Savoring authentic Lebanese food with Elie Bassil, founder and COO of Habib Beirut
The concept began with an elderly man named Habib, who was renowned by locals for his pickles and homemade dairy products. News of his outstanding goods quickly spread, and it wasn’t long before restaurants started serving his dishes. Forty years later, Habib Beirut was born, and today, the brand is synonymous with authentic Lebanese food cooked with passion and a twist. Elie Bassil, founder and COO of Habib Beirut, discusses the concept’s rise to fame and his plans for the future.
The fundamentals of success in hospitality with Evgeny Kuzin
Evgeny Kuzin moved to Dubai when he was 21 years with a dream of building an empire from the ground up. Passionate about hospitality, he made the UAE his second home and focused on bringing well-known luxury concepts to Dubai, and with that experience, he went on to focus on creating home-grown concepts. Today, he is chairman of Fundamental Hospitality.
An elevated restaurant experience with Marvin Alballi
Marvin Alballi is an award-winning food and beverage executive. With over two decades of international experience managing franchise chains, celebrity chef restaurants, independent establishments and global hotel F&B operations, he tells us more about his book “Restaurant Excellence” and the secrets of the trade.
Breaking tradition with Marc Naaman
Marc Naaman, the managing partner of KB Food, tells us about his concept Kébi and the challenges he is facing in popularizing a Lebanese favorite.
MJS Holding, leading the restaurant scene toward Vision 2030
MJS Holding, a leading hospitality group, continues to make strides in the restaurant scene by bringing its unique blend of innovation and tradition to the forefront. We take a closer look at the company renowned for its commitment to quality and excellence and the gurus behind it who have been instrumental in shaping the restaurant industry in Saudi Arabia.
White Hospitality ambitious expansion plans in Abu Dhabi
James Soo Yong Kim, CEO of White Hospitality, is set to redefine the F&B industry in Abu Dhabi this year with the launch of six brand-new concepts that offer immersive dining experiences.
A theatrical dining experience with Antonio Lopez
With a mantra of “life is short, do what you love,” Antonio Lopez, Teatro Restaurant’s executive sous chef, did just that. He left a career in engineering to pursue his passion for culinary arts, finding his place at Rotana Abu Dhabi’s star restaurant. Here, he gives us a glimpse into Teatro and what makes it such a phenomenal success.
Pastel vibes with Karim Jaber
Karim Jaber’s love of soft colors led him to found Pastel, a cosmopolitan brasserie and bar in the beating heart of Beirut. We discover more about the concept.
Changing the food narrative with Emma Banks, Hilton’s VP of F&B strategy and development EMEA
As a seasoned hotelier and F&B expert, Emma Banks, VP of F&B strategy and development EMEA at Hilton, tells us how the brand is securing a better future for professionals thanks to initiatives.
Hot franchises
We list several leading franchises in the region, with details on their owners by and where they can be found.
