Hospitality News
House of Pops Attracts Attention at Gulfood with their 100% Natural and Vegan Pops
House of Pops focuses on clean and healthy eating. The company offers 100% natural, vegan pops made from real fruits and free from allergens and refined sugar. JNS Media International conducted an interview with Mazen Kanaan, co-founder and CEO of House of Pops at Gulfood, 2023 to discuss more about the company’s mission, products, and plans for the future.
How has your overall experience been at Gulfood?
This is my third time attending Gulfood and I must say that the experience has been really positive. With each passing year, we have been able to secure more space and we have noticed a steady increase in the number of attendees. This has been a source of great energy for us and has presented us with an excellent opportunity to connect with new partners and franchises.
What is the feedback from people at Gulfood this year?
The feedback this year has been positive. One reason for this may be that we have expanded our product range. In the past two years, we only offered sticks, but now we also have a scooping product and a new format which we call the bites. These additions have added a lot of value to our offerings, and people have taken notice. They appreciate that we now have a more comprehensive portfolio to offer, rather than just one product.
What are the main products that you are showcasing at Gulfood?
Apart from our popular sticks, we are also showcasing our new range of tubs that customers can take home and scoop from. Additionally, we have bites which are small, 10-gram portions of our delicious ice cream whipped in 72% single origin Madagascar chocolate. These are perfect for a satisfying and indulgent snack while at home watching a movie or simply enjoying some downtime. The snackable format of the bites has been well-received by customers.
How did you come up with the idea of House of Pops?
When I was researching the market, I noticed a gap in the ice cream market when it comes to health and wellness. There are plenty of options for snacks like cookies and drinks, but when it comes to ice cream, most products are high in fat and sugar. Given the growing interest in health and wellness, I felt there should be a healthier alternative available in the ice cream market. That’s how the idea for House of Pops was born.
Are you looking for any kind of collaborations?
Yes, we are open to collaborating with any business that shares our values and ethics regarding our brand and product. We are interested in exploring franchising opportunities, distribution partnerships, and trade approaches with big retailers. We are also open to private label and co-branding opportunities.
What are your plans for 2023?
Our plans for 2023 include expanding our distribution of the new range of bites and tubs. We also want to expand our presence in the GCC region by partnering with individuals or companies who can take our franchise across countries in the region. We will focus on innovation in terms of new and exciting flavors to add to our portfolio. That is where we will be bringing the new news.
Hospitality
VELAA PRIVATE ISLAND LAUNCHES KIDS WEEK WITH SHARKY + GEORGE AND FREESTYLE FOOTBALL CHAMPION TOBIAS BECS
Velaa Private Island in the Maldives will host Kids Week from 3rd – 9th August, a week-long family programme delivered in partnership with international children’s entertainment specialists Sharky + George. The programme is designed to help children unlock individual “superpowers,” including curiosity, creativity, focus, energy, rhythm and strategy, through island-inspired games, outdoor adventures and collaborative challenges.
A highlight of the week is a series of interactive football sessions led by Tobias Becs, a world champion freestyle footballer, built around confidence, teamwork and creativity. The week concludes with a grand finale featuring obstacle courses and team challenges celebrating teamwork, confidence and achievement.

Kids Week sits within Lha Velaa Kids Club, one of the Maldives’ most comprehensive children’s facilities, giving parents a genuine reason to bring the whole family. The Club spans an energy studio for active play, sensory spaces, cooking and experiment classes, indoor climbing and quiet reading nooks, alongside outdoor water play, island quests and treasure hunts. Regular additions, from Maldivian baseball on the sand to a talent show under the stars, are led by the Club’s mascot, Tokey the Turtle, so no two visits look the same.
Validated by Worldwide Kids and the Luxury Childcare Association, the Club’s team pairs professional childcare standards with imaginative, hands-on care – reinforcing Velaa’s position as a leading destination for multi-generational luxury travel.
Details Below:
What: Velaa Kids Week
When: 3rd – 9th August
Where: Lha Velaa Kids Club, Velaa Private Island
Hospitality
HOW SUN SIYAM VILU REEF KEEPS MALDIVIAN ROOTS ALIVE THROUGH RICH TRADITIONS
How Sun Siyam Vilu Reef Is Keeping Maldivian Culture Alive: The smell reaches you before anything else: warm coconut oil, faintly sweet, drifting from a low-roofed beach house. Inside, a woman works patiently with her hands, pressing, turning and drawing the oil slowly from the flesh, just as it has been done for generations on these islands. Standing on a tiny coral island in the South Nilandhe Atoll, time seems to lose its importance.
This is Athireege, the cultural heart of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within Sun Siyam. It is not a museum, nor a demonstration staged for the camera. It is a living sanctuary where the crafts, rituals and flavours of traditional Maldivian life are practised by hand, by voice and by fire. Here, an immersive cultural journey invites guests to discover the traditions, flavours and stories that continue to shape island life, offering a deeper connection to the Maldives beyond its postcard-perfect beaches.
Once a week, guests are invited to experience Maldivian Roots Day, a journey that reveals the customs, skills and traditions that have shaped island life for generations. Visitors leave with more than memories of turquoise waters they leave with a deeper understanding of the place they have called home, even if only for a few days.
The experience begins with a hands-on coconut oil making class, uncovering traditional crafting techniques first-hand at Athireege. Authenticity is the soul of this space, where traditional island living is brought to life using real, handcrafted tools. Guests can run their fingers over the very techniques that Maldivians have used to sustain island life for centuries whether witnessing the intricate art of palm weaving known as Fangi Vinun, trying their hand at coir rope making, known in Dhivehi as Roanu Veshun or playing traditional mancala style games like Ohvalhu Gondi Kulhun.

As the afternoon softens into evening, pandan-infused tea is served alongside sweet and savoury local delicacies. As daylight fades, stories take their place. History of Maldives, real experiences with island tales and memories of life before tourism are shared aloud, reviving a tradition that once passed history from one generation to the next.
The centre of this cultural journey is the Malaafaih, a magnificent, traditional Maldivian banquet. Translating roughly to “abundance,” the Malaafaih was historically prepared for grand celebrations, weddings, and community gatherings. This carefully curated feast invites guests to gather, share, and experience authentic local flavours in a deeply communal setting, honouring the true spirit of island hospitality.


At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, the Malaafaih is celebrated both at sunrise, as a traditional breakfast, and beneath the stars as an evening feast. The menu changes with the season and the day’s catch, but its spirit remains the same, dishes are shared, conversations unfold naturally, and strangers often leave the table feeling like friends. Whether beginning the day with a traditional breakfast or gathering beneath the stars for an evening feast, guests can completely immerse themselves in this rare culinary ritual, tailored exclusively to their stay.


At a time when travellers increasingly seek meaningful connections with the places they visit, Athireege offers something becoming increasingly rare: traditions that are still lived rather than performed. Long after the final stories have been told and the feast has ended, it is often these moments not simply the beaches or the villas that guests remember most. At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, space has always been made for the culture that made these islands worth travelling to in the first place.
Hospitality
NEW SIGNATURE BRUNCH EXPERIENCE LAUNCHES ACROSS DUBAI AND ABU DHABI
Society UAE, the premier lifestyle dining destination, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated new Brunch offer, going live across both its Dubai and Abu Dhabi locations on August 15th.

Society Unveils A Signature Brunch Across Dubai And Abu Dhabi
Served exclusively on Society’s signature wooden brunch board, the new offering is a meticulously curated feast crafted from the finest, freshest ingredients. Each board is designed to deliver a complete and balanced culinary experience, featuring one hearty main course, one freshly baked pastry, one savoury side dish, and one indulgent dessert. The selections of main dishes include a creamy roasted chicken and mushroom pie, truffle soft scramble on a warm croffle, and huevos rancheros. Desserts include a range of Society’s classic French Toast, Syrniki and creamy dessert cups by MAD Hospitality’s nostaligc dessert concept, HAZE. Fresh pastries include mini garlic bread, mini shio pan and almond croissant while guests can indulge in their favorite side dishes including french fries, chicken sausage or arugula salad. To complement the meal, guests can select one classic beverage of their choice, featuring premium coffee or fresh juice to savour throughout the brunch.


The wooden board concept is designed to be the ultimate centerpiece for social gatherings. Whether it is a relaxed weekend morning with the family or a long catch-up with friends, Society’ Brunch offers a communal, high-quality dining experience tailored for sharing and savoring.
Offer Details:
- Launch Date: August 15, 2026
- Locations: Society Dubai, Jumeirah 1 and Society Abu Dhabi, Al Mamsha, Al Saadiyat
- The Menu: The signature wooden brunch board includes 1 Main, 1 Pastry, 1 Side Dish, 1 Dessert, plus 1 Classic Drink.
- Pricing: AED 120 per board (including drink)
- Availability: Saturday and Sunday from 8:00AM until 2:00PM
- For reservations and more information, please call: +971 56 408 7099 for Society Abu Dhabi, and +97150 210 0096 for Society Dubai.
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