Standing out in Dubai’s competitive F&B scene is no easy feat. In the fine-dining space, the challenge is even greater. Hospitality News Middle East spoke with five industry professionals at The Talks, part of Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai, to discover how desserts can enhance the overall guest experience and the other benefits of having a standout pastry and dessert menu. Here are six key insights from the discussion.
Dubai’s dining scene is known for its opulence, and desserts are a key element of that luxurious experience. High-end restaurants focus on offering decadent and visually stunning pastry creations that appeal to both taste and aesthetics. Christian Gradnitzer, VP development and international operations at RIKAS Hospitality Group, believes that desserts can elevate the culinary journey. “Desserts play a crucial role in elevating the overall guest experience, often serving as the memorable final touch to a meal. A well-crafted dessert can leave a lasting impression, enhancing guest satisfaction.”
1.Culinary creativity
Pastry and desserts allow chefs to showcase their creativity and technical skills. Dubai’s high-end dining scene is highly competitive and desserts provide an opportunity for chefs to stand out with innovative flavor combinations, elaborate plating and unique textures. Helene Bezier, general manager of La Dame de Pic, said that while the restaurant has a curated set menu, its desserts vary according to seasonal ingredients.
At Orfali Bros, desserts have become part of the restaurant’s hallmark, helping to build its award-winning reputation. According to Mohamad Orfali, head of culinary at the Michelin-starred restaurant, desserts are an integral part of the dining experience. “My brother Wissam is our executive pastry chef, and we believe that having a rich and inspiring dessert menu is essential.” Indeed, the restaurant prides itself on artistic creations that pay tribute to ingredients like pistachio and cherry.
2. Cultural fusion
Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, and its desserts often reflect this diversity. Indeed, high-end restaurants offer desserts that fuse global flavors. At Clap Dubai, for instance, the desserts showcase distinct Japanese flavors, such as mochi, yuzu and matcha. This fusion appeals to both locals and international visitors looking for a distinctive culinary experience. Ouafaa Nafid, general manager of Clap Dubai, said that guests always leave room for dessert, so it is important that the final impression of the concept is a last one.
3. Social media appeal
Desserts in high-end Dubai restaurants are often designed to be “Instagram-worthy.” Beautifully crafted, visually striking desserts are frequently shared on social media platforms, generating free marketing and boosting a restaurant’s visibility. The aesthetic appeal of desserts drives foot traffic and contributes to the dining experience. Hubert Gallo, restaurant manager of MINA Brasserie and Penrose Lounge, confirmed that guests often come to the restaurant for dessert and coffee and want to take pictures and videos of desserts to share on the social media. Indeed, this user-generated content also helps in marketing the restaurant.
4. Memorable dining experiences
In high-end dining, the entire experience matters, from the ambience to the final course. Desserts often serve as the grand finale to a meal, leaving a lasting impression on diners. A well-executed dessert can elevate the overall dining experience, ensuring that customers leave satisfied and likely to return. “We’ve tailored our dessert menu in our RIKRAS Concepts to offer a surprising twist on familiar flavors and keeping the classics, often by introducing a single unexpected ingredient that elevates the dish while staying true to our concept with its bold presentation, create a visual and flavorful ‘wow factor’ while maintaining the essence of our culinary identity,” said Gradnitzer.
5. Financial benefits
High-end restaurants invest heavily in pastry chefs and patisseries to maintain the highest standards, aligning with Dubai’s global reputation as a hub for luxury and fine dining. Having a rich and enticing dessert menu can therefore be beneficial to sales.
6. Trends
Sorbets and ice creams are a popular choice among restaurant guests. There’s also a rise in using local and sustainable ingredients in inventive ways, particularly Middle Eastern flavors.
Why desserts matter for high-end restaurants in Dubai
Standing out in Dubai’s competitive F&B scene is no easy feat. In the fine-dining space, the challenge is even greater. Hospitality News Middle East spoke with five industry professionals at The Talks, part of Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai, to discover how desserts can enhance the overall guest experience and the other benefits of having a standout pastry and dessert menu. Here are six key insights from the discussion.
Dubai’s dining scene is known for its opulence, and desserts are a key element of that luxurious experience. High-end restaurants focus on offering decadent and visually stunning pastry creations that appeal to both taste and aesthetics. Christian Gradnitzer, VP development and international operations at RIKAS Hospitality Group, believes that desserts can elevate the culinary journey. “Desserts play a crucial role in elevating the overall guest experience, often serving as the memorable final touch to a meal. A well-crafted dessert can leave a lasting impression, enhancing guest satisfaction.”
1.Culinary creativity
Pastry and desserts allow chefs to showcase their creativity and technical skills. Dubai’s high-end dining scene is highly competitive and desserts provide an opportunity for chefs to stand out with innovative flavor combinations, elaborate plating and unique textures. Helene Bezier, general manager of La Dame de Pic, said that while the restaurant has a curated set menu, its desserts vary according to seasonal ingredients.
At Orfali Bros, desserts have become part of the restaurant’s hallmark, helping to build its award-winning reputation. According to Mohamad Orfali, head of culinary at the Michelin-starred restaurant, desserts are an integral part of the dining experience. “My brother Wissam is our executive pastry chef, and we believe that having a rich and inspiring dessert menu is essential.” Indeed, the restaurant prides itself on artistic creations that pay tribute to ingredients like pistachio and cherry.
2. Cultural fusion
Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, and its desserts often reflect this diversity. Indeed, high-end restaurants offer desserts that fuse global flavors. At Clap Dubai, for instance, the desserts showcase distinct Japanese flavors, such as mochi, yuzu and matcha. This fusion appeals to both locals and international visitors looking for a distinctive culinary experience. Ouafaa Nafid, general manager of Clap Dubai, said that guests always leave room for dessert, so it is important that the final impression of the concept is a last one.
3. Social media appeal
Desserts in high-end Dubai restaurants are often designed to be “Instagram-worthy.” Beautifully crafted, visually striking desserts are frequently shared on social media platforms, generating free marketing and boosting a restaurant’s visibility. The aesthetic appeal of desserts drives foot traffic and contributes to the dining experience. Hubert Gallo, restaurant manager of MINA Brasserie and Penrose Lounge, confirmed that guests often come to the restaurant for dessert and coffee and want to take pictures and videos of desserts to share on the social media. Indeed, this user-generated content also helps in marketing the restaurant.
4. Memorable dining experiences
In high-end dining, the entire experience matters, from the ambience to the final course. Desserts often serve as the grand finale to a meal, leaving a lasting impression on diners. A well-executed dessert can elevate the overall dining experience, ensuring that customers leave satisfied and likely to return. “We’ve tailored our dessert menu in our RIKRAS Concepts to offer a surprising twist on familiar flavors and keeping the classics, often by introducing a single unexpected ingredient that elevates the dish while staying true to our concept with its bold presentation, create a visual and flavorful ‘wow factor’ while maintaining the essence of our culinary identity,” said Gradnitzer.
5. Financial benefits
High-end restaurants invest heavily in pastry chefs and patisseries to maintain the highest standards, aligning with Dubai’s global reputation as a hub for luxury and fine dining. Having a rich and enticing dessert menu can therefore be beneficial to sales.
6. Trends
Sorbets and ice creams are a popular choice among restaurant guests. There’s also a rise in using local and sustainable ingredients in inventive ways, particularly Middle Eastern flavors.
Insights from The Talks, organized by Hospitality News Middle East, at Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai. Session moderated by Lisa Jerejian.
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