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

STAY DOWNTOWN, SAVE MORE

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Address Downtown, Address Dubai Mall, Address Sky View, Vida Dubai Mall, and Palace Downtown invite guests to a memorable family staycation designed to reconnect, explore, and delight together. Step away from the pace of everyday life and discover Downtown Dubai from a fresh perspective, where families and friends can enjoy quality time, exciting attractions, and the warmth of exceptional hospitality in the heart of the city.

Guests can enjoy:

• Daily breakfast
• Early check-in from 11:00 AM and late check-out till 4:00 PM
• 30% off dining and spa treatments
• Kids Stay and dine free (up to 11 years old)
• Complimentary ticket to one Emaar Entertainment attraction per stay, choose between Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Sky Views Observatory with Slide, or Dubai Ice Rink
• Prime location steps away from Dubai Mall and Downtown Dubai attractions

Families can explore, play, and create lasting memories while dining at the hotel’s signature restaurants, such as Thiptara, Ewaan, Solara, and Cetara.

Rediscover Downtown Dubai and embrace a city escape made for connection, fun, and memorable experiences. It’s time to unlock your next moment. Moments continue. Experiences evolve.

Hospitality

UBK AT MÖVENPICK JUMEIRAH LAKES TOWERS RAISES A GLASS FOR DUBAI’S MOST LOYAL COMPANIONS WITH “PAWS & POUR”

Published

3 days ago

April 30, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Some things in life stay beautifully constant, and for many Dubai residents, that has been their pets. Through everyday routines, slow days, and everything in between, pet parents have built their lives around their four-legged companions in the most natural, heartwarming way. UBK at Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers is celebrating that bond with Paws & Pour, a feel-good gesture for guests who stayed in Dubai with their pets during the recent period of regional uncertainty.

Visit UBK, show a photo of you and your pet from the past two months in Dubai, and enjoy a complimentary non-alcoholic drink on the house every Sunday only from 12pm-12am. Just a simple cheer to a not-so-simple bond. Because UBK has always been proudly pet-friendly, especially with Paws & Play running Sunday to Thursday from 12pm to 7pm, where dogs are very much part of the vibe. Plus, guests can enjoy 30% off food and beverages while spending time with their furry plus-ones.

Paws & Pour is UBK doing what it does best, keeping things easy, welcoming, and full of personality. A little toast to loyalty, companionship, and the pets who make every day better just by being in it.

Hospitality

YOUR FAMILY HOLIDAY JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE INTERESTING AT SIYAM WORLD

Published

3 days ago

April 30, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Part of the Lifestyle Collection of Sun Siyam, Siyam World has never really done “ordinary.” And with two of its most high-energy island experiences now firmly on the weekly roster, families, groups and anyone with a competitive streak have even more reason to book that trip.

Lace Up: The Siyam World 3K Wellness Run:

Every week, guests gather at the start line for the Siyam World 3K Wellness Run, where good vibes meet great views. Clearly marked pathways guide the way to a marathon-style route around the island but the rules are simple: go at your own pace, take in the views, and enjoy the moment. Run it, jog it, or power-walk it with a smoothie in hand. No judgment here. Cross the finish line and you’ll earn an exclusive Siyam World 3K Run badge, the most stylish souvenir you’ll take home, and the ultimate bragging rights for completing a 3K on the most epic island in the Maldives. It’s all about moving, smiling, and enjoying the moment.

Game Faces On: The Amazing Race

For families and groups ready to turn up the heat, The Amazing Race is exactly what it sounds like, chaotic, competitive, and seriously good fun. Teams of up to five kick off at the starting point before racing across the island, completing challenges and hunting down clues at every turn. Five challenges. Multiple locations. Zero time to waste. It’s a test of speed, teamwork and quick thinking with a generous helping of chaos thrown in for good measure. And the rewards? Very worth running for. The winning team takes home a complimentary excursion, second place hits the waves on a banana boat, and third place gets behind the wheel at the Maldives’ first-ever resort based electric go-kart circuit. Not a bad consolation prize.

Whether you’re chasing that runner’s high, racing your kids across the island, or just looking for something a little different from the usual sun-lounger routine, Siyam World delivers. Every experience is designed to bring people together, keep the energy high, and create the kind of memories that don’t fade with the tan.

A World Beyond Your Wildest.

Siyam World’s summer offer makes it easier than ever to say yes. Save up to 45% off, enjoy USD 150 resort credit, and settle in to Premium 24hrs WOW! All-inclusive from the moment you arrive. Stay 4 nights and a seaplane transfer is on the house — stay 7 and that extends to two guests, plus a floating breakfast for two. And for families, children under 12 stay completely free when sharing with adults. The only question is how long you can stay. Book your stay NOW.