Hospitality

Raising the Bar of Innovation in Every Kitchen

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2024

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

SUPPERCLUB LAUNCHES COMMUNITY INITIATIVE ENCOURAGING UAE RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

As the region continues to navigate the current climate, many residents are choosing to remain in the United Arab Emirates, where they feel safe, and to continue supporting local businesses while spending time together with friends and family.

Restaurants across the UAE have long played an important role in bringing people together, serving as spaces where communities reconnect, share stories, and celebrate culture. This is particularly true during moments of uncertainty.

In response to the recent developments, Dubai-founded premium dining and lifestyle platform SupperClub is encouraging residents to rediscover the city’s restaurants and experiences while continuing to support the hospitality venues that define the country’s social fabric. With school holidays brought forward and many international trips postponed, and Ramadan in its final days, the coming weeks present a natural moment for residents to explore the city’s dining scene while spending time together locally.

To further support both residents and restaurants, SupperClub has introduced a community-focused initiative for March, offering complimentary Diamond memberships for twelve months. SupperClub partners with leading restaurants and hospitality venues across the UAE and globally, including homegrown Dubai brands like Reif Kushiyaki and Lila Molino, as well as popular venues such as ROKA, Josette, and other acclaimed dining destinations.

SupperClub is also giving back to residents who support the UAE’s restaurant community by rewarding them for dining out more. Members who dine at three different SupperClub partner restaurants within 60 days will receive AED 300 in dining credit towards their next booking.

Those signing up for the complimentary Diamond membership can enjoy a range of benefits, including:

Available for free when signing up in March 2026, using the promo code UNITY
Unlimited access to privileges for 12 months
Dedicated WhatsApp Concierge
Unlimited Bookings, Unlimited Guests
Seamless Bookings

Muna Mustafa, Co-Founder of SupperClub said, “Moments like these remind us how important it is to support the restaurants and hospitality teams who provide a place for us to come together to share meals, conversation, and a sense of normality. The UAE’s dining scene has always been built on community, and it’s encouraging to see residents continuing to gather and support the venues that make this country so vibrant.”

Hospitality

ME BY MELIÁ DUBAI PARTNERS WITH UAE FOOD BANK TO DONATE 100 IFTAR MEALS DURING RAMADAN

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

In the spirit of generosity and community that defines the Holy Month of Ramadan, ME By Meliá Dubai is proud to announce its participation in this year’s Ramadan Food Donation initiative in collaboration with the UAE Food Bank under Dubai Municipality.

As part of its commitment to responsible hospitality and meaningful community engagement, the hotel will prepare and donate 100 thoughtfully assembled food bags to support individuals and families in need. Each bag will include a freshly prepared cooked Iftar meal featuring Majboos and Raita, along with bottled water, a laban drink, whole fruit, and dates to help provide a nourishing and complete meal at sunset.

Through the UAE Food Bank, these donations will be distributed to communities, families in need, and mosques across Dubai during Iftar time, ensuring that the spirit of Ramadan reaches those who need it most.

This initiative forms part of ME By Meliá Dubai’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, reflecting the brand’s dedication to social impact, sustainability, and inclusive community support. By aligning with the UAE Food Bank’s mission to reduce food waste and redistribute surplus food responsibly, the hotel continues to champion initiatives that create lasting positive change.

In addition, the hotel’s leadership team and Heads of Department will be invited to take part in packing the food bags, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and hands-on engagement. By involving team members directly in the preparation process, ME By Meliá Dubai aims to strengthen internal unity while reinforcing the true essence of Ramadan: compassion, generosity, and shared purpose.

Through this initiative, ME By Meliá Dubai reaffirms its commitment to serving not only its guests, but also the wider community, contributing to a more connected and caring society during the Holy Month and beyond.

Hospitality

JD MALAT GALLERY X AFRICAN QUEEN KOJO MARFO INSTALLATION LAUNCHES DURING RAMADAN AT J1 BEACH

Published

4 days ago

March 11, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

African Queen Dubai unveils a special collaboration with JD Malat Gallery which operates in Downtown, Dubai and Mayfair, London, presenting an installation of works by Ghanaian-British artist Kojo Marfo at its J1 Beach location. Launching during the holy month of Ramadan through to summer, Marfo’s vibrant paintings enter into dialogue with the spirit of African Queen – the iconic Mediterranean restaurant founded on the French Riviera in 1969.

Installed throughout the venue, the works transform African Queen into an immersive cultural setting where gastronomy, art and atmosphere converge. From sunlit interiors to open terraces overlooking the shoreline, guests encounter contemporary African art within a space defined by Riviera elegance and cosmopolitan energy.

Born in 1980, Kojo Marfo is recognised for his distinctive AfroGenesis style – an Afrocentric “new beginning” that fuses Cubist visual language with Akan artistic traditions. His layered figurative works explore identity and spirituality, reframing African heritage through a contemporary lens. Rooted in Ghanaian artistic traditions while engaging with European modernism, Marfo’s work is expressive, symbolic and internationally resonant.

This dialogue between heritage and reinterpretation mirrors African Queen’s own story. Founded in 1969 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, African Queen embodies Mediterranean art de vivre, where cuisine, culture and celebration unfold in an atmosphere of warmth and timeless glamour. Inspired by the 1951 film The African Queen, the venue’s layered textures and design create an environment that feels transportive yet refined.

At J1 Beach, the concept transitions seamlessly from relaxed daytime dining to vibrant evening gatherings.

Throughout Ramadan, African Queen welcomes guests for sea-view Iftar gatherings, offering a curated set menu designed for sharing. The experience begins with dates and lentil soup, followed by Arabic mezze with warm bread, lamb samosa and stuffed vine leaves. A choice of lamb, beef kebab, chicken tagine or vegetarian tagine follows, concluding with seasonal fruit. Soft drinks, coffee and tea are included per person.

The JD Malat Gallery and African Queen Kojo Marfo installation runs from February 2026 through summer 2026.

À la carte dining is available daily. Iftar is served from sunset throughout Ramadan, Iftar is served from sunset until 9:00 PM, with set menus starting from 296 AED per person, including welcome dates and apricot, sharing starters, a choice of main course, and dessert. The Suhoor menu is available throughout Ramadan from 10:30 PM until 1:30 AM, with last orders taken at 12:45 AM.