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The Secret Ingredient is Teamwork (and a Centralized Kitchen)!

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Mondoux

Exclusive Interview with Katarina Filipova, Founder, Mondoux UAE

Mondoux is known for its affordable luxury culinary experience. How do you balance affordability with high-quality ingredients?

What helps us achieve this balance is sustainability. We have a centralized kitchen, where all things are delivered, prepared, and packed precisely in one place. In this way, there is no risk of waste. Above all, cook well so that customers like the food and nothing is wasted.

Since opening your first branch in Dubai Creek Harbour, you’ve expanded to Downtown and JBR. What factors do you consider when choosing new locations for Mondoux?

Each of our locations caters to a different type of customer, where some branches serve tourists and others serve residential communities. One of our most pivotal factors when choosing a location is a space where time feels like it passes differently, which is a very challenging task when assembling the experience of Mondoux.

What is your process for developing new dishes and ensuring they meet your brand’s standards?

Quality is paramount. We select the best suppliers and centralize the production of our products, like in our JBR branch, which has a central bakery. Additionally, we are selective with the spices and marinades we use, and we don’t add any onion or garlic because it can overpower the freshness of the natural produce.

Furthermore, our house team across all branches is ingrained with the principle that any dish served must represent essential Mondoux values—fresh flavoUrs, minimalism, and the health-driven focus we live and breathe. For instance, we introduced Central European delicacies like ‘busty’ prepared from scratch using real yeast, a rarity in the market. Similarly, we use organic chocolate to offer patrons a decadent and authentic flavour that is not overly processed.

The work culture in Dubai differs from Slovakia, with a strong emphasis on teamwork. How do you foster this culture within your team?

We highlight our team by showcasing our kitchen and floor staff in engaging videos. This fosters community within our organization and creates a vibrant work culture that resonates with our employees. Likewise, we’ve always tried to be supportive of every family situation. For example, when Chef Luisa was hired, her baby was only four months old, so together, we agreed on a split shift, allowing her to spend more time with her little one.

What is your favorite dish at Mondoux, and why? Is there a special story or inspiration behind it?

My favorite dishes would be desserts like French brioche and homemade cakes. These dishes were a part of the initial menu when we opened 11 years ago and were selected from my cherished home recipes. These specific desserts now continue to serve as the foundation for all our restaurants.

How do you design and maintain an environment that promotes happiness and well-being for your guests?

Design is a hot topic with us at the moment. Our rules have been about using solid wood, warm, inviting materials, and creating a dynamic café and comfortable space.

“For me, happiness lies in having passion and love for what I do. Only through this passion and love can one truly savor the sensual experience of food and drinks. This same passion and love drive me to ensure my customers always remain happy and satisfied.”

Hospitality

FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE: HEALTHY SIPS FOR DADS WHO PUT WELLNESS FIRST

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This Father’s Day, skip the usual gifts and treat health-conscious dads to something that supports their wellbeing from the inside out. UAE homegrown brand Saba Plant-Based offers a range of organic, probiotic-rich drinks crafted using fermentation, live cultures and carefully selected ingredients to support digestive wellness while delivering great taste. Convenient, refreshing and easy to incorporate into daily routines, these functional beverages make thoughtful gifts for fathers looking to prioritise healthy habits.

Water Kefir
Light, fruity and refreshing, Saba Plant-Based’s newly launched Water Kefir is packed with live probiotics that support gut health. This water-based fermented drink is caffeine-free, gentle on digestion and ideal for staying refreshed throughout the warmer months.

Flavours available in Blue Spirulina & Lemon Mint and Dragon Fruit, Strawberry & Lemon.

Apple Cider Vinegar Shots

For dads who appreciate practical wellness solutions, these convenient gut health shots are made with raw apple cider vinegar and designed to support healthy daily habits. Easy to enjoy at home, at work or on the go, they offer a simple addition to any wellness routine.

Flavours available in Cardamom & Ginger and Verbena & Orange Blossom.

Plant-Based Kefir

Made with organic coconut milk and live vegan kefir cultures, this creamy dairy-free alternative is rich in beneficial bacteria that support digestive wellbeing. It can be enjoyed on its own or added to smoothies and breakfast bowls for a probiotic boost.

Flavour available in Natural, Vanilla and Mango-Pineapple.

Organic Kombucha
As the first brand to locally brew organic-certified kombucha in the UAE, Saba Plant-Based offers a naturally refreshing fermented tea made with live cultures and organic ingredients. Raw, unpasteurised and low in sugar, it provides a flavourful alternative to conventional soft drinks.

Available in Classic, Mango, Raspberry, Peppermint, Hibiscus Basil, Cardamom and Ginger Turmeric.

Whether your father is a fitness enthusiast, wellness advocate or simply looking to make healthier everyday choices, Saba Plant-Based’s range of probiotic drinks offers a thoughtful Father’s Day gift that supports gut health, hydration and overall wellbeing.

The brand’s full gut-healthy product range can be purchased on www.sabaplantbased.ae or at supermarkets across UAE including Kibsons, Spinneys and Waitrose.

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Hospitality

ROHINI DUBAI LAUNCHES REFLECTIVE KINTSUGI KAHANI EXPERIENCE FOR CREATIVE AUDIENCES

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On 27 June, Rohini will host the Kintsugi Kahani Experience, inspired by the Japanese art of golden repair. Rooted in the philosophy of embracing imperfection, the experience invites guests to explore creativity through a hands-on workshop that celebrates the beauty found in flaws and life’s imperfections.

Throughout the evening, participants will create a meaningful keepsake to take home while engaging with the centuries-old concept of transforming brokenness into something beautiful and unique. Designed as a reflective and creative experience, the workshop offers guests an opportunity to connect with the art form in an intimate and inspiring setting.

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Hospitality

GCC Travellers Are Heading Away Earlier for Eid Al Adha, Dragonpass Data Reveals

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Dragonpass, the world’s leading provider of digital airport ecosystem platforms, has revealed new travel data showing a notable shift in how travellers across the GCC are planning their Eid journeys, with demand surging before Eid Al Adha rather than during the holiday itself.

According to Dragonpass data, travel activity across the GCC increased by 69% in the week leading up to Eid Al Adha 2026. However, rather than peaking during the holiday period, travel activity declined by 24% during Eid week and a further 18% in the week immediately after, suggesting many travellers chose to depart ahead of the holiday period.

The trend marks a clear contrast to Eid Al Fitr earlier this year, when travel activity across the GCC rose by 6% during the holiday week itself before declining by 20% in the following week. Saudi Arabia recorded the strongest Eid Al Fitr uplift in the region, with travel activity increasing by 25% during the holiday week.

Several GCC markets recorded particularly strong growth in the lead-up to Eid Al Adha. Kuwait saw the largest increase, with travel activity rising by 124.7% week-on-week, followed by Bahrain (+108.5%), the UAE (+79.2%), Qatar (+59.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+58.4%).

Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “The contrast between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is one of the most interesting travel trends we have observed this year. While Eid Al Fitr generated a more traditional holiday-week travel spike, Eid Al Adha saw travellers moving significantly earlier, with demand building before the holiday rather than during it.

“This highlights the dynamic nature of travel behaviour across the GCC and reinforces the importance of understanding how demand shifts around key travel periods. Despite periods of disruption affecting regional travel earlier this year, demand across the GCC has remained resilient, with travellers continuing to prioritise leisure and holiday travel.”

Saudi Arabia remained one of the region’s strongest-performing travel markets throughout both holiday periods. During Eid Al Fitr, the Kingdom recorded the clearest holiday-driven uplift in the GCC, with growth spread across several major airports. Madinah recorded the strongest increase at 58%, followed by Jeddah (29%), Dammam (25%) and Riyadh (22%).

During Eid Al Adha, Madinah again stood out as a key exception to the wider regional trend, recording a 20% increase during Eid week and a further 58% increase post-Eid, reflecting continued religious travel activity around the holiday period.

Looking ahead, Dragonpass expects strong travel demand across the GCC throughout the summer months. The latest Eid travel trends suggest travellers are becoming more deliberate in how they plan journeys around peak holiday periods, while demand for regional and international travel remains resilient. As summer travel gathers pace, these shifting patterns are expected to continue shaping passenger flows across the region.

As aviation connectivity continues to expand across the GCC, understanding how travellers adapt their behaviour around major holidays and peak travel periods will become increasingly important for airports, airlines and the wider travel ecosystem.

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