Rising to the challenge with Bassam Zakaria of Dusit International
An award-winning hospitality professional with over two decades of experience at prestigious hotels across Europe and the Middle East, Bassam Zakaria is passionate about fostering teamwork, particularly in his current role as area general manager of Dusit International. We caught up with him to learn more about his responsibilities, how he handles challenges and the trends shaping decision making at Dusit.
Getting inspired by Saudi’s first female chef Mona Mosly
Mona Mosly has paved her own way in the culinary world, from being a judge on Top Chef to hosting the podcast Aala Tawlet Mona. As the owner of Sweet Atelier, she blends her love for food with a deep commitment to inspiring others, especially women, to follow their culinary dreams. In this interview, we uncover the challenges she’s overcome and her journey to becoming an inspiration to others.
Women leaders in hospitality with Maram Kokandi, hotel manager at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
Maram Kokandi, who achieved recognition as KSA’s first female general manager, is now hotel manager at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh. In this exclusive interview, she discusses the key challenges, opportunities and developments regarding women in hospitality leadership positions.
Welcoming Mama Shelter Dubai with general manager Monica Metzger
Dubai’s hospitality scene recently welcomed Mama Shelter, a trendy and vibrant hospitality brand known for its eclectic and fun approach to the hotel experience. Here, Monica Metzger, general manager of Mama Shelter Dubai, explains how the hotel effortlessly blends the brand’s bold spirit with the local culture.
Forging IHG’s success in the region with Haitham Mattar, MD for IMEA at IHG
As a seasoned business leader with extensive experience in driving growth and innovation across various sectors, Haitham Mattar is known for his leadership roles in the travel and tourism industry, particularly his work at the helm of global organizations in the Middle East and beyond. We caught up with him at the newly opened voco Beirut, an IHG property, to learn about IHG’s growth strategy, its focus on sustainability, digital transformation and brand expansion.
Getting to know James Knight-Pacheco, co-founder of Group JKP
With over 20 years of culinary expertise, James Knight-Pacheco has worked alongside world-renowned chefs, including Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines. His television appearances on the BBC have further cemented his reputation in the culinary world. We explore Knight-Pacheco’s journey, driven by innovation, mentorship and a passion for storytelling, and his responsibilities as co-founder of Group JKP, a leading hospitality consultancy firm.
Get to know Tripadvisor with senior key manager Ahmed Madkor
Ahmed Madkor, senior key account manager of TripAdvisor, discusses its place in the travel equation, the travel trends and its cultural adaptation to the Middle East.
What’s cooking in Kuwait with Rami Jaafar of Holiday Inn Hotel in Salmiya
Rami Jaafar, executive chef of Holiday Inn Hotel in Salmiya, Kuwait, manages seven diverse food venues. He is also a member of ChefXchange and provides culinary consultancy. Here, he shares his insights on Kuwait’s booming food scene and where it’s heading.
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat’s executive pastry chef Pierre-Jean Quinonero brings flavor to Dubai
Acclaimed executive pastry chef Pierre-Jean Quinonero from Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat was recently hosted by chef Nicolas Lambert of Four Seasons Dubai for a bespoke afternoon tea and limited-edition vitrine creations. We caught up with Quinonero to learn more about his culinary style, the latest pastry trends and which ingredients he likes to experiment with.
Al Falamanki’s venture into KSA with Tony Ramy
Through his restaurant group and work as president of Lebanon’s RCNP Syndicate, Tony Ramy’s deep-rooted passion for the restaurant industry is evident. In this exclusive interview, Ramy talks about Al Falamanki’s successful expansion into Saudi Arabia, its enduring popularity and future growth plans.
