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

A RELAXING POOLSIDE RETREAT AT PALACE DOWNTOWN

Published

1 hour ago

March 26, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Enjoy a relaxing day under the Dubai sun with the Pool Pass at Palace Downtown, available on food and beverages. Perfect for a leisurely daytime escape, the offer allows guests to indulge in refreshing drinks and light bites while unwinding in a serene poolside setting in the heart of Downtown Dubai.

Surrounded by palm trees and the hotel’s elegant Arabian-inspired architecture, the pool at Palace Downtown offers a tranquil oasis with breathtaking views of the iconic Burj Khalifa. With its peaceful atmosphere, comfortable loungers, and attentive service, the pool creates the perfect setting for a sun-soaked retreat blending relaxation with refined hospitality.

Date & time: Monday & Sunday | 7am – 7pm
Price: AED 250 (fully redeemable on F&B credit) | Location: Ground Floor, Palace Downtown

Sun-Soaked Poolside Escape at Address Downtown

Enjoy a refreshing day in the heart of the city with the Pool Pass at Address Downtown, available daily at AED 350 per person, fully redeemable on food and beverages. Perfect for a leisurely daytime retreat, the offer allows guests to indulge in poolside dining while relaxing in a sophisticated setting overlooking Downtown Dubai.

Surrounded by elegant design and breathtaking views of the iconic Burj Khalifa skyline, the pool at Address Downtown offers a serene urban oasis. With its tranquil atmosphere, comfortable loungers, and attentive service, it provides the perfect setting to unwind, soak up the sunshine, and experience a relaxed yet refined poolside escape.

Date & time: Monday & Sunday | 7am – 7pm
Price: AED 350 (fully redeemable on F&B credit) | Location: LobbyLevel, Address Downtown

Contemporary Mediterranean Flavours at Solara, Address Dubai Mall

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Downtown Dubai, Solara at Address Dubai Mall invites guests to discover a contemporary Mediterranean dining experience infused with Middle Eastern flair. The stylish restaurant offers a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, creating the perfect setting for an elegant evening.

Guests can enjoy a specially curated two-course set menu for AED 199 per person or a three-course set menu, available for dinner from 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM. Designed to highlight Solara’s vibrant flavours and refined culinary style, the experience promises a memorable night of exceptional cuisine in one of Downtown Dubai’s most scenic dining destinations.

Experience: The Luncheon

2 course set menu at AED 199 | 3 course set menu at AED 249 | Timing: From 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM | Location: Solara, Address Dubai Mall

Discover a Renewed Haven of Calm at The Spa at Address Dubai Mall

The Spa at Address Dubai Mall unveils a refined wellness experience designed to restore balance and elevate relaxation. Nestled within the iconic hotel, the serene setting enhanced by soft lighting, soothing textures, and graceful interiors offers a peaceful retreat from the energy of the city, inviting guests to unwind and reconnect in a tranquil atmosphere.

Guests can indulge in expertly delivered treatments tailored for deep rejuvenation, including the Signature Wellness Rebalance Massage, a 60-minute experience available at AED 450. Thoughtfully designed to restore harmony, the treatment provides the perfect opportunity to pause, recharge, and embrace a moment of calm within one of Downtown Dubai’s most elegant wellness destinations

Experience: 60-Minute selected Spa Treatment

Price: AED 450 | Timing: From 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Location: The Spa, Address Dubai Mall

Cool Off in Style with Pool Access & Dining Credit at Address Dubai Mall

Immerse yourself in pure indulgence at Address Dubai Mall’s breathtaking infinity pool, where shimmering waters meet the glamour of Downtown Dubai. Bask in the golden sun as you take in the spellbinding views of the iconic Burj Khalifa, creating picture-perfect moments of serenity and sophistication. Enhance your experience with an exclusive pool access pass that comes with a delightful dining credit to tantalize your taste buds.

Relax in the comfort of elegant poolside lounges, sip on refreshing beverages, and savor gourmet delights while basking in the most coveted views in the city. Float effortlessly in the infinity waters or unwind in breezy, sun-kissed lounges, where every moment is a scene of pure bliss waiting to be savored. No reservations required; simply stroll in and surrender to luxury. Pool access passes are available at the Pool Counter on Level 12.

Date & time: Daily | 10am – 7pm | Price: All 7 Days of the week- AED 200, fully redeemable on F&B credit | Location: Level 12, Address Dubai Mall

Hospitality

A SUNDAY BRUNCH FOR KIDS: BAMBINI BRUNCH AT FALCONE

Published

2 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

FALCONE invites Dubai families to join with their little ones for a special kids’ brunch afternoon 1pm – 4pm at FALCONE: “Bambini Brunch”. An afternoon dedicated for kids to have fun away in the heart of Italian cuisine featuring children’s all-time favourite: pizza.

Now that Dubai kids are studying from home due to the current challenging situation, they are more than ever spending time on screens. Bambini Brunch is the perfect weekend activity for kids to get them off screens and engage in fun, hands-on interactive activities that stimulate their creativity while they’re making unforgettable memories.

Activities include a pizza masterclass for kids (that adults would love too), showcasing the original Neapolitan pizza recipe and techniques, as taught by FALCONE’s world-ranked pizza chef, Chef Roberta, the talent behind FALCONE’s pizza that was named Dubai’s Best Pizza, Highly Commended for Best Pizzeria at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2026. Kids will get to learn directly from the chefs and make their own pizzas.

In addition to the pizza masterclass, children can enjoy DIY kids’ stations, all set within a lively and engaging atmosphere, with their favourite tunes playing throughout the afternoon.

While their kids are enjoying the kids’ activities, parents can relax and enjoy FALCONE’s comforting Italian favourites.

Bambini Brunch is happening this Sunday 29 March, 1pm – 4pm. All ages are welcome.

Details:

Where: FALCONE, Galleria Mall, Ground Floor, Al Barsha, Dubai
When: Sunday 29 March, 1pm – 4pm
Offer: Bambini brunch for kids featuring:
- Pizza masterclass for kids
- Magician show
- DIY kids’ stations
- Balloon bending

Hospitality

WELLBEINGS HOLISTIC HEALING AT EDITION DUBAI PRESENTS A “WELLNESS ESCAPE”

Published

2 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

In a moment where the world calls for greater stillness and intention, Wellbeings Holistic Healing at Edition Dubai introduces Wellness Escape, an elevated experience designed to restore balance through refined simplicity and thoughtful care.

Set against the iconic backdrop of Burj Khalifa, this exclusive offering by Wellbeings Holistic Healing invites guests into a serene sanctuary where time slows and wellbeing takes precedence. The experience includes pool access with sweeping skyline views, a 90-minute signature massage or rejuvenating facial, an oxygen therapy session designed to refresh and restore, AED 150 redeemable on food and beverage, and full access to the spa’s sauna and steam facilities, each element curated to deliver a seamless sense of indulgence and calm.

Rooted in a philosophy that blends holistic therapies with contemporary luxury, Wellbeings Holistic Healing continues to define elevated wellness experiences, creating spaces that nurture both body and mind in an atmosphere of quiet sophistication.

Christian Kiefer, CEO and Founder of Spa Wellness Project Management, commented: “In times of uncertainty, true luxury lies in the ability to pause, recalibrate, and reconnect. Wellness today is about creating meaningful moments of restoration that resonate long after the experience itself.”

The Wellness Escape presents a refined expression of modern wellbeing for those seeking both escape and renewal in the heart of Dubai.