Hospitality

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

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2024

Integrator Web-Editor

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.”

Hospitality

CELEBRATE TOGETHERNESS THIS RAMADAN WITH AL HALLAB’S IFTAR OFFERINGS

Published

17 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Overhead view of AL HALLAB Lebanese dishes including stuffed vine leaves, hummus with chickpeas, fried spring rolls, a pita sandwich with fries, dates with boiled egg, and mixed appetizers served on patterned table.

This Ramadan, Al Hallab invites families and loved ones to come together over a generous and comforting Iftar experience inspired by time-honoured Lebanese traditions. Available across all three Al Hallab outlets and for delivery, the Ramadan offering is thoughtfully designed to celebrate togetherness with the flavours that define the holy month.

Guests can enjoy a full dine-in experience at any of Al Hallab’s three outlets, where tables are set with warm hospitality and a feast of Lebanese favorites. From comforting soups like Lentil, Chicken, or Mushroom, to cold appetizers including Hummus, Moutabal, Labneh, Fattoush, and Vine Leaves, every dish is prepared with care to celebrate the flavors of Lebanon. Hot appetizers, grilled skewers, daily mains, and fresh bread complete the spread, followed by a selection of premium Arabic sweets like Kunafa, Shaibeat, Othamlieh, Kunafa rolls, and fruits for dessert.

For those who prefer to break their fast at home, Al Hallab also offers Iftar meal boxes for delivery, making it easy to enjoy a complete Ramadan meal in the comfort of your own space. Available for one, two, or four people, each Iftar includes dates to break the fast, comforting soups, traditional juices like Kamaredine and Jallab, a selection of cold and hot appetizers, daily main dishes, and a taste of Ramadan’s sweetest delights, including Kataef Walnut and Shaibeyat Ashta.

Al Hallab’s Iftar is more than a meal; it is an invitation to gather, share, and celebrate the blessings of Ramadan with loved ones. Whether enjoying the cozy ambiance of the restaurant or the comfort of home, every Iftar is a moment of joy, flavor, and heritage.

Hospitality

LA VILLE HOTEL & SUITES ANNOUNCES THE REOPENING OF LOOKUP ROOFTOP BAR WITH A REFINED MEDITERRANEAN IDENTITY

Published

19 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Nighttime cityscape view from LA VILLE HOTEL & SUITES showing the illuminated Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai skyline.

La Ville Hotel & Suites CITY WALK Dubai, Autograph Collection announces the reopening of its rooftop destination, LookUp Rooftop Bar,on 22^nd January 2026. Reintroduced with a refined Mediterranean identity and a fully refreshed look, LookUp now offers a complete day-to-night experience that feels genuinely new, even for long- standing guests of the hotel.

Overlooking City Walk with uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline, LookUp has been reshaped into a rooftop destination with greater depth and purpose. By day, the space centres around its infinity pool and open terraces, offering a relaxed setting for guests to unwind, swim and spend time outdoors. A strengthened food offering now plays a central role in the experience, with a full Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring wood fired pizzas and fresh sharable dishes, designed for casual dining and longer stays.

As the day moves into evening, LookUp naturally shifts in energy. Guests can enjoy crafted cocktails, a considered music programme and live DJs, alongside a calendar of curated experiences including fashion showcases, brand collaborations and pop ups. Morning wellness sessions such as yoga and pilates further extend the rooftop’s use beyond traditional bar hours, creating a space that works across different moments of the day.

The refreshed LookUp is designed as more than a rooftop bar. It is a lifestyle destination that brings together leisure, dining and social connection in one setting. With its updated design, stronger menu focus and varied programming, LookUp offers returning guests a new way to experience a familiar space, while welcoming new visitors into the heart of City Walk.

The reopening will welcome hotel owners, Marriott leaders, media, partners and influencers, marking the next chapter for one of City Walk’s most recognisable rooftops. With ongoing collaborations across wellness, fashion and lifestyle, LookUp Rooftop Bar is positioned as a key social destination within City Walk, offering experiences from sunrise through to late night.

Michel Nader, Regional Vice President, UAE & Levant – Premium & Select, Marriott International commented: “The return of LookUp is both timely and emblematic of Dubai’s ever-evolving social landscape. With its revitalised Mediterranean-inspired concept, the destination seamlessly combines refined charm with enhanced hospitality, embodying the city’s affinity for sophisticated and vibrant nightlife. We are confident the relaunch of this popular venue will be appreciated by local residents and international visitors.”

Roudi Soubra, Vice President – Asset Management, Dubai Holding, added: “LookUp has always been more than just a rooftop, it’s part of La Ville’s story and spirit. This reimagining represents our commitment to continuous evolution and to creating spaces that inspire connection, creativity, and joy. With its Mediterranean charm and breathtaking views, LookUp once again reflects the essence of Dubai: dynamic, sophisticated, and full of life.”

Hospitality

RAMADAN IFTAR AT OASIS TERRACE & GARDEN, MÖVENPICK DOWNTOWN

Published

19 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Iftar dessert and fruit buffet display at MÖVENPICK DOWNTOWN featuring assorted cakes, mini pastries, fresh fruit platters, and traditional Ramadan desserts arranged on a serving counter.

This Ramadan, Oasis Terrace & Garden at Mövenpick Hotel Apartments, Downtown Dubai invites guests to break their fast in a relaxed outdoor setting with a garden-style Iftar buffet designed for families, friends, and group gatherings.

The experience features authentic Arabian and regional favourites, complemented by interactive live cooking stations. Guests are welcomed with dates and water on arrival, followed by unlimited access to mezze, salads, hot mains, and signature Oasis desserts. Live stations include Shawarma, slow-cooked Ouzi, and BBQ specialities, alongside a dedicated dessert counter and mocktails with laban.

Set across the venue’s open-air terrace and garden, the Iftar offers a laid-back yet festive atmosphere ideal for both casual and corporate celebrations throughout the holy month.

With its combination of open-air seating, warm hospitality and thoughtfully curated buffet, Oasis Terrace & Garden offers a welcoming space to slow down and reconnect after sunset. The experience reflects the spirit of Ramadan, bringing together comforting flavours, shared plates and a setting designed for togetherness. Available throughout Ramadan 2026 (subject to official moon sighting, expected from 19 February 2026).