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

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Bordo Mavi

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

AT.MOSPHERE AT BURJ KHALIFA: FOUR MOMENTS, ABOVE THE ORDINARY

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At At.mosphere, guests are welcomed to one of the city’s most coveted tables. High within the Burj Khalifa, dining takes on a rare stillness, with Dubai unfolding far below and the horizon dissolving into sky, creating a sense of scale that feels almost otherworldly.

At AED 155, the day moves through four distinct moments from morning to evening. No matter the hour, there’s a moment that fits.

Sunrise in the Sky – Breakfast
A slow start above the city with two organic eggs your style or fluffy pancakes with raspberry jam and vanilla Chantilly, alongside coffee as Dubai wakes beneath you.
Time: 8:00 am to 11:30 am

Business Lunch
A midday selection featuring roasted sea bream with black Venere rice or slow-cooked beef cheek with potato purée, finishing on something light.
Time: 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Afternoon Tea
Delicate sandwiches, warm English scones with jam and artisanal cream, and classic pastries served as the light shifts across the skyline.
Time: 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Golden Hour – Cocktails and Bites
Golden hour takes over with signature cocktails, curated bites, and a skyline that naturally draws you in.
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

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Hospitality

BAVARIAN-ARAB SOCIETY OPENS OFFICE AT MUNICH AIRPORT

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With the opening of its office at Munich Airport, the Bavarian-Arab Society is creating a one-of-a-kind contact point for Arab travelers right at the airport. The initiative aims to build a lasting bridge between Bavaria and the Arab world, as well as enhance the passenger experience for guests from this region by making it more personalized, comfortable, and culturally sensitive.

The society sees itself as a point of contact and an active mediator among passengers, airlines, the airport operator, the region, and business and tourism partners. Its approach is holistically aligned with the entire travel chain – from the moment passengers arrive at the airport through their stay in Munich and Bavaria.

Its services include, among other things, personal assistance for Arab guests at the airport, the promotion of cultural understanding, and the development of tailored service offerings such as “Meet & Assist.” The Bavarian-Arab Society works closely with Arab airline representatives and consulates to identify their needs and wishes, translating them into concrete improvements or further optimizing existing offerings.

The close connection between the society and Munich Airport, as well as the strategic importance of the Arab market, is also evident in the leadership structure at the highest level. Dr. Jan-Henrik Andersson, Munich Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Security Officer, is also the Bavarian-Arab Society’s president. Andersson and the society’s Vice President, Youssef El Aobaidi, will work together to ensure the continued success of the Bavarian-Arab Association.

Dr. Jan-Henrik Andersson said, “The opening of our new office sends a clear message: Arab guests are warmly welcomed at Munich Airport. This spirit of hospitality should be experienced throughout the entire customer journey, not just in isolated instances.”

The new office opened almost simultaneously with the recently inaugurated Terminal 1 Pier, which is specifically tailored to the needs of Arab travelers with high-quality retail and dining options – including halal-friendly choices and prayer rooms.

“The vision of the Bavarian-Arab Society is to create a vibrant platform for intercultural dialogue and economic exchange, and to strengthen Munich and Bavaria’s appeal as destinations for Arab travelers,” explains Metin Ülker, General Manager of the Bavarian-Arab Society.

With this opening, Munich Airport is signaling its commitment to internationalism, genuine hospitality, and its position as a cosmopolitan, service-oriented hub.

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Hospitality

VAPIANO INTRODUCES BREAKFAST FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY ACROSS UAE OUTLETS

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Vapiano is set to introduce breakfast for the first time in its history across its UAE outlets, marking an exciting new chapter for the international dining brand. The new Vapiano Breakfast Menu has been created to bring a fresh, social, and relaxed international lifestyle experience to the morning dining scene, offering guests a new way to begin their day with freshly prepared dishes, premium ingredients, and world-class Illy coffee.

Owned and operated in the UAE by Al Ahlia Group, Al Ahlia General Trading Company PVT LTD, which was conceived and established in 1979 by a group of prominent UAE Nationals, Vapiano continues to strengthen its presence in the country’s evolving food and beverage landscape.

Known for its fresh ingredients, casual dining atmosphere, and made-to-order culinary experience, Vapiano is now extending its offering into breakfast with a menu designed to appeal to today’s evolving dining preferences. The new breakfast selection has been created to bring together comfort, freshness, convenience, and flavour, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed breakfast experience whether they are starting their workday, meeting friends, taking a slow morning break, or enjoying a weekend gathering.

The launch is especially significant as it represents the first Vapiano Breakfast Menu to be introduced anywhere in the world, with the UAE selected as the pioneering market for this new chapter in the brand’s journey. This global first reflects the UAE’s dynamic dining culture, its appetite for fresh culinary experiences, and its position as a leading market for innovation in the food and beverage sector.

The new breakfast menu features a wide variety of dishes created for different tastes and morning moods. Guests can enjoy wholesome bowls, warm croissant-based favourites, egg dishes, sourdough options, fresh juices, smoothies, coffee, and tea.

The menu also includes comforting favourites such as Classic Omelette and Shakshuka, served on Vapiano’s baked sourdough pizza base. For guests looking for lighter and refreshing options, the menu offers the House Granola Acai Bowl, Mango Chia Pot, and Feel-Good Bowl, alongside freshly squeezed juices and a selection of coffee and tea options.

With the introduction of breakfast, Vapiano aims to become a new morning destination for guests seeking quality, freshness, and a warm social setting. The menu has been designed not only as a food offering, but as a complete morning experience – one that encourages guests to gather, connect, share, and enjoy a different side of Vapiano.

“Breakfast is one of the most important moments of the day, and we are excited to bring the Vapiano experience into this occasion for the very first time,” said Ilenia Alba, Head of Operation. “Launching the first Vapiano Breakfast Menu worldwide in the UAE is a proud milestone for us. This market has always embraced fresh ideas and new dining experiences, making it the perfect place to introduce our breakfast concept. We look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy good mornings, fresh flavours, and memorable moments at Vapiano.”

The introduction of Vapiano Breakfast also responds to a growing demand for morning dining experiences that are casual, social, and high quality. With more guests looking for places that offer both convenience and atmosphere, Vapiano’s breakfast menu creates a new opportunity for people to enjoy the brand earlier in the day.

The Vapiano Breakfast Menu will be available from May 20 across Vapiano UAE outlets at Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall, Bawadi Mall Al Ain, Palm Jumeirah Mall, City Centre Al Zahia, City Centre Deira, and Al Jimi Mall.

For more information, guests can follow @VapianoUAE on social media.


About Vapiano

Vapiano is an international restaurant brand known for its relaxed atmosphere, fresh ingredients, and made-to-order dining experience. With a menu inspired by Italian flavours and a casual social setting, Vapiano brings people together over fresh food, warm hospitality, and memorable dining moments.

In the UAE, Vapiano is owned and operated by Al Ahlia Group, Al Ahlia General Trading Company PVT LTD, which was conceived and established in 1979 by a group of prominent UAE Nationals.

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