Hospitality
The Co-Kitchens Releases ‘Scaling Your Food Business Operations 2024’ Report
The Co-Kitchens has announced the launch of its latest report, “Scaling Your Food Business Operations 2024,” tailored for F&B professionals at all levels. With the report unveiling hard truths and proven strategies, the report equips readers with actionable guidance to navigate and overcome industry hurdles.
“Drawing from Dubai and London’s vibrant F&B sectors, the report features case studies, market overviews, and strategies covering branding, marketing, product development, and operations. Backed by data and industry expertise, it provides practical insights for F&B ventures. As readers delve into the report, we highlight the pivotal role of co-kitchens in the F&B ecosystem, showcasing how they foster innovation and serve as catalysts for culinary ventures,” comments Shahzad Bhatti, Founder of The Co-Kitchens.
Key Industry Drivers
In 2023, the global economy grappled with mounting inflationary pressures driven by various factors, such as supply chain disruptions, increased energy prices, and wage pressures. In the UK, inflation surged significantly, hitting 11.1% in October 2022, its highest level in 41 years, resulting in a notable increase in the cost of living. London’s restaurant sector faced challenges, with a reported decline in reservations by 12% since 2019, impacting profitability. However, as of December 2023, the UK’s inflation rate stands at 4.0%, showing improvement from its peak.
Meanwhile, in the UAE, inflation remained moderate compared to global trends, reaching 4.9% in January 2023 and decreasing to 2.5% by December 2023. Rising inflation led to a higher cost of living, affecting basic necessities like housing and healthcare. Income variability compounded the issue, with median household disposable income experiencing slight decreases in both the UK and the UAE, resulting in less disposable income for non-essential expenses, including dining out and restaurant meals.
Key Operating Trends
“2023’s challenging economic environment presented unique opportunities for shared kitchen space operators like The Co-Kitchens. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, these spaces became increasingly attractive to individuals seeking to start or expand food-related businesses. The Co-Kitchens experienced a significant increase in business inquiries, with a 65% rise in London and a remarkable 215% increase in Dubai from 2022 to 2023,” comments Bhatti.
Positioned as hubs and testing grounds for aspiring food entrepreneurs, shared kitchen spaces capitalized on the growing demand for smaller batch-cooked food, often made with higher-quality ingredients. The surge in home cooking also led to increased demand for essential cooking ingredients, meal kits, and kitchen equipment from grocery stores. Online food delivery platforms adapted their offerings to include ingredients and cooking instructions, bridging the gap between dining out and home cooking. Collaboration with food producers, retailers, and delivery services further facilitated home cooking ventures, opening new revenue avenues in this evolving market.
2024 Opportunities
In 2024, The Co-Kitchens is poised to embrace transformative trends and seize emerging opportunities in the F&B industry. Advancements in technology offer profound profiling capabilities, enabling F&B brands to better understand their customer demographics.
Moreover, inventory management undergoes a paradigm shift with the integration of AI algorithms. Rather than stockpiling ingredients, businesses leverage AI forecasting systems to analyse historical data and anticipate demand accurately. This strategic approach minimizes excess stock, reduces wastage, and optimizes resource allocation, ultimately cutting costs and environmental impact.
“AI algorithms empower businesses to predict orders and optimize operational strategies proactively. From forecasting manpower requirements to tailoring pricing strategies based on customer behaviours, AI-driven insights enhance operational efficiency and establish a competitive edge in the dynamic F&B landscape. As The Co-Kitchens continues to evolve, our commitment to technological advancements ensures we remain at the forefront of innovation in the industry,” adds Bhatti.
Value Proposition
The Co-Kitchens is purposefully crafted to support growing food businesses, embodying a core philosophy of democratizing entrepreneurship in the food industry. By providing small-scale culinary ventures with access to fully equipped kitchens without prohibitive costs, we enable them to establish their presence in the market. Our kitchens house all essential tools and facilities for food preparation and cooking, complemented by professional cleaning services and dedicated maintenance staff to ensure hygiene and safety standards are maintained.
Currently operating in Dubai and London, two dynamic culinary landscapes, The Co-Kitchens stands at the heart of flourishing culinary scenes where diverse tastes, global influences, and innovative trends converge. In Dubai, with locations in Jebel Ali and Al Sufouh, aspiring food entrepreneurs can tap into a thriving market and benefit from the city’s role as a hub for local and international culinary enthusiasts.
“The Co-Kitchens not only provides essential shared spaces equipped with state-of-the-art facilities but also serves as vibrant hubs for collaboration, community-building, and the realization of culinary dreams. Our strategic presence in the global culinary capitals of Dubai and London underscores our commitment to supporting and shaping the future of the food industry on an international scale,” concludes Bhatti.
Hospitality
Keeta Drone Launches New Drone Delivery Route Serving Dubai Silicon Oasis Headquarters
Keeta Drone, the pioneering air delivery company, today announced the launch of a new drone delivery route serving the headquarters office complex at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation and a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). The route brings on-demand aerial delivery to professionals working within the complex and expands the range of food and beverage brands that can be ordered through Keeta Drone.
The route was inaugurated at DSO headquarters, attended by representatives from Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), and Keeta Drone. The new route builds on Keeta Drone’s established presence in Dubai Silicon Oasis, where its operations already serve RIT– Dubai University and residential communities. Through extending the network to the DSO headquarters complex, the company is introducing aerial delivery services into a commercial workplace environment, expanding the range of locations and customer segments served by its operations.

Badr Buhannad, Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis, said: “Keeta Drone’s expansion to the Dubai Silicon Oasis headquarters reflects the growing role of innovative technologies in shaping more connected and efficient urban environments. As the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation, Dubai Silicon Oasis continues to support Dubai’s ambition to build a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
“This route creates a new scenario in which employees in an office complex experience air deliveries right within their own compound,” said Junwei Yang, General Manager, Keeta Drone. “Bringing the service to DSO HQ is a new feather in Keeta Drone’s cap, expanding access with a new location by adding new community segments to our portfolio.”
Enhancing Workplace Convenience Through Urban Air Mobility
More than 1,000 professionals working within the DSO headquarters commercial complex can now order from participating F&B brands, including Costa Coffee, Bazooka, Tortilla, We Asian, Shawarmary, Chicking, JJ Chicken, Starbucks, Raju Omlet, among others. Orders are delivered to a designated landing and collection point within the complex, allowing employees to access participating outlets without leaving the premises. The service operates daily from 09:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with operations approved by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).
Expanding Access to New Communities and Customer Segments
The new route builds on Keeta Drone’s established presence in the area, complementing its existing delivery points near the lockers located in DSO at RIT Dubai University Campus and the Emirates Airline residential towers, as well as service locations in Nad Al Sheba Grand Mosque and Dubai Land. Operating in the area for more than a year, Keeta Drone continues to expand its network across university, residential and neighbouring communities, extending the reach of its drone delivery services to new locations and customer segments. Keeta Drone has completed more than one million drone deliveries globally, reflecting the scale and reliability of its operations. The milestone highlights the company’s continued efforts to expand drone-enabled logistics services and introduce new delivery use cases across different environments and communities.
Hospitality
This UAE National Day, Put Local on the Menu: The Emirati Founder Reimagining Dates and Camel Milk


As the UAE prepares to celebrate its 55th National Day, it’s time to recognise not only the country’s heritage, but also the homegrown entrepreneurs finding new ways to carry it forward. For young Emirati entrepreneur Rashid Gargash, that means looking at familiar ingredients through a contemporary lens and exploring how they can become part of the way people eat today.
Rashid’s journey began with research into food security and sustainable nutrition in the Middle East. His work examined the region’s agricultural realities, including desalination, groundwater challenges and available food resources. Along the way, dates and camel milk stood out as ingredients with deep connections to the UAE’s food heritage and potential for new applications.
Working alongside food scientists and researchers, Rashid explored how these ingredients could be developed into a nutritious, convenient product suited to contemporary lifestyles. The process eventually led to Rashtions, a UAE-made snack brand that combines dates, camel milk and ghee across a range of protein-rich snacks.
The range includes Date Original, Date Truffle, Cocoa Truffle and Brazilian Coffee Truffle, with products providing up to 20 grams of protein per 80-gram serving. They are made without added sugar, preservatives or artificial sweeteners.
“Rashtions began with a broader question about food security and how we could better understand and utilise the resources available in our region,” said Rashid Gargash, Founder of Rashtions. “Dates and camel milk have long been part of the UAE’s food story, and I wanted to explore how familiar ingredients could be approached through research and innovation to create something relevant to the way people eat today.”
For Rashid, the journey has also reinforced a wider lesson about entrepreneurship: innovation does not always mean starting from scratch. It can begin by looking more closely at what already exists, questioning how it is used and finding new ways to make it relevant. In the food sector, that means considering not only nutritional value, but also taste, convenience and whether a product fits into people’s everyday lives.
As the 55th UAE National Day approaches, Rashid believes supporting homegrown businesses is one way consumers can contribute to the next chapter of the UAE’s entrepreneurial story. Choosing UAE-founded brands and products made in the country can help bring greater visibility to the people developing local ideas into businesses, while demonstrating that heritage and modern innovation can work together.
Rashtions is available through ADNOC and Emarat service stations, Deliveroo and Noon, as well as directly through the brand’s website, with delivery available across the UAE.
Hospitality
From the French Riviera to Abu Dhabi: La Môme Makes Its Grand Debut with an Exclusive Four-Day Race Weekend Takeover

This December, the French Riviera comes to Yas Marina as La Môme makes its Abu Dhabi debut, in partnership with Sunset Hospitality Group, with an exclusive four-day takeover during race weekend. From 3 to 6 December 2026, the celebrated Cannes-born restaurant brings its signature mix of exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, Riviera glamour, and lively entertainment to the capital, creating a sophisticated yet vibrant setting for race-weekend dining and celebrations, minutes from the circuit.
With an established presence at the Monaco Grand Prix, where La Môme Monte-Carlo hosts a rooftop dining and hospitality experience overlooking the famous race circuit, the brand has a longstanding connection to the glamour and excitement of international motor racing. Now, La Môme brings that same spirit to Abu Dhabi, offering a sophisticated setting for long lunches, elegant dinners, and lively evenings.
At the table, La Môme’s approach is generous, expressive, and unmistakably Mediterranean. The menu celebrates quality ingredients and balanced flavours, with starters such as Artichoke Salad and Wagyu Carpaccio with Black Truffle, alongside a refined selection of Oysters and Caviar. Signature pastas and main courses include Tagliolini with King Prawns, Rigatoni with Truffle, and Japanese A5 Wagyu Sirloin.



In the evenings, Sounds of Riviera, a roaming live band from the French Riviera, will move through the restaurant performing French and Italian classics alongside international favourites. Daily DJ sets will move from laid-back Dolce Vita sounds to late-night house music.
Guided by L’Art de Recevoir signé La Môme, the French art of hospitality, the team ensures thoughtful, personalised service, genuine warmth, and attention to detail. Guests are made to feel equally at ease whether enjoying a leisurely afternoon at the table or celebrating late into the evening.
Daily lunch is served from 12PM to 7PM, followed by dinner from 7PM onwards. While guests can dine à la carte on Thursday, 3 December, minimum spends apply from Friday, 4 December to Sunday, 6 December:
- Indoor Dining: AED 500 per person for lunch; AED 1,000 per person for dinner | Terrace Dining: AED 650 per person for lunch; AED 1,200 per person for dinner.
With its combination of refined dining, a vibrant atmosphere, and a prime Yas Marina location, the takeover promises to be a highlight on the city’s social calendar and an essential stop for race-weekend gatherings.
Full prepayment is required to confirm reservations. Cancellations made at least 48 hours in advance are eligible for a full refund, while cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Walk-ins are welcome, subject to availability and the applicable minimum spend.
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