A New Chapter with Chef Youssef Akiki
A true ambassador for Lebanon, chef Youssef Akiki has built himself a worldwide reputation for his creative and purist approach to Lebanese cuisine. Having begun his career at the tender age of 15, Akiki worked his way through the kitchens of renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Joel Robuchon, Nicolas Le Bec and Bruno Goussault. He specialized in gluten and lactose-free pastry at the Ecole Nationale Superieure de la Patisserie before becoming the executive chef at Burgundy Beirut: repeatedly named one of the best restaurants in the world. We learn more about his new projects.
Chef Gerard Brack is the new head chef at Trump International Golf Club Dubai, Stoke House
Brack will be in charge of menu development, staff training, supervising kitchen staff, budgets, costing and implementation of food safety.
A Chat with Bulldozer Group’s Co-Founder
Evgeny Kuzin, Bulldozer Group’s co-founder and chairman, sits down with HN to discuss the current challenges facing the food scene and future plans.
New strategic leadership for Kerzner International
Michael Wale, CEO, to join the Board of Directors of Kerzner International and Philippe Zuber, COO, to become the new Chief Executive Officer.
On The Couch with Aline Avak Kamakian
HN sits down with Aline Kamakian, owner and CEO of Fig Holding, who is responsible for spreading the Armenian heritage with her own YouTube channel and a wave of restaurants, Mayrig and Batchig, serving Armenian delicacies in Lebanon, KSA, Armenia and Maldives.
Tomado’s “Legacy of Steel” Goes Online
Tomado, the renowned industrial kitchen specialist, is going online with the launching of its latest e-commerce website tomadostore.com.
For The Love of Cheese With Francois Robin
After graduating from the French Cheesemonger School in Paris in 2008, Francois Robin headed the cheese department at the world-renowned Parisian luxury grocer Fauchon and worked with pastry chefs Christophe Adam and Benoit Couvrand. His vast knowledge and expertise earned him the coveted title of Meilleurs Ouvriers de France in 2011. Robin went on to share his expertise as an instructor for the French Dairy Interbranch. HN caught up with Robin during his Cheeses of Europe webinar to discuss his love of cheese.
Tolga Lacin promoted to Area GM for Marriott International
In his new position, Lacin will oversee nine Dubai hotels including The Westin and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Le Meridien Dubai, Aloft and Elements hotels.
Spotlighting Mireille Hayek
When it comes to breaking the glass ceiling, Mireille Hayek, Founder and Co-Owner of Em Sherif, has shattered it all together. Her brands, Em Sherif Restaurant; Em Sherif Café; Em Sherif Sea Café; and Parrilla, have been a raving success both locally and internationally. With four branches in Lebanon and nine abroad (Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UK and Saudi Arabia), Hayek is not considering refraining anytime soon, and will keep on innovating. HN discusses with her the current obstacles and her growth forecasts .
Highlighting the Foodpreneur Behind BrandPortunity Consulting
Armed with impressive credentials and F&B retail service experience spanning the Middle East and North Africa, Christian Salloum pursued a dream he had been nurturing since the age of 17, launching his own restaurant and catering consultancy. BrandPortunity, like the name suggests, is a mixture betwee “brand” and “opportunity.” The company is a testament to Salloum’s creativity, success and positivity, mirroring the opportunities and solutions that he has shaped over the years and the brands that he has strengthened with his knowledge and determination. HN sat with the foodpreneur to learn more about BrandPortunity.
