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Raising the Bar of Innovation in Every Kitchen

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Unox

Exclusive interview with James Russell, Country Manager, UNOX

Can you briefly explain what sets your ovens apart from other products in the market and how they enhance the overall kitchen experience?

What sets our ovens apart is their innovation and sustainability. Our goal is to raise the bar of technological innovation in foodservice equipment, especially with the evolution of more advanced technologies, stricter demands, and the global pursuit of sustainability. If you’re passionate about designing your ideal kitchen experience, we leverage on innovative features such as Digital.ID, Data Driven Cooking, and OPTIC.Cooking to deliver best outcomes. Moreover, we let you test our ovens in your kitchen or at our Experience Center. In fact, our dedication to innovation has been recognised industry-wide as UNOX AI-powered combi oven CHEFTOP-X was awarded the Red Dot Winner 2024 and Red Dot Winner 2024 – Innovative Product.

If you’re passionate about sustainability, we are the oven manufacturer with the most ENERGY STAR rated ovens. We also have ambitious corporate sustainability targets and aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 through the Unox e-miXion program.

What inspired the development of the new CHEFTOP-X and BAKERTOP-X ovens?

Today, it is important for ovens to combine mechanical robustness and performance with digital user interfaces, electronic controls and sensors, and make them work together in a way that can be easily understood by customers and users. The CHEFTOP-X and BAKERTOP-X combi ovens are robust, AI-integrated, futuristic technologies with automated cooking algorithms and user-friendly interfaces – transforming the foodservice world’s views of what people generally think an oven can do.

Can you explain the benefits of voice-activated controls and OPTIC.Cooking for kitchen efficiency?

HEY.Unox, the voice-activated control, allows chefs to operate the ovens hands-free, which streamlines workflows in the kitchen. With your voice, you can tell the oven to adjust settings, start or stop cooking cycles, and even access recipes without needing to touch the oven.

OPTIC.Cooking, through the use of our optic lens, detects the food inserted in the cooking chamber and automatically starts the right program. Once the food is in, OPTIC.Cooking monitors it in real-time and adjusts cooking parameters based on the food’s characteristics.

Together, these features significantly reduce the time chefs spend managing equipment, allowing them to focus on creativity and presentation.

How will the new Dubai experience center improve customer interaction with UNOX products?

Unox Experience Center is all about exchanging ideas.

In September, we launched our UAE Experience Center, aiming to bring more people to experience our innovative ovens with our Chef, to participate in our Individual Cooking Experiences. A key factor in Unox success has been allowing our customers to test our latest ovens before they purchase.

The new UAE Experience Center is an essential part of Unox broader vision. Over the past two years, Unox has opened 8 new Experience Centres in Brazil, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Sweden, India, France, Colombia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia in 2025. This strategy brings our customers right to us and our innovations, allowing them to test our products with their own recipes, and for us to personalise interaction while gathering valuable feedback on a global scale.

Additionally, as the Headquarters of the MENA region, the center will serve as a hub for training and workshops, enabling our members to gain practical insights into how to maximise efficiency and creativity with Unox ovens. This interactive approach not only fosters a deeper understanding of our products but allows our members to build stronger relationships with our customers, ensuring customers feel supported and inspired in their culinary journeys.

How does cross-industry collaboration drive innovation at UNOX?

Cross-industry collaboration is a cornerstone of innovation at Unox. We partner with diverse sectors – culinary, education, food and beverage – to gain unique perspectives and insights that enhance Unox product development. Working with professionals from various industries helps us identify emerging trends and consumer needs, which inspire new product features and solutions. Collaborating with chefs, KOLs, restaurateurs, business owners, industry professionals, organisations, and trendsetters helps us understand day-to-day challenges of the kitchen, which shapes our ideas for future products and solutions.

Why are live product demonstrations, like at GulfHost, important for UNOX’s brand?

Live product demonstrations, such as those at GulfHost, are crucial for Unox’s brand for several reasons. Firstly, this is the chance for potential customers to have an immersive experience of our ovens’ innovative technologies in real-time. 

Additionally, live product demonstrations foster direct engagement with our audience. We ensure our potential customers’ needs are met as our Unox representatives address any questions our customers may have. This interaction not only helps us understand customer needs better but also strengthens relationships with industry professionals.

What’s next for UNOX in terms of innovation in kitchen technology?

Something is cooking in our R&D kitchen right now. We launch a new product approximately every 18 months. Next year, we will be unveiling a brand-new oven that addresses the topics of space, service speed, time, and cost. In 2025, we will also bring to life the concept of Unox Lounges throughout the UAE and beyond. We are proud to be the market leader in commercial combi ovens, and all our products are created to continue elevating culinary standards worldwide.

Will robots take away the personal touch from the hospitality industry?

Robots and technology are designed not to replace humans in the industry; they are designed primarily to help chefs in the kitchen and to enhance the level of service businesses can provide.

Customers crave personal touch. As a technology-centric manufacturer of combi ovens, we invest heavily in our Unox People, conducting consistent upskilling workshops and training.

The future of hospitality lies in striking harmony between technology and human interaction.

Hospitality

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS AT ARTISAN BAKERS’ THE GARDEN CONCEPT

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Artisan Bakers has announced the reopening of its The Garden Concept following a complete refurbishment and expansion, marking an important evolution for the brand’s sixth outlet in Dubai. The refreshed space brings together elevated design, an enhanced menu, and a more seamless guest experience, while staying true to Artisan Bakers’ roots as a warm, neighbourhood bakery and café.

Founded more than 23 years ago and formerly known as Bakemart, Artisan Bakers is a home-grown UAE brand built on European artisanal baking traditions and a deep commitment to craftsmanship. Founded by master baker TK Khaleel, the brand is known for its 18-year-old sourdough culture, preserved in the Puratos Sourdough Library in Belgium, and its focus on handcrafted breads, pastries, and all-day café offerings made using premium ingredients. Today, Artisan Bakers operates six locations across Dubai, combining time-honoured techniques with a modern, community-led café experience.

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Al Quoz (Industrial Area 3), the reimagined The Garden Concept has been designed as a relaxed yet elevated space that invites guests to slow down and stay awhile. Open daily from 8 AM – 11 PM, the interiors draw inspiration from classic European café warmth, layered with natural woods, stone textures, and soft lighting. Through its collaboration with The Garden Concept, the space introduces the garden-inspired elements throughout the dining area, including lush greenery, floral accents, and koi fish features, creating a calming indoor-outdoor atmosphere.

The menu at The Garden Concept has been thoughtfully refined to match the upgraded space while remaining rooted in Artisan Bakers’ core offering. Alongside the brand’s full signature bakery range, the refreshed menu introduces upgraded savoury dishes, refreshed breakfast favourites, and a stronger focus on specialty coffee. Weekly specials will rotate exclusively at this location, while a newly introduced Business Lunch (AED 89 for 2 two-course meal and AED 103 for a three-course meal) adds to its all-day appeal.

Signature dishes at The Garden Concept include the Benedict Royale (AED 55), a refined take on the breakfast classic featuring perfectly poached eggs and rich hollandaise, and the Prawn Chilli Herb Cream with Saffron Rice (AED 68), a comforting yet elevated dish that showcases bold flavours and careful technique. Other highlights include Fish & Chips with Tartare Sauce and Artisan’s Morning Delight Toast, while bakery favourites such as the Plain Croissant, Pain au Chocolat, Pistachio Croissant, Mango Mousse Cake, and Kifaya Cake remain at the heart of the experience.

A standout feature of the outlet is the live baking counter, where guests can watch artisan breads and pastries being prepared in real time, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to transparency and craft. The space also features improved display systems for cakes and viennoiserie, a dedicated coffee station, and an enhanced grab-and-go section designed for guests on the move.

With the reopening of The Garden Concept, Artisan Bakers continues to strengthen its presence across Dubai, offering spaces designed for every part of the day, whether stopping in during a morning walk for freshly baked croissants, settling in for a relaxed lunch, or picking up artisanal breads and cakes to take home. Thoughtfully designed and rooted in craftsmanship, the refreshed The Garden Concept brings together elevated café culture and everyday comfort, reaffirming Artisan Bakers as a neighbourhood favourite where guests return time and again.

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Hospitality

BLINGWOOD LAUNCHES AS THE MIDDLE EAST’S FIRST MICRO-DRAMA OTT PLATFORM

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BlingWood launches as Middle East’s first dedicated micro-drama OTT platform, expanding access to vertical short-form series through multilingual and dubbed content for diverse audiences. The platform features original vertical micro-dramas that combine regional storytelling with global production standards, serving changing viewing habits and demand for short-form premium content, with early BlingWood Originals including titles such as Kadak Coffee, Dooriyan Hi Hai Zaroori, and Forget Me Not.

Designed for today’s digital-first audiences, BlingWood delivers sharp, snappy, and engaging narratives through a proprietary micro-drama format. Each series consists of 30 episodes, with each episode running for two minutes, creating a complete 60-minute mini-series. This structure enables immersive storytelling in digestible chapters, maintaining narrative depth and character development while aligning with modern attention spans.

BlingWood’s content offering is entirely curated and professionally produced. Unlike user-generated platforms, all programming is scripted, written, and produced by industry professionals to ensure consistent editorial and production quality. The platform features professionally produced micro-drama series available in eight or more languages through original, dubbed, and localized versions, including English, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Korean, and others, reinforcing its commitment to language accessibility and cross-market reach. BlingWood focuses on original micro-dramas that resonate culturally while meeting international benchmarks, with the slate spanning romance, character drama, and high-concept fiction, including titles such as Bot Ne Bana Di Jodi and The Perfumer.

Commenting on the launch, Mohammad Faizan, Founder & CEO of BlingWood, said: “With BlingWood, we are introducing a new storytelling format to the Middle East that reflects how audiences consume content today. Micro-dramas allow us to deliver powerful, emotionally engaging stories in a concise format, without compromising on quality or narrative depth. Our vision is to create a platform that champions regional voices while operating at global production standards, positioning the Middle East as a key player in the future of short-form entertainment.”

The launch comes at a time of rapid global growth for the micro-drama category, which has demonstrated strong engagement and monetization potential. Globally, the format has attracted more than 830 million viewers, with approximately 60 percent identified as paying users. Leading platforms in the space have reported significant year-on-year growth, pointing to sustained audience retention and repeat viewing behavior, with BlingWood’s Originals line-up built around this high-retention episodic model.

BlingWood has been strategically designed for rapid global expansion, with an initial focus on key markets including the UAE and India, followed by a broader international rollout. While global in ambition, the platform remains rooted in regional storytelling, offering narratives that reflect local culture while appealing to a worldwide youth audience, supported by a growing slate of BlingWood Original micro-drama series.

With its launch, BlingWood aims to redefine how premium entertainment is created and consumed in the Middle East, establishing micro-drama as a mainstream OTT format and setting a new benchmark for short-form storytelling in the region.

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Hospitality

CELEBRATE EID IN STYLE WITH A LUXURIOUS STAYCATION AT KEMPINSKI PALM JUMEIRAH

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This Eid, Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah invites guests to enjoy a serene seaside escape in the heart of the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Available from March 20–22, the hotel invites families and friends to savour a long weekend of relaxation, connection, and celebration. Available with 40% off and free cancellation up to 3 days before arrival, perfect for an effortless Eid escape.

Whether it’s the first sunrise over the Gulf, laughter shared over breakfast, or quiet moments on a private terrace, each select suite offers a stage for unforgettable memories:

  • Ocean Two-Bedroom Suite – 163 m² of refined space with sweeping Arabian Gulf views, a master king bedroom, and a second twin bedroom with en-suite, perfect for family stays.
  • Palm Two-Bedroom Suite – 163 m² overlooking the tranquil Palm Jumeirah Lagoon, featuring a generous living area and two beautifully appointed bedrooms.
  • Two-Bedroom Suite with Private Pool – 350 m² of ground-level luxury, complete with a private pool and two ensuite bedrooms, offering a peaceful retreat from city life.

Every suite has been designed to blend comfort, elegance, and panoramic views, perfect for capturing those picture-perfect Eid moments, from morning coffees by the window to sunset reflections on the terrace.

Plan Your Eid Escape
The offer is available exclusively for stays from March 20–22, 2026. Whether it’s a family getaway, a friends’ retreat, or a quiet luxury break, Kempinski Palm Jumeirah transforms your Eid into a celebration of style, connection, and memorable moments.

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