Franchise: +130 concepts to watch
HN takes you on a whistle-stop tour of 130+ successful food concepts in the Middle East and beyond, reaffirming what we already knew – that the franchise model is as powerful today as ever.
Fidel Cigars celebrates its 10-year anniversary
After the massive success of its first edition of Sunset Ash in 2019, Fidel Cigars, Lebanon’s most popular cigar and single malt lounge and bar, commemorated its 10-year anniversary on July 2, 2021, with the launch of its second edition of Sunset Ash event in collaboration with Oliva Cigars. The event took place at the beautiful sunset bar of Beit Misk, in the hills above Beirut.
USD 27 billion worth of hotel investments in the GCC pipeline
As per AHIC’s report, most of these are big tourism investments in KSA led by the Red Sea Project, NEOM, Amaala, Diriyah Gate and Al-Ula.
Le Cordon Bleu to open an institute in Riyadh by the end of 2023
Le Cordon Bleu will also propose a program dedicated to Saudi Arabian cuisine, to highlight the local ingredients, flavors and gastronomy.
AUB wraps up a series of webinars on the Middle East’s restaurant sector
A unique series of six webinars was recently launched to shed light on how restaurateurs from Lebanon and the region are breaking through to grow their businesses abroad. Organized by AUB, OSB, Khaddit Beirut, the Lebanese Business Council in Kuwait, and in collaboration with the RNCP Syndicate and HORECA Live, the virtual series kicked off on June 8 with a discussion on entering new markets in the GCC and MENA region.
HORECA Oman to debut in May 2022
HORECA, one of the Middle East’s largest hospitality and foodservice exhibitions, is set to host its first edition in Oman from May 31 to June 2, 2022. Organized by Hospitality Services, a Beirut-based large-scale event organizer, and Al Nimr Expo, HORECA Oman will feature an exhibition of products, services, equipment and technologies, delivering key buyers to Oman’s hospitality and food and beverage service sectors.
Will vaccines and digital solutions help the easing of travel restrictions?
Restrictions apply to fully vaccinated passengers, and 17 percent of destinations mention vaccinated passengers in their regulations.
Sandy Hayek at the helm of Time Out Market Dubai
Sandy Hayek is a woman of many talents. With a career spanning more than 15 years, she is not only an F&B operator but also a passionate sommelier. Having worked in Sweden and the UAE, where she has held senior positions at a number of award-winning dining and retail concepts including La Serre Bistro & Boulangerie in Downtown Dubai and Galeries Lafayette, she recently began a new chapter as the GM of Time Out Market Dubai, a new food hall. We learn more about her new role.
The kitchen’s hottest rising stars
One thing’s for sure: the Middle East is bursting at the seams with talented chefs who are making their culinary mark. We turned up the heat and spoke to some of the brightest stars in the kitchen to learn more about their experiences at home and abroad.
Exclusive report: Magical Morocco
For many travelers, a holiday represents a dreamlike escape. Rishabh Thapar, director of HVS’s Middle East and Africa team, tells us why Morocco is hitting all the high notes with explorers looking for something a little different.