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The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best-time is now

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impossible foods plant based

Integrator Media had an exclusive interview with Noel Clarke, Senior VP of International for Impossible Foods

What inspired the founding of Impossible Foods?

Impossible Foods was founded with a singular purpose: to positively impact people and the planet by making delicious, nutritious plant-based meat with a fraction of the environmental footprint of meat from animals. People have said this is a lofty goal, but more than a decade later, we’re proving that progress is achievable. Impossible products are now available across four continents and in our two-and-a-half years of business in the UAE, we’ve expanded into more than 200 restaurants in the region.

The journey of creating the first Impossible Burger and the scientific breakthroughs involved

Before we launched Impossible Beef in 2016, the team spent five years working to understand how meat behaves at the molecular level so that we could replicate this same flavour chemistry with plant ingredients. It was during this process that we identified heme as the key ingredient for what makes animal meat so craveable, allowing us to innovate an animal-free version that’s identical to the heme found in soy. This breakthrough was the building block of what would eventually become Impossible Beef, differentiating our product as the plant-based beef that looks, cooks, tastes like animal beef. 

What’s the significance of the Impossible Chicken Nuggets launch in the UAE?

Many consumers know us for our flagship Impossible Beef product, but our Impossible Chicken Nuggets are one of the most accessible entry points to the Impossible brand and the plant-based space more broadly. Since first launching the product in 2021 in the US, Impossible Chicken Nuggets quickly became one of our most popular products because of their broad consumer appeal, versatility, and incredible taste – decisively outranking a leading animal nugget on flavour, texture and overall appearance in a blind taste test. As a result, they’ve become a key component of our international expansion strategy. Including the UAE, Impossible Chicken Nuggets are available in 7 countries and have proven successful in bringing more consumers around the world into the brand. 

How does Impossible Foods balance taste, texture, and nutritional value in its product development?

Every Impossible product is designed to match the animal on the overall sensory experience –– taste, aroma, texture –– as well as nutritional quality. We don’t consider “good enough” or “close enough” a true success. With Impossible, consumers don’t have to choose between taste or nutrition. This is what sets us apart in the marketplace. A great example of this is our Chicken Nuggets product, which not only beats the animal nearly 3 to 1 on taste, but also outperforms animal chicken on nutrition with 0 milligrams cholesterol and 40% less saturated fat. 

How does Impossible Foods address scepticism towards plant-based meats?

It’s normal to see some scepticism with new innovations. For example, we saw this with plant-based dairy and now as the market has matured, these options are just as commonplace as conventional dairy products. Similarly, plant-based meat is just getting started, so we still have a long runway of growth ahead of us. We know that tasting is believing when it comes to these products – once people try Impossible for the first time, more than 1 in 2 intend to do so again. It’s incumbent on us and the rest of the plant-based category to continue raising the bar when it comes to delivering great-tasting, nutrient-dense products. This will allow us as a collective industry to ensure a positive first impression for consumers and create a positive halo effect across the entire space.

What role do you believe plant-based meat alternatives will play in the global food system in the next decade?

Our mission at Impossible is to champion a global food system that is more reliant on plants than it is on animals. Vegans and vegetarians are already doing their part to live a more sustainable, plant-based lifestyle but the folks we have to win over are flexitarians and meat-eaters. Plant-based meat products like ours offer a seamless replacement for the animal meat products that consumers know and love, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for meat-eaters into the broader plant-based category. We have to make this transition easy for people and not force them into lifestyle changes that they’re unlikely to maintain in the long-term.

As a father to five children who wants the best for their future, the following Chinese proverb deeply resonates with me: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

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Hospitality

JAMAICA REDEFINES THE SPRING RESET WITH ISLAND ENERGY AND CULTURE

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As travellers look to reset and recharge this spring, Jamaica is emerging as one of the season’s most compelling long-haul destinations, offering a rare balance of energy, restoration and cultural immersion. As UK travellers increasingly seek purpose-led escapes, from Skyscanner’s “passion-led” travel to British Airways Holidays’ growing focus on wellness and “neurosurfing”, Jamaica delivers a reset that goes beyond relaxation, reconnecting visitors with rhythm, nature and a slower pace of living.

That sense of re-energising begins with the island’s most dynamic cultural moment. Carnival in Jamaica (8–14 April) transforms Kingston into a high-energy celebration of music, movement and connection. A packed programme of soca-fuelled fetes, beach parties and road marches led by bands including Xodus, GenXS, Yard Mas and Bacchanal draws tens of thousands of revellers each year. For many travellers, it’s not just a festival but a full reset of mood and mindset. Those looking to immerse themselves without the logistical complexity can opt for Carnival band packages, which bundle costumes, food and drinks access, and concierge-style support on parade day.

Beyond the energy of Carnival, Jamaica invites visitors to reset through flavour and ritual. This begins at Boston Bay, widely regarded as the birthplace of jerk, where meat is slow-smoked over pimento wood in a method that is as much about tradition as taste. Across the island, that same authenticity carries through to roadside cookshops and refined dining alike, while Jamaica’s rum heritage can be explored through intimate tastings and local bars that showcase the island’s long-standing distilling craft. For something truly off-grid, The Pelican Bar, set on a sandbar off the south coast and reached only by boat, delivers a stripped-back, toes-in-the-water escape that captures the essence of switching off.

In Jamaica, wellness is rooted in nature, inviting travellers to slow down and reset at their own pace. In the Blue Mountains, mist-covered trails and sunrise hikes create space to recalibrate both physically and mentally, often followed by tastings of the region’s renowned coffee, enjoyed overlooking the peaks where it is grown.

That connection to nature continues across the island, from the Blue Hole Mineral Spring in Westmoreland, where traditional mud treatments take place within a limestone cavern, to bamboo rafting along the Martha Brae River in Falmouth, near Montego Bay — a slow, meditative journey through lush tropical greenery that invites travellers to fully switch off.

At the resort level, this philosophy is evolving into more personalised, immersive wellness experiences. At Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, a signature “farm-to-skin” ritual invites guests to forage fresh botanicals from on-site gardens before incorporating them into bespoke spa treatments. Elsewhere, resorts across the island are reimagining the traditional spa model, introducing open-air treatments, holistic therapies and nature-led rituals designed for genuine restoration.

With temperatures averaging around 29°C, long hours of sunshine and one of the most vibrant cultural calendars of the year, spring offers a natural moment to pause, reset and re-engage. In Jamaica, that reset comes effortlessly, shaped by music, nature and a rhythm of life that stays with visitors long after they leave.

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Hospitality

SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS TO OPEN SIX DISTINCT RESORTS IN THE MALDIVES OVER SIX YEARS

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SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS introduces a new philosophy of island hospitality. Co-founder and CEO Laith Pharaon, a seasoned hotelier and investor, launched the company in 2024 with a bold, lifestyle-led vision. Over the next six years, the brand will unveil six individually designed private island resorts each a distinct destination shaped by a shared ethos: presence, authenticity, and meaningful connection. The journey begins in 2026 with RAH GILI MALDIVES and DON MAAGA MALDIVES, both located in the South Malé Atoll, just a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

Rather than follow the tropes of luxury hospitality, SIX & SIX recentres the guest experience around presence — removing noise to make space for something deeper. Guests are given the freedom to design their own journey, supported by wellness specialists, creative thinkers, and cultural experiences tailored to how they wish to feel — not just what they wish to do.

“SIX & SIX is about giving guests the most meaningful luxuries: time, space, and the freedom to just be,” says Laith Pharaon. “We’re not interested in replicating what already exists. This is about reimagining what luxury in the Maldives can feel like — intuitive, intentional, and personal.”

A Culture Rooted in the People of the Islands

At the heart of the brand’s culture is a philosophy drawn from the Maldives itself known as Rayyithun, meaning People of the Islands in Dhivehi. This is more than a concept. It is a living rhythm that shapes how each island is built, led, and experienced. From the fishermen who bring the day’s catch, to the builders who carve each space by hand, to the drummers who carry the island’s pulse — the Rayyithun are the quiet architects of island life.

Their presence flows through every SIX & SIX resort in its design language, cultural programme, and approach to care. This is most clearly embodied in the Edhurun programme, a reimagining of the traditional butler. Edhurun, meaning mentor, reflects a form of service that is intuitive, respectful, and grounded in care. But more than that, the Edhurun are storytellers — guardians of island knowledge who bring depth and meaning to the guest journey through quiet narrative, ritual, and presence.

Introducing the First Two Islands

RAH GILI MALDIVES — opening February 2026 — is located beside a protected dolphin sanctuary. With 74 villas, including 37 overwater, the resort blends bold design with whimsical details and vibrant social spaces. It is the first island to fully express the Rayyithun philosophy — a story-led destination where stillness, culture, and connection converge.

DON MAAGA MALDIVES, launching in late 2026, is the brand’s ultra-luxury flagship. Featuring the signature TERRA∞ beach villas and AETHR∞ overwater villas — some exceeding 1,500 sqm — it offers unapologetic scale paired with architectural restraint. Select villas feature both saltwater and freshwater pools, alongside open courtyards, semi-precious inlays, and serene private zones crafted for deep restoration. The island also introduces HIRIGAA, an invitation-only private island for full-island takeovers.

“Each island stands on its own — with its own energy, its own soul,” says Marc Gussing, SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS Director of Operations. “What unites them is not uniformity, but intention. Our role is to protect that individuality while shaping a guest experience that feels grounded, generous, and quietly unforgettable.”

SIX & SIX PRIVATE RESIDENCES

SIX & SIX PRIVATE RESIDENCES are a natural extension of the brand’s philosophy — offering a way to return not just for a season, but for a lifetime. Available across every island, beginning with RAH GILI and DON MAAGA, these residences invite individuals and families to become part of the island’s rhythm — not as guests, but as stewards of place. With access to all resort experiences, services, and cultural programming, each residence is shaped for those who seek continuity, presence, and a deeper sense of belonging within the SIX & SIX constellation.

Designed for Conscious Living

Every SIX & SIX resort is conceived with purpose — from design and storytelling to sustainability and social impact. The brand is pursuing EarthCheck certification for each island, integrating solar power, zero single-use plastics, desalination with in-house bottling, and regenerative marine conservation. A strong focus is placed on community partnerships, local materials, and guest education — all embedded into the operating rhythm from day one.

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Hospitality

RADISSON BLU HOTEL DUBAI DEIRA CREEK WELCOMES EASTER WITH A WEEKEND OF SEAFOOD FEASTS, FAMILY BRUNCHES AND FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS

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Overlooking the historic waters of Dubai Creek, the iconic Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek invites guests to mark the Easter weekend with a lively programme of dining experiences, family entertainment and seasonal flavours across its celebrated collection of restaurants. A long-standing landmark in Traditional Dubai, the hotel is renowned for its diverse culinary venues, warm service and relaxed waterfront atmosphere, making it the perfect setting for gathering with family and friends during the spring holiday.

Friday 3 April – Easter Bucket List Night at Fish Market

The festivities begin on Friday evening at the legendary Fish Market, a restaurant famous for its market-style concept and bold, authentic seafood flavours. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., guests are invited to tick a must-try experience off their bucket list with a special Easter Friday offer.

Diners can indulge in generously filled seafood buckets prepared with the restaurant’s signature marinades and spices, served fresh from the kitchen with unlimited rice and refreshing iced tea. The offer is priced at AED 99 for a bucket for one to two guests, or AED 149 for a large bucket ideal for two to three guests, creating a relaxed, sociable dining experience perfect for the start of the Easter weekend. With its lively open-kitchen atmosphere and views over the creek, Fish Market promises a vibrant evening filled with flavour, aroma and tradition.

Saturday 4 April – Greenhouse Social Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt

Easter celebrations continue Saturday afternoon, where the much-loved Greenhouse Social brunch takes on a festive seasonal twist from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Set in a bright, garden-inspired space filled with natural light, the brunch offers a generous spread of international favourites, live cooking stations and comforting classics, all served in a relaxed and family-friendly setting.

Adding to the joyful atmosphere, younger guests are invited to take part in a cheerful Easter egg hunt, bringing excitement and laughter to the afternoon while parents enjoy the leisurely brunch experience. The Easter edition of Greenhouse Social Brunch is available at AED 199 with soft beverages, or AED 345 including a three-hour house beverages’ package, making it an ideal way for families to come together and celebrate the season.

Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday Seafood Brunch with Minato & Fish Market

The weekend concludes with a special Easter Sunday brunch on 5 April from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., combining the culinary expertise of Minato and Fish Market for a feast inspired by the flavours of the sea.

Guests can enjoy an abundant selection of freshly prepared sushi, sashimi and premium seafood, alongside hot specialities and signature dishes crafted by the chefs of both restaurants. The brunch brings together the precision of Japanese cuisine with the freshness and bold seasoning of coastal cooking, creating a dining experience designed for sharing and celebrating.

Priced at AED 199 for the soft beverages’ package and AED 99 for children, the Easter Sunday brunch offers a welcoming setting for families and friends to gather, relax and enjoy the holiday over an indulgent spread in one of Dubai’s most historic dining destinations.

From lively seafood nights to family brunches and festive activities, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek offers a complete Easter weekend experience, where heritage, flavour and togetherness come together in the heart of the city.

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