Hospitality
Precision, Passion, and Fresh Produce – That’s My Recipe
Interview with: Mohamad Albalkhi, Executive Chef, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts
What inspired you to pursue a career in the culinary arts, particularly in the luxury market?
My culinary journey began on the family farm, surrounded by fresh and organic produce. From the age of 13, I was captivated by the joy of cooking, preparing meals with the fresh produce from our farm. Although I initially worked as an accountant, my passion for cooking never died. When my workplace launched a culinary school offering a three-year diploma, I took the opportunity to turn my love for cooking into a career. There’s nothing more fulfilling than creating exquisite dishes and sharing them with others.
How has your experience working with a variety of cuisines—Arabic, Italian, French, and Indian—shaped your approach to creating unique dining experiences?
My journey through Arabic, Italian, French, and Indian cuisines has significantly shaped my approach to crafting unique dining experiences. Each cuisine has brought its own lessons: French cooking taught me the art of precision and elegance, Italian cuisine highlighted the value of simplicity and quality, and Indian flavors introduced me to the complexity of spices. Combining these diverse influences allows me to create dining experiences that blend different traditions, resulting in truly memorable meals for our guests. Of course, my deep connection with Arabic cuisine forms the heart of my culinary approach. Having grown up surrounded by these vibrant flavors and cooking them from a young age, I bring an authentic touch to every dish, ensuring that our Arabic offerings are both heartfelt and exceptional.
As an Executive Chef at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, what are your key priorities for the dining outlets under your leadership?
As the Executive Chef, my main goal is to ensure that each dining experience at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach is both distinct and unforgettable. I am dedicated to upholding the highest culinary standards across all our venues, ensuring each restaurant offers its own unique identity and flavor profile.
Our approach to dining revolves around crafting seasonal menus that highlight the finest ingredients and showcase a variety of cooking styles. We blend traditional techniques with modern innovation to create dishes that are as visually appealing as they are flavorful. From artfully prepared contemporary classics to inventive twists on global cuisines, every dish is designed to offer a memorable culinary experience.
We emphasize a thoughtful approach to cooking, with each menu reflecting a deep understanding of flavor combinations and presentation. Whether it is through the use of refined techniques or the introduction of bold, new flavors, our goal is to provide a diverse range of dining options that cater to all tastes and preferences. By focusing on these elements, we ensure that every meal at our hotel is a distinctive and exceptional part of our guests’ stay, creating a culinary journey that is both enjoyable and memorable.
Can you share an example of a new trend or dining style you’re excited to introduce at Mövenpick?
One trend I am excited to introduce at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach is the focus on sustainable, farm-to-table dining. We are embracing locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients to create dishes that reduce our environmental footprint. For instance, we have developed a menu that features organic produce and locally sourced seafood, paired with innovative cooking techniques that highlight the natural flavors of these ingredients. This approach not only aligns with our commitment to sustainability but also delivers a fresh and authentic dining experience that our guests will truly appreciate.
How do you approach mentoring and developing your culinary team to ensure both their growth, and the success of the hotel’s dining experiences?
I mentor my culinary team by creating a dynamic and nurturing environment where personal growth and culinary excellence go hand in hand. I emphasize hands-on learning and encourage experimentation with new techniques and ideas. Regular feedback and personalized training help each team member enhance their skills while staying motivated. By setting clear, achievable goals and offering opportunities for career advancement, I aim to cultivate a passionate and skilled team that consistently elevates our dining experiences and contributes to the hotel’s success.
How do you foster a collaborative environment among your team?
Fostering collaboration is all about promoting open communication and a sense of shared purpose. I organize regular team meetings to discuss ideas and address challenges, making sure everyone’s voice is heard. Encouraging a culture of mutual respect and support helps build trust and camaraderie. I also implement cross-training, so team members can learn from each other and appreciate different roles within the kitchen. This collaborative spirit not only boosts creativity and efficiency but also strengthens our collective drive to deliver outstanding dining experiences.
Hospitality
Terrace Dining, Oktoberfest, and Beach Days Return to InterContinental Abu Dhabi This October



With cooler days and balmy evenings returning to the capital, October brings a welcome change of pace at InterContinental Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences. From leisurely afternoons by the water to al fresco dining and relaxing staycations, the waterfront destination offers plenty of reasons to make the most of Abu Dhabi’s beautiful autumn weather.
At Bayshore Beach Club, sun-filled days are best spent between the pool and private beach, with day passes, private cabanas and spa treatments offering different ways to unwind. As evening falls, the terrace at Byblos Sur Mer welcomes guests back for Lebanese dining, marina views, and live entertainment. Elsewhere, the new Chamas Series brings Brazilian flavours, churrasco, and lively entertainment to the weekly calendar, while Belgian Café joins the Oktoberfest festivities with ten days of hearty food, beers, and live music. Adding to the line-up, Porto Gina reopens on 15 October, welcoming guests back for Italian favourites and relaxed dining by the marina.
For those looking to extend their time by the water, a family-friendly staycation offers comfortable accommodation, dining, and beach club access, making InterContinental Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences an inviting address for a leisurely October break.
Belgian Café
A little Bavarian cheer is coming to Belgian Café at InterContinental Abu Dhabi as the popular Oktoberfest celebrations return from 16 to 25 October. For ten days, the much-loved venue will embrace the festivities with hearty food, flowing beers, and live entertainment, bringing a taste of Munich’s famous celebration to the capital.
A special Oktoberfest menu will feature hearty favourites and generous sharing dishes, best enjoyed alongside Belgian Café’s extensive beer selection. Live entertainment on selected evenings will add to the festive atmosphere, making it a lively spot to gather with friends and raise a glass.
The celebrations run alongside Belgian Café’s popular weekly offers, from All-day Mussels on Tuesdays to Burger & Brew on Thursdays and a traditional Sunday Roast, giving regulars and newcomers plenty of reasons to pull up a chair throughout October.
All-Day Mussels
Date: Every Tuesday, all day.
Price: AED 95 for two pots of mussels.
Burger & Brew
Date: Every Thursday, all day.
Price: AED 95 per person for a burger and a pint of Stella.
Sunday Roast
Date: Every Sunday, 1pm to 5pm.
Price: From AED 95 per person for a traditional Sunday Roast served with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potato, and sautéed vegetables.
Oktoberfest
Date: 16 to 25 October, with live entertainment in the evenings.
Price: À la carte.
Bistro 81 at InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi
A new addition to Abu Dhabi’s dining scene, Bistro 81 at InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi brings the charm of a Mediterranean brasserie to the capital. Relaxed yet refined, the restaurant celebrates seasonal flavours, sharing-style dishes and the pleasure of good food enjoyed in equally good company.
From leisurely breakfasts and morning coffee to Mediterranean-inspired lunches and elegant dinners, Bistro 81 moves naturally through the day. With contemporary interiors, warm hospitality, and an inviting atmosphere, it’s a welcome new address for residents and visitors looking to settle in over a meal, catch up with friends, or enjoy an unhurried evening.
Byblos Sur Mer
Overlooking the private marina at InterContinental Abu Dhabi, the four-time MICHELIN-selected Lebanese restaurant brings together authentic Lebanese cuisine, warm hospitality, and live entertainment in a beautiful waterfront setting.
The weekly line-up offers plenty of reasons to visit, from a three-course Business Lunch and daily Happy Hour with 50% off beverages to Layali Byblos on Friday and Saturday evenings, where live singers, music and belly dancing accompany a four-course menu. Sundays bring Brunch Al Lubnani, a leisurely four-course Lebanese feast with live entertainment.
Adding to the October calendar, celebrated singer Sobih Tawfiq takes to the stage on 31 October for a special performance, promising an evening of Lebanese food, music and marina views.
Business Lunch
Date: Monday to Friday, 12.30pm to 4.30pm.
Happy Hour
Date: Daily, 4pm to 7pm.
Brunch Al Lebnani
Date: Every Sunday from 1pm, with live entertainment from 2pm to 6pm.
Sobhi Tawfiq Live Performance
Date: Saturday, 31 October, 10.30pm to 2.30am.
For reservations or further information, call 050 721 1079.
Chamas
The unmistakable energy of Brazil takes centre stage at Chamas Churrascaria, where flame-grilled meats, handcrafted cocktails, and live entertainment set the tone for lively evenings. At the heart of it all is the traditional churrasco ritual: Passadores carve 12 premium cuts tableside, paired with a generous gourmet salad selection.
The newly introduced Chamas Series gives each evening its own character. Wednesdays bring Churrasco & Caipirinha Night, pairing flame-grilled cuts with refreshing Brazilian cocktails, while Thursdays take a more leisurely turn with Vinho & Churrasco, celebrating the pairing of grilled meats and wine. Fridays turn up the energy with a Carnival-inspired evening of samba dancers, live percussion, and Latin rhythms, bringing the excitement of Brazil’s famous celebrations to the restaurant alongside its signature churras co dining.
The entertainment continues throughout the week, with live singers from Wednesday to Saturday, 7.30pm to 10pm, and Chamas After Dark DJs every Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 1 am.
12-Cut Churrasco Experience
Date: Tuesday to Sunday, from 6pm.
Price: AED 260 per person for 12 premium cuts and a gourmet salad selection.
Evening Bites
Date: Daily, from 5pm.
Price: From AED 65 per dish.
Churrasco & Caipirinha Night
Date: Every Wednesday, 6pm to 11pm, with live entertainment from 7pm to 10pm.
Price: AED 260 per person, including 12 premium cuts, a gourmet salad selection, and one carafe of Caipirinha.
Vinho & Churrasco
Date: Every Thursday, 6pm to 11pm, with live entertainment from 7pm to 10pm.
Price: AED 260 per person for 12 premium cuts and a gourmet salad selection, and 50% off bottled wines.
Friday Samba
Date: Every Friday, 6pm to 11pm, with live entertainment from 7pm to 10pm.
Price: AED 260 per person for 12 premium cuts and a gourmet salad selection.
Chamas After Dark
Date: Every Friday and Saturday, 10pm to 1am, with DJ
Price: À la carte
Fishmarket
An Abu Dhabi institution since 1989, Fishmarket at InterContinental Abu Dhabi has welcomed generations of diners with its distinctive market-to-table approach to seafood. This October, rediscover the charm of this much-loved waterfront restaurant, where there is no set menu, and every meal is a matter of personal taste. Browse the impressive display of fresh fish, seafood and vegetables, choose your favourites and leave Chef Sawai and his team to prepare them just the way you like. A new selection of rice and noodle dishes adds further variety to a dining tradition that has stood the test of time.
Fresh Seafood Selection
Date: Daily, noon to 11pm.
Price: À la carte
Porto Gina
A little slice of Italy returns to the Abu Dhabi waterfront as Porto Gina reopens on 15 October, welcoming guests back with a refreshed menu, familiar Italian hospitality and a relaxed setting overlooking the marina at InterContinental Abu Dhabi.
The new menu brings together Italian favourites, beautifully prepared classics and new dishes worth discovering, setting the scene for leisurely dinners by the water. For those who enjoy the Italian tradition of aperitivo, L’Ora Italiana offers another reason to settle in, pairing an aperitivo board with two glasses of Spritz for a relaxed start to the evening.
L’Ora Italiana
Date: Daily, 5pm to 8pm.
Bayshore Beach Club
With October bringing the return of beautiful weather to Abu Dhabi, Bayshore Beach Club at InterContinental Abu Dhabi is an inviting place to spend a day by the water. Set along a private stretch of beach, the club offers the choice of a refreshing dip in the pool, a leisurely afternoon by the sea, or a long lunch with drinks in the sunshine. The Bayshore Day Pass makes it all the more appealing, with food and beverage credit included to enjoy throughout the day. On Saturdays, DJ Mary adds to the atmosphere with poolside music from 2pm to 5pm.
For those who prefer a little more privacy, the cabanas provide a dedicated space to settle in for the day, while a two-hour spa treatment offers another way to unwind, combining a 90-minute massage with a choice of a 30-minute facial or body scrub.
Day Pass
Date: Daily, from 8am to 8pm
Private Cabana
Date: Daily, from 8am to 8pm
Massage Offer
Date: Daily, 10am to 10pm.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi Staycation Offers
With its private beach, waterfront dining and inviting pools, InterContinental Abu Dhabi offers plenty of reasons to turn a day out into a relaxing staycation this October. Whether planning a family break, a weekend with friends, or a few days enjoying the capital’s beautiful autumn weather, two stay offers make it even more appealing.
The Family Getaway offers 50% off a second room when booking any room category, giving families and friends more space to enjoy their time together, with access to Bayshore Beach Club included. For those who prefer everything taken care of, the All-Inclusive Staycation combines an overnight stay with dining and selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages across participating venues, plus full access to Bayshore. Designed for two adults and two children, the package also includes complimentary accommodation and dining for children under 12.
Hospitality
Form Room welcomes new JVC residents with a complimentary coffee and exclusive discounts

Moving into a new neighbourhood is all about discovering the places that soon become a part of your everyday routine. From finding your go-to coffee order to choosing a favourite spot for a casual catch-up, these little discoveries help a new place feel like home. To welcome new residents to Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Form Room is introducing a special offer designed to make those first neighbourhood moments even better.
The playful pet-friendly Aussie café and neighbourhood eatery is offering eligible new JVC residents a complimentary coffee from its espresso menu on their first visit, followed by 15% off the espresso menu on their second and third visits. Available to residents across JVC, the initiative reflects Form Room’s community-focused approach – encouraging newcomers to stop by, get acquainted with the café and make it part of their local routine.
To redeem the offer, residents must present a valid tenancy contract confirming their JVC address, alongside a valid Emirates ID for verification. Once their complimentary coffee has been redeemed, they will receive a Form Room loyalty card, which can be used to claim 15% off the espresso menu on their next two visits. Both subsequent visits must take place within 15 days of the first visit, and the loyalty card must be presented each time.

Form Room brings Australian café culture to JVC, combining specialty coffee with all-day dining in a welcoming neighbourhood setting. Inspired by the nostalgia of a school lunch table, the café centres its menu around hearty sandwiches, alongside a selection of food and drinks designed for everything from a quick coffee stop to a relaxed meal with friends.
With its pet-friendly indoor and outdoor spaces, Form Room offers a laid-back setting for residents to connect, unwind and enjoy good food and good company. The new resident offer builds on this neighbourhood spirit, giving those who have recently moved to JVC a reason to discover a local favourite while settling into their new surroundings.
Whether stopping in for a morning coffee, a quick break during the day or meeting someone new in the neighbourhood, Form Room invites JVC’s newest residents to pull up a seat and feel at home.
Hospitality
Cambridge Health Group partners with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches to embed hospitality excellence across its regional healthcare network
Cambridge Health Group (CHG), the GCC’s leading post-acute care provider and a subsidiary of Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”), announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches (“the Academy”) at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026. The collaboration aims to bring hospitality expertise into healthcare delivery through tailored workforce training and service standards designed to improve the experience of patients, families and visitors across CHG’s facilities in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The partnership brings together CHG’s experience in post-acute care, rehabilitation and long-term care with the expertise of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, which is part of Les Roches Global Hospitality Education – ranked second in the world for Hospitality & Leisure Management in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. By applying hospitality principles to healthcare environments, the collaboration will explore how to strengthen the skills, processes, and service practices that shape everyday interactions with patients and their families while supporting a consistent, personalised experience of care as CHG expands its regional network.
The collaboration will begin with on-site assessments of hospitality-related service standards and practices across CHG’s hospitals in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This will guide the development of bespoke training streams: a Leadership Development Programme for management and leadership teams; a Frontline Hospitality Excellence Programme for employees in patient experience, customer service, call centres and other relevant functions; and a Train-the-Trainer (TOT) Programme to develop internal champions who can deliver training and reinforce standards across the wider workforce. The Academy will design and deliver the programmes, drawing on its faculty and industry experts.
Through a phased rollout, the initiative aims to extend hospitality training to full-time employees and outsourced staff, while integrating service excellence standards into the onboarding of new team members. The approach is designed to build sustainable internal capabilities and promote consistent, compassionate and responsive experiences for patients and their families across CHG’s facilities.
Wael Abdallah, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Health Group, said: “At Cambridge Health Group, we have built a regional healthcare network recognised for both the quality of our clinical care and our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for patients and their families. Maintaining and advancing these standards requires continued investment in our people and a strong culture of service excellence. Our partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches builds on this foundation, bringing hospitality expertise into our healthcare environment to further elevate the standards of care, compassion and service across our expanding network.”
Georgette Davey, Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, said: “We are delighted to formalise our partnership with Cambridge Health Group, marking an important step in extending the Academy’s reach beyond traditional hospitality and building closer ties with the healthcare sector. Hospitality and healthcare may serve different purposes, but both place people at the centre of the experience. Through knowledge exchange and practical collaboration, we look forward to applying hospitality expertise in a new context and supporting a more personalised, compassionate patient experience.”
Beyond training and service development, the MoU also establishes a framework for thought leadership, applied industry engagement and knowledge sharing between the two organisations. This includes opportunities for senior leaders and subject-matter experts to participate in guest lectures, joint industry projects, case studies, industry discussions, selected events and forums, encouraging the exchange of expertise and best practices between the healthcare and hospitality sectors. Specific initiatives under the collaboration will be developed and implemented subject to separate written agreements between the two organisations.
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