Hospitality
Hospitality runs through my veins

Exclusive Interview with: Artemiy Vasilchuk – CEO, Vasilchuki Restaurant Group
In this interview, Artemiy Vasilchuk, CEO of Vasilchuki Restaurant Group, delves into his path from a family-driven inspiration to becoming a leader in hospitality at a young age. With over 40 successful restaurants across Europe and Asia, Artemiy’s vision for Chaihona No 1 in Dubai Marina marks the group’s foray into the Middle Eastern market. He shares how his family’s influence and his passion for innovation have helped shape the group’s unique fusion of Slavic, Asian, and Arabic cuisines. Looking ahead, Artemiy reveals exciting plans for expanding Vasilchuki Restaurant Group’s presence in the UAE and beyond.
Can you share a bit about your journey and what inspired you to take on such a leadership role at such a young age?
My father is my inspiration and played a massive part in my journey to becoming a restauranteur. We have 40 successful restaurants in Europe and Asia, and they’re all homegrown brands that my father and uncle carefully created from scratch. Hospitality runs through my veins and has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember; in fact, some of my earliest memories are in our family restaurants that, for many years, were the only places I dined at while tasting and sampling new menus, dishes and concepts for Vasilchuki Restaurant Group to bring to market.
How has your experience working alongside your father shaped your approach to restaurant management and innovation?
My Father and our Group Head Chef Sergei Suschenko, are very ambitious and creative people, so being around them is inspiring as they built the Chaihona no1 by Vasilchuki brand from scratch and have such a great synergy. I’m only 23, so I bring a very fresh and young perspective to the group, which is exactly what we need in Dubai with the competitiveness of the market, but my father takes a more traditional approach. There is room for both, so we’ve worked hard in Dubai to keep the brand’s core and adapt its offering to suit this market, which has been fun to do alongside my father.
Chaihona No. 1 by Vasilchuki is your first venture into the Dubai dining scene. What makes this restaurant a luxurious addition to Dubai Marina’s culinary landscape?
There’s no other concept like ours in Dubai, so we’re a new and exciting addition to the Marina dining scene. Sergei has added an Arabic element to the menu for our Middle East launch, and it’s been so successful as our guests can try authentic Slavic food if they’d like but also enjoy Arabic dishes. Our Shawarma is incredibly popular as we serve the juicy meat on a skewer so it can be sliced and shared, which is so lovely for groups served with Hummus and baba ghanoush and a special kebab sauce and herby yoghurt dip if you fancy trying something less traditional.
How do you integrate Slavic, Asian, and Arabic flavours into a cohesive and luxurious menu at Chaihona No. 1?
Our Head Chef, Sergey, specializes in creating unique dishes and menu concepts, so he enjoyed combining all three cuisines into one menu. He has one of the world’s largest cookbook collections, with over 3000 books he’s amassed from his travels worldwide. He sought inspiration from there and did extensive trials of combining ingredients and flavours to understand what works and what doesn’t. He enjoys pushing boundaries, so we’re not surprised when he makes unusual suggestions, as more often than not, they turn out to be delicious.
Can you share any unique dishes or concepts that embody your vision of luxury dining at Chaihona No. 1?
Our dine and shop concept is a really unique as there isn’t many places that have a small market and flower shop inside them.
With over 40 restaurants worldwide, how does Chaihona No. 1 by Vasilchuki in Dubai Marina fit into the overall strategy and vision of the Vasilchuki Restaurant Group?
Our launch in the Marina was our way of introducing ourselves to the region, and now, as it’s been so popular, we’re focusing on expansion and growth.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for expanding the presence of Vasilchuki Restaurant Group in the UAE and beyond?
Our launch in Dubai Marina is only the start for us in the Middle East. We have plans to expand and operate 30 restaurants in the Middle East within the next three years and have a few more currently under construction scheduled to launch this year.
Hospitality
A Normal Day Rolls Out a Fresh Menu at Dar Al Wasl’s Neighbourhood Bistro

Located in the heart of Dar Al Wasl, Jumeirah, A Normal Day has quickly established itself as one of Dubai’s most talked-about neighbourhood dining spots. Conceived by a team of locally raised creatives, the bistro strikes a balance between sophistication and ease – somewhere you can drop by for a quick coffee and pastry in the morning, linger over lunch with friends, or settle in for dinner that feels both relaxed and refined.
The new menu builds on that philosophy, introducing a line-up of dishes that are inventive yet grounded, drawing inspiration from both global flavours and local tastes, while embracing the spirit of everyday eating and easy eating.
Breakfast has been refreshed with new favourites including Turkish Eggs, with poached eggs, tzatziki, and crunchy citrus oil served with pizza bread; Mushroom Toast, where sourdough is layered with truffle provolone, sautéed mushrooms, chewy onions, and macadamia nuts; and the Sour Cherry Muffin, a
fresh-from-the-oven bake with white chocolate, sesame, and a side of raspberry butter.
For lighter bites and starters, the menu brings bold sharing plates: Foul Madames Dip with fava beans, tahini, cumin, and spices; classic Tzatziki with fresh cucumber and herbs; Charcuterie Chips, pairing house-made crisps with salami, pickle chilli, mayo, paprika, and parmesan; and Roasted Beetroot with Feta and Nuts, combining baked beetroot with smoked feta, caramelised walnuts, and rocket.
New main courses showcase the bistro’s playful, globally inspired approach: Casarecce with Trapanese Pesto and burrata; the Kimcheesburger, with kimchi cabbage, kimchi mayo, cheddar, and fries; crisp Chicken Schnitzel with herb butter and coleslaw; and the Focaccia Sandwich, stacked with beef mortadella, fresh figs, pesto, and stracciatella.
To close, Date Pudding takes its place on the menu permanently – making a comeback from their Test Kitchen Series. It’s a moist date cake with toffee sauce and ice cream, offering the perfect sweet ending. With art-lined walls, warm interiors, and a buzzing energy that flows from morning to late, A Normal Day
continues to redefine what dining out in Dubai feels like: creative, comfortable, and always memorable.
Hospitality
Cancro Calls for a Fresh Look at Hydration as UAE Families Return to Routine


As wellness becomes a top priority for UAE families, Cancro, a wellness-focused hydration company, is calling for a rethink of how families stay hydrated during the busy season ahead. With the UAE’s long, hot climate and demanding routines, hydration plays a critical role in maintaining focus, energy, and immunity — yet it is often overlooked.
What makes Cancro’s approach different is its use of deuterium-depleted water (DDW). Most water contains a small amount of deuterium, a naturally occurring form of hydrogen sometimes referred to as heavy hydrogen. In high amounts, deuterium can slow down how efficiently cells produce energy.
DDW has much of this deuterium removed, making it lighter. Early research suggests that it may support healthier cell function, improved energy, and faster recovery — benefits that align with today’s wellness-driven lifestyles.
Health specialists point to three areas where hydration is especially important for families in September:
- Focus & Learning: Even mild dehydration can affect concentration and memory, making it harder for children to perform at school.
- Energy & Productivity: For parents balancing work and family commitments, hydration is key to sustaining energy throughout long days.
- Immunity & Recovery: Proper hydration strengthens the body’s defenses against seasonal illnesses and supports recovery after activity.
“Families in the UAE live fast-paced, high-demand lives, often in extreme heat or air-conditioned environments that contribute to dehydration,” said Arsh Mehta, Founder of Cancro. “At Cancro, we believe hydration should be about more than quenching thirst — it’s about supporting wellbeing in a holistic way. With advanced hydration solutions like deuterium-depleted water, we aim to help families feel stronger, more focused, and more resilient every day.”
Cancro is encouraging UAE families to see hydration not as routine, but as a daily health investment — one that supports sharper minds, stronger immunity, and better energy for both children and parents.
Hospitality
DIVE INTO GREATNESS: SUN DIVING WELCOMES WORLD CHAMPION FREEDIVER ALESSIA ZECCHINI TO SUN SIYAM OLHUVELI

Sun Diving is proud to present a one-of-a-kind ocean experience with world champion freediver Alessia Zecchini on 13th October 2025. The event will be held at Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Sunrise Beach from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Guests will have the rare opportunity to meet the athlete recognized as “The Deepest Woman in the World.”
Born in Rome in 1992, Alessia began freediving training at just 13 years old and went on to set multiple world and European records. She was the first woman to dive to 100 meters in free immersion and has since reached the deepest at 123 meters in constant weight with monofin. Her inspiring career has been celebrated worldwide, including in the movie Vertical Breath and the acclaimed Netflix documentary The Deepest Breath. Today, she continues to push boundaries while sharing her passion for the ocean and the importance of its conservation.
This unique guest engagement by Sun Diving offers dive enthusiasts the chance to meet Alessia during an informative talk. She will share her journey and experiences in freediving, reflect on her accomplishments, and discuss ocean preservation and breath control. Following her talk, a Q&A session will allow guests to connect directly with Alessia and the Sun Diving team. Sun Diving will also host an interactive beach experience where guests can try scuba and snorkel gear in shallow water with instructors. Guests can capture photos and autographs from Alessia and explore the dive booth to learn about the world of diving and special offers at Sun Diving.
“Welcoming Alessia Zecchini is an honor for us and an inspiration for our guests,” said Ahmed Nihaan, Dive Center Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Her achievements beneath the waves embody both human potential and the importance of protecting our oceans.”
Sun Diving, the official diving arm of Sun Siyam Group, offers SSI-certified courses, snorkelling, freediving, and specialty programs across its Maldives properties. As a subsidiary, it enhances guest experiences with curated dive packages, illustrated dive maps, lifeguard programs, and eco-focused initiatives, positioning Sun Siyam as a leader in sustainable and memorable ocean adventures.
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