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We are in the business of bringing happiness to our customers

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Brooklyn Creamery

Exclusive interview with Romil Ratra, The Brooklyn Creamery

Highlights of your journey in the hospitality industry and how it has shaped your leadership approach?

My journey in the hospitality industry began at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, leading to a diverse career trajectory. Over the past 29 years, I’ve had the privilege of moving through the ranks from a corporate management trainee to managing established ventures. 

Hospitality, as an industry, is fast paced and keeps one on their toes, fostering out-of-the-box thinking and innovation by design and requirement.

My leadership approach is deeply influenced by my early experiences in luxury hospitality, where attention to detail, exceptional service, and a relentless focus on guest satisfaction were paramount. Today, the same translates into going above and beyond for a great customer experience, focusing on delivering the right product and making sure that service channels are exceptional and we are where our consumers are.

The Brooklyn Creamery offers a unique range of ice creams with health-conscious ingredients. How do you ensure these products stand out in a competitive market?

The Brooklyn Creamery stands out in a competitive market by prioritizing health without compromising on taste. We understand that consumers are increasingly looking for better-for-you options that align with their dietary preferences and lifestyle choices.

Our approach combines cutting-edge food science with an unwavering commitment to quality. We use natural ingredients, avoid added sugars, and focus on creating products that are not only delicious but also nutritious. By staying attuned to global health trends and continuously innovating, we ensure that our ice creams not only meet but exceed the expectations of health-conscious consumers.

What inspired your new product line of latest guilt-free protein ice cream bars?

We have been noticing the shift in consumer sentiment towards protein rich diets and snacks.

Protein has taken a center stage in health conversations and across age groups, our TG is focusing on understanding protein needs through different life stages – it is visible everywhere – in gyms, in health centers, in influencer communities, on social media. It is no surprise that the global growth in the protein ice cream market is predicted to grow at 11% per year to 2030.

The Brooklyn Creamery is driven by these mined insights and what our consumers tell us and thus, came in the protein ice cream bars. The format is stickless, as we understand that a big percentage of usage is post/pre-gym and/or as a snack and we wanted to keep it easy to consume. As a company, we focus on all touchpoints and not just the product or the health benefit.

Can you share an example of a recent innovation at The Brooklyn Creamery?

One of our recent innovations that I’m particularly proud of is the 99-calorie fudge sundae.

We launched it in February 2024, and it sold out within 25 days, which speaks volumes about its popularity and the market’s readiness for such innovative products. The UAE market in particular, is very receptive to trying new formats, and this motivates us to keep pushing the boundaries. The success of this product underscores the importance of understanding consumer preferences and delivering products that not only meet but exceed their expectations.

How do you ensure that your products bring happiness to your customers while aligning with their dietary goals?

We are in the business of bringing happiness to our customers. Ice cream is universally perceived as a product that brings joy, whether it’s part of a family gathering, a date night, or a quick treat to uplift your day. With The Brooklyn Creamery, we ensure that this happiness comes without any guilt but added health benefits. Our products are designed to align with dietary goals, being low in calories and free from added sugars, so our customers can indulge without worry. By offering delicious, healthier alternatives, we provide the best of both worlds—happiness and health.

As an avid gastronome, how do your personal culinary interests and experiences influence the product offerings at The Brooklyn Creamery?

My personal culinary interests and experiences impact the product offerings at The Brooklyn Creamery when it comes to new product development and flavors and to some extent, I’d also like to say global trends as I’m an avid traveler too.

I have a deep appreciation for fine foods and innovative culinary techniques, which inspires me to push the envelope in our product development. Whether it’s experimenting with new flavors, textures, or health-conscious ingredients, my passion for gastronomy drives our commitment to excellence. This personal touch ensures that our products are not only nutritious but also delightfully flavorful, offering a unique culinary experience to our customers. Having an experienced RnD team, food technologists to execute the vision or an idea is a blessing!

Hospitality

Giza Palace Hotel & Spa Partners with IDeaS to Implement Advanced Revenue Management Capabilities

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IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of hospitality revenue management software and services, has deployed the G3 Revenue Management System (RMS) at Giza Palace Hotel & Spa in Cairo, Egypt.

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Giza Palace Hotel & Spa is a brand-new luxury hotel in a prime location in West Cairo. The grandiose hotel features 560 rooms, eight distinctive dining venues, a spa, and extensive conference and meeting facilities. Blending architectural excellence with a curated art collection, the hotel is renowned for its exceptional service and guest experience.

The hotel is owned by Travco Group International, whose hospitality arm, the JAZ Hotel Group, is one of the region’s most prominent hotel operators, with a growing portfolio of over 68 hotels and resorts across Egypt and Zanzibar.

The deployment of IDeaS G3 RMS enables the hotel team to optimize revenue management decisions through precise forecasting, dynamic pricing, and inventory management, as well as streamlined group displacement evaluations and the automation of routine tasks.

A key factor in Giza Palace Hotel & Spa’s selection was IDeaS’ ability to effectively manage the complexity of its inventory. With more than 11 room and suite types across three room categories and eight suite configurations, the property requires advanced predictive analytics to position each room type competitively in one of the region’s most dynamic markets.

IDeaS’ Group Pricing capability addresses another critical segment of the business – the projected impact of displaced demand across their diverse inventory mix – by delivering real-time insights into the value of group business. Designed for speed and simplicity, the feature enables better-informed decisions that account for the full depth of the hotel’s offering, while preserving commercial flexibility.


Alaa Akel, CEO & Chairman JAZ Hotel Group commented:“Giza Palace was created with a clear ambition to set a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Cairo.  Our partnership with IDeaS supports that vision bringing advanced revenue management capabilities to our commercial strategy, allowing us to make smarter decisions, respond to market demand and drive sustainable growth.”

Ibrahim Saba, Principal Sales Director – Europe, Middle East & Africa at IDeaS commented: “Giza Palace Hotel & Spa is exactly the kind of landmark property where intelligent revenue management makes a measurable difference. With a large inventory and a significant conferencing operation, the team is managing considerable complexity across multiple revenue streams. G3 RMS gives them the forecasting precision and group pricing intelligence to ensure every booking reflects the true commercial value of each piece of business.”

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Hospitality

VEGO Expands Beyond Its Café Roots with Launch of Full-Service Kitchen Concept

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VEGO Cafe and Confectionery is entering a new chapter with the launch of its full-service kitchen concept, transforming the homegrown brand from a neighbourhood café into a comprehensive vegetarian dining destination. 

Built on years of customer feedback, catering experience and growing demand for more diverse vegetarian options, the expansion reflects VEGO’s commitment to offering greater variety without compromising on quality or flavour. 

“While Dubai’s dining scene continues to evolve, we identified a gap for a concept that brings together premium ingredients, innovative cooking and accessible pricing within a fully vegetarian setting. This expansion has allowed us to move beyond café favourites and introduce a broader menu that spans everything from street-style chaats and handcrafted dim sums to pizzas, pastas and traditional Indian curries.” said Kashyap Sajnani, Co-founder and Managing Director of VEGO Cafe and Confectionery. 

Inspired by Indian flavours, family traditions, global travel and Dubai’s diverse culinary landscape, the new menu reflects VEGO’s philosophy of combining comfort food with thoughtful innovation. Signature dishes include the Ghewar Chaat, Gochujang Tofu Bowl, Sindhi Curry, Indian Handrolls, Dim Sums and VEGO’s signature Mango Dessert. The expanded menu is also available for catering, extending VEGO’s new offering beyond the dining space for private gatherings, celebrations and events. 

Nearly all components, including sauces, spice blends and key ingredients, are prepared in-house to ensure consistency, quality and value, while the breadth of the menu has been designed to appeal to diners of all ages. 

Complementing the culinary expansion is a refreshed visual identity that reflects VEGO’s growth while retaining the warmth, vibrancy and approachable character that customers have come to know and love. As part of the expansion, the space has also been renovated and the brand logo refreshed, giving the café a renewed look to match its next chapter. The updated look reinforces the brand’s long-term vision of becoming a go-to destination for vegetarian dining in the UAE. 

“We wanted to build a place where grandparents, parents and children can all sit around the same table and find something they genuinely love,” added Kashyap Sajnani, Co-founder and Managing Director of VEGO Cafe and Confectionery. “If people leave feeling like they’ve had an incredible meal at a fair price and can’t wait to come back, then we’ve achieved exactly what we set out to do.” 

To mark the expansion, VEGO is offering guests 15% off all dine-in orders until 31 October. Pricing across the menu remains aligned with the brand’s long-standing commitment to value-driven dining. 

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Hospitality

SANA Celebrates Its First Anniversary An Evening of Uzbek Culture, Culinary Theatre and Live Entertainment

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SANA marks its first anniversary on 1 October with a celebration at its Madinat Jumeirah restaurant, followed by an afterparty at Moon Bar. From a traditional Uzbek welcome to a theatrical dining moment, the evening brings together the food, music and hospitality at the heart of SANA.

The celebration begins at 7:00 PM. For the first 40 minutes, a traditional Uzbek band will perform as two hostesses dressed in traditional Uzbek robes welcome guests with sparkling wine. A live illustrator will create personalised sketches for guests from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Dinner begins at 7:30 PM, with guests invited to choose between SANA’s à la carte menu and a special anniversary set menu priced at AED 450 per person. At 8:30 PM, the slow-roasted leg of lamb will be unveiled in a theatrical presentation accompanied by a belly dance performance to Uzbek music.

The evening’s second live music performance begins at 9:00 PM, when Sculer Band takes the stage followed by the anniversary birthday cake. 

From 11:00 PM, the celebration continues at Moon Bar, where headline DJ BKOFMAN and ARKOV will play sets for the afterparty.

Event details

  • Date: 1 October | Welcome reception: From 7:00 PM
  • Dinner: From 7:30 PM | Location: SANA, Mina Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
  • Dining options: À la carte or anniversary set menu at AED 450 per person | Afterparty: Moon Bar, from 11:00 PM | View the anniversary menu
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