-theme. Jumeirah plans 13 new and revamped restaurants9 October 2021 caterermiddleeast.com Mayabay Dubai coming this year www.delameredairy.co.ukwww.delameredairy.co.uk For more information and stockists, For more information and stockists, please contact sales@delameredairy.co.ukplease contact sales@delameredairy.co.uk 97ml cows’ milk in a glass bottle97ml cows’ milk in a glass bottle (1.5% fat)(1.5% fat) New Designed for hotel room trays and fridges Ambient product from UK company. 2-3 portions of milk in 1 bottle creating less plastic waste, when compared to single serve portions. Resealable cap for easy reuse. On trend glass bottle provides a premium looking product. Fully recyclable glass bottle and lid. Perfect for hot drinks and cereals. UKUK companycompany Delamere>Middle Eastern Caterer mag.indd 129/09/2021 09:34 NEW OPENING Orange Hospitality has announced its latest restaurant, a Japanese-Thai venue called Mayabay Dubai. It will be based at Jumeirah Al Naseem, home to the group’s successful Il Borro restaurant. The Mayabay brand originated in Monaco, and is part of Maya Collection. The Monaco-based hospitality group operates restaurants and hotels that include Maya Jah, Maya Mia, Maya Altitude and Refuge de la Traye. How Chef Middle East is managing supply chain challenges The pandemic has tremendously impacted the foodservice industry with distinct challenges that led to increased uncertainty across the global supply chain. Several learnings are already clear for suppliers, distributors, and operators and it is crucial for organisations to shift strategies and explore new ways to reshape their supply chain with ultimate agility and resilience. Alwin Andrews, head of commercial at Chef Middle East said: “The pandemic has exposed continued vulnerability with a risk for the whole value chain through long term supply disruptions with the Suez Canal blockage adding fuel to the re, in ation, unavailability of preferred products; particularly in the GCC region where food security has long been an issue due to being heavily dependent on imports to meet and maintain optimum supply in the face of growing demand.” Arindam Das, senior procurement manager at Chef Middle East added: “We are constantly observing the global situation and the imminent challenges to take necessary actions proactively. While the inventory cover is extensively stretched, capacity seems to be to the brink which led us to book space in 3PL to facilitate and ensure an optimum inventory level. The traditional way of demand planning is no longer in place, rather it needs a lot of precision, initiatives, and aptitude in addition to market knowledge, foresight and rapid understanding of the changes in trends.” Andrews concluded: “Steering away from the conventional methods of forecasting and buying, demand and supply planning management is the biggest shift the business has taken to run an optimised supply chain at Chef Middle East. Regular interaction with industry experts, supply and logistics partners, thoroughly assessing and monitoring food commodity indexes and most importantly continued communication with customers and suppliers help make a difference.” The distributor is ready to welcome the Expo 2020 in UAE and the FIFA 2022 in Qatar, to cater to the market requirements through product availability across different categories. The team has been planning for these awaited events for months and will be supplying many pavilions and existing restaurants in Dubai and foodservice operators in Qatar with top-quality ingredients and plenty of culinary inspiration to celebrate these major global events. PARTNER CONTENTNext >