A “Gourmandise Raisonnée” with ART-chitects of taste Frédéric Bau and Pierre Hermé
Always taking things up a notch, Valrhona invited two titans of the culinary scene, Pierre Hermé and Frédéric Bau, to a week of fine pastry, innovation and expertise in Dubai. In the presence of international Cercle V chefs from Morocco, Tunisia, Qatar, Oman, KSA, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE, Frédéric Bau and Pierre Hermé showcased a new way to thinking pastry around Bau’s latest book, titled “Reasoned Gourmandise,” which explores the fundamentals of a healthy and harmonious pastry that respects the flavors and textures of the great classics. In a joint interview, Frédéric Bau and Pierre Hermé tell us about their exciting collaboration and Valrhona’s role in it all.
Discussing culinary trends with Thomas Kyritsis, Le Cordon Bleu
Le Cordon Bleu is the leading global network of culinary arts and hospitality management institutes. Offering a range of widely recognized training programs in the fields of gastronomy, wine, hospitality and tourism, this 125-year-old institution is leading the way in industry-related education. Here, Dr. Thomas Kyritsis, the school’s program director of culinary industry management (BBA) and culinary innovation management (MSc), discusses culinary trends.
Sami Khoueiri: not an average restaurateur
Spiced and Sliced is a fast-casual chain of shawarma restaurants combining authentic shawarma recipes with unique flavors and modern interior design. Sami Khoueiri, the firm’s CEO, shares details of the concept with us and explains why it suits the franchise model.
TGI Fridays reopens its doors at Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai
TGI Fridays is a leading casual dining restaurant in the region, with restaurants across Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, KSA and UAE.
The Paris connection: Lebanese concepts in the French capital
The economic crisis in Lebanon has forced many Lebanese restaurateurs to chase new opportunities for their brands abroad, away from soaring inflation rates and political instability. Nagi Morkos, founding and managing partner at Hodema consulting services, tells us more about the Lebanese concepts that have made their way to the French capital.
The world’s first sustainable eating NFTs debut in Dubai
Linking art to sustainable eating and drinking, four talented Dubai-based artists created the eye-catching NFT collection.
Rabih Fakhreddine: taking over the region
Rabih Fakhreddine has always had a passion for the food and entertainment industry, opening his first oasis of music and cuisine, Seven Sisters, in Beirut in 2015 and forming 7 Management soon after. He went on to develop 10 food, beverage and entertainment concepts, affirming his position as an F&B trendsetter.
Bistrot90 is now open at Fairmont Dubai
At Bistrot90, Italian head chef Umberto Esposto crafted a menu comprising pastas, risottos and pinzas, as well as other specialities.












Five minutes with Laurent Damiens
Laurent Damiens, COO of CNIEL, discusses how the organization is serving the French dairy industry and what’s happening in the market.