Hospitality

What You Serve Your Family Should Be Good Enough for Your Guests

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2024

Integrator Web-Editor

Exclusive interview with Chef Xaris Xygkakis, Bordo Mavi

How did your grandmother’s kitchen influence your culinary passion?

My grandmother’s kitchen was a haven of quality, far from the city’s hustle. We enjoyed the freshest produce and boldest flavors, creating meals that were simple yet profound. Though she wasn’t a professional chef, she taught me the true essence of cooking from the heart and the importance of generosity. Her belief that what you serve your family should be good enough for your guests has stuck with me. These invaluable lessons, rooted in love and care, are something you can’t always learn from professional chefs.

How will you incorporate your diverse culinary experiences into Bordo Mavi’s seafood menu?

Every cuisine offers unique styles and techniques that hold valuable lessons. From the vibrant ceviche of Peru to the Nordics’ minimalist approach and their delicate use of herbs to enhance fish, I’ve come to deeply respect these diverse traditions. At Bordo Mavi, I aim to blend the best of many worlds, ensuring that each dish honors its ingredients and the techniques that bring them to life.

Your career has spanned various cuisines and techniques, from Nordic to South American so how do you integrate these diverse influences into your current role at Bordo Mavi?

At Bordo Mavi, I blend extraordinary techniques from diverse cultures into our dishes. Take our ceviche, for example—we use ingredients from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, creating a fusion that is both unique and respectful of the original methods. This approach allows us to honor tradition while crafting something truly special.

Can you share a few of your signature dishes that you’re excited to introduce at Bordo Mavi, and what makes them special?

I’m particularly proud of our new baby squid chickpea casserole, inspired by the Aegean. The ingredients harmonize beautifully, creating a delightful culinary experience. Another standout is the Nemo, our unique take on seabream, which truly captures the essence of the ocean and brings it right to your table.

Bordo Mavi’s menu features 200-year-old recipes, so how do you balance preserving these traditional dishes while introducing innovative culinary techniques and flavors?

Our goal is to honor tradition while keeping it vibrant and alive. When traditional recipes are altered too much, they lose their integrity and beauty. Any changes we make are done thoughtfully, preserving the essence of each dish. We want our guests to taste, feel, and experience these cherished traditions. True evolution comes from respecting, not overshadowing, tradition.

As August is the month of happiness, how do you ensure that the dining experience at Bordo Mavi brings joy and happiness to your guests?

We’re dedicated to sourcing only the highest quality, in-season ingredients. If something isn’t at its best, we simply won’t serve it. My grandmother instilled in me the belief that what we serve our family should be good enough for our guests. This unwavering commitment to quality ensures that every dining experience brings joy and happiness to our guests.

Hospitality

TIMES SQUARE CENTER FOSTERS COMMUNITY TOGETHERNESS THIS EID WITH MR. KIND

Published

6 days ago

March 17, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Times Square Center will mark Eid Al Fitr with a three-day family experience from 20–22 March 2026, running 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM daily, featuring the beloved mascot Mr. Kind.

Under the theme “LOVE EID – A Day of Caring, Sharing & Fun!”, the event invites families to experience a lively programme of interactive shows, creative workshops, and engaging activities designed to entertain children while sharing positive messages around kindness, courage, and friendship.

Young visitors will also receive a complimentary Mr. Kind’s Book of Missions, packed with activities, badge stickers, and access to a library of transformational songs and missions that extend the fun beyond the event.

Event schedule

Mr. Kind Village Workshop (Creativity corner) : 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Ground Floor
Mr. Kind Show + Meet & Greet: 4:15 – 5:00 PM & 6:00–6:45 PM | Ground Floor
Mr. Kind Parade: 5:15 PM – 5:35 PM | Roaming throughout the Mall

With music, performances, and interactive experiences throughout the day, Times Square Center aims to provide a friendly space for families to connect and share meaningful moments together.

At Times Square Center, the safety and wellbeing of our community remain a priority. We encourage everyone to follow any guidance or protocols issued by the relevant authorities.

Hospitality

BKRY PARTNERS WITH BROOKI BAKEHOUSE FOR EXCLUSIVE LIMITED-EDITION CROOKIE

Published

6 days ago

March 17, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This Ramadan, bkry unveils an exclusive collaboration with Australia’s cult-favourite Brooki Bakehouse by introducing the bkry Brooki Crookie. Priced at AED 39 per piece, this special edition pastry will be available daily until the end of Ramadan in limited quantities exclusively at the bkry pop-up in Marsa Boulevard.

Thoughtfully developed as a celebration of shared creativity and experimental baking, the collaboration brings together bkry’s artisanal approach with Brooki Bakehouse’s globally renowned flavours. Designed to be enjoyed as a moment of indulgence after sunset, the Crookie reflects both brands’ craftsmanship, curiosity, and comfort-led baking.

At the heart of the collaboration is the Crookie: a buttery, flaky croissant filled and topped with wholewheat brown-butter cookie dough, and enveloped with Tanzanian milk chocolate. Baked until golden and crisp on the outside, with a soft, gooey centre, the Crookie offers a layered textural experience that combines richness with subtlety.

To mark the official launch, bkry Founder and Head Chef Kameel and Brooki Bakehouse Founder Brooke Bellamy will be present at Marsa Boulevard on Saturday, 28 February at 8:00 PM, celebrating the partnership and their shared passion for innovative baking.

Founded by Brooke Bellamy, Brooki Bakehouse is an Australian-born bakery known for its indulgent, cult-favourite baked goods and playful approach to classic flavours. What began in Brisbane has grown into a globally recognised brand with a loyal international following, driven by Brooke’s distinctive style and community-led storytelling. Celebrated for bold flavours, generous textures, and modern comfort baking, Brooki Bakehouse brings a globally relevant perspective to the collaboration, making it a natural partner for bkry’s experimental, craft-led approach.

Available throughout Ramadan at bkry’s Marsa Boulevard pop-up, the bkry x Brooki collaboration reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to meaningful partnerships and thoughtful experimentation – bringing together global influence and local craftsmanship in moments designed to be shared and savoured, setting the tone for a collaboration everyone has been waiting for.

Hospitality

THE BILTMORE VILLAS DUBAI INTRODUCES EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE VILLA STAYCATIONS THIS EID

Published

6 days ago

March 17, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

The Biltmore Villas Dubai unveils a limited-time Exclusive Private Villa Staycation, inviting guests to indulge in a rare blend of seclusion, sophistication, and resort-style living within one of Dubai’s most prestigious luxury villa resorts.

Conceived for discerning guests who appreciate privacy and understated luxury, the fully serviced villas offer the spaciousness of a private residence complemented by the attentive service and refined amenities of a world-class resort. Each villa is appointed with a private temperature-controlled swimming pool, an in-villa cinema, and secure underground parking with direct access to the residence, all set within a gated enclave with round-the-clock security.

Guests booking during the promotional period will enjoy a curated collection of premium benefits:

25% off the Best Available Rate
AED 1,000 daily resort credit
Underground secure parking
Complimentary 60-minute daily padel session
Complimentary daily fitness classes
Complimentary daily laundry service

The experience offers an elegant urban retreat where privacy, generous living space, and personalized hospitality come together to create an exceptional staycation in the heart of Dubai.