Five minutes with Walid Merhi, co-owner and manager of Ferdinand Gastrobar
Walid Merhi co-owns and manages Ferdinand Gastrobar, leads the beverage program in Baky Hospitality– Egypt and owns a consultancy firm abroad. By farming his own produce, he has used his culinary heritage, terroir and passion to create a unique style through which he celebrates Lebanon’s seasons and legacy, making his name inseparable from the ever-evolving cocktail bar scene at home and abroad.Walid Merhi co-owns and manages Ferdinand Gastrobar, leads the beverage program in Baky Hospitality– Egypt and owns a consultancy firm abroad. By farming his own produce, he has used his culinary heritage, terroir and passion to create a unique style through which he celebrates Lebanon’s seasons and legacy, making his name inseparable from the ever-evolving cocktail bar scene at home and abroad.
SCAFA – a vocational institute leaving its mark on the Middle East
SCAFA, the School of Culinary and Finishing Arts in Dubai, is the largest vocational institute in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Zaigham Abdul Haque, SCAFA’s CEO, discusses talent in the Emirates and providing education to world-class chefs.
Franchising: a new perspective on an old business model
Is a new kind of franchising emerging? Daniel During, principal and managing director of Thomas Klein International, believes there is, and provides some interesting case studies to prove it.
Lebanese entrepreneurship at its best
The expansion of Lebanese brands into foreign markets should not be underestimated. Ralph Nader, CEO of Amber Consulting, highlights the growth of this trend and which brands are taking the leap.
5 questions with “The Demon Chef”
HN caught up with chef Alvin Leung to hear more about his future plans, including the The Demon Duck in Dubai.
Eclectic Japanese food with prodigy chef Reif Othman
Award-winning chef Reif Othman, owner of the Reif Japanese Kushiyaki restaurant brand, is known for his witty, trendsetting culinary style. Here, he tells us about his latest collaboration with Baky Hospitality and his future projects.
Ant Ventures’ ambitious expansion
Roy Maroun, COO of Ant Ventures Worldwide, a hospitality group famous for Casper & Gambini’s, as well as Bab Idris, Tarator and Caspresso Café, talks about expansion, success and why adaptability is essential to the sustainability of any business.
13 chefs’ favorite heavy-duty kitchen
We asked 13 chefs to name their favorite heavy-duty kitchen item and new equipment they are using. Take a look at what they said.
Making sense of the Manchise model
Manchising is a unique business model that’s well suited to hotel owners who are looking for more flexibility or an independent hotelier seeking the support of a well-known brand. Christian Salloum, founder and managing director of BrandPortunity, guides us through this brand management concept and outlines the pros and cons for investors.