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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

EMAAR AND LOOTAH BIOFUELS INTRODUCE SUSTAINABLE BIO YACHT FUEL AT DUBAI MARINA YACHT CLUB AND CREEK MARINA YACHT CLUB

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Ribbon-cutting ceremony on a red carpet at an outdoor venue with five formally dressed individuals standing in front of gold stanchions and blue ribbon, surrounded by modern high-rise buildings and palm trees in the background.

Emaar Hospitality Group, in collaboration with Lootah Biofuels, announced the rollout of a sustainable yacht fuel offering at Dubai Marina Yacht Club (DMYC) and Creek Marina Yacht Club (CMYC); marking one of the first such initiatives within the GCC’s Leisure Marine sector.

This initiative positions both DMYC and CMYC among the region’s early adopters of sustainable bio yacht fuel solutions for recreational vessels, reinforcing Emaar’s practical approach to sustainability and its alignment with the UAE Net Zero 2050 vision.

Under this collaboration, DMYC and CMYC will begin supplying Sustainable Bio Yacht Fuel (SBYF) produced by Lootah Biofuels, made from recycled cooking oil collected from hotels, residences, and Emaar’s integrated developments. The circular process converts waste oil into a marine-grade biofuel, offering yacht owners a more environmentally considerate fueling option directly at their home marinas.

Nicolas Belleton, of Emaar Hospitality Group, commented: “Sustainability is at the heart of how we operate across our Marinas and Hospitality assets. By introducing Sustainable Bio Yacht Fuel, we are giving our members a tangible, responsible choice that aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals, while setting a new standard for eco-innovation in the leisure marine sector.”

The introduction of SBYF will follow a phased, operational rollout to ensure logistical reliability, consistent fuel quality, and long-term sustainability across marina operations. Yacht owners and club members will have access to SBYF at dedicated refueling points within DMYC and CMYC, providing both convenience and a tangible step toward lower-carbon marine leisure activity.

By implementing this initiative across its Marina portfolio, Emaar continues to take a measured, regionally relevant approach to decarbonisation, focusing on actionable, locally sourced solutions rather than broad claims. The collaboration highlights how circular economy principles can be integrated into Emaar’s Hospitality, Leisure, and Marine operations.

Lootah Biofuels, a UAE-based company specialising in biodiesel blends derived from used cooking oil, will oversee the collection, processing, and supply of SBYF to both Marinas. Its solutions have demonstrated meaningful reductions in carbon emission compared with conventional Marine fuel.

Yousif Saeed Lootah, CEO of Lootah Biofuels, commented: “We are proud to partner with Emaar to bring Sustainable Bio Yacht Fuel to Dubai’s Leisure Marine sector. This initiative demonstrates how locally sourced waste materials can be transformed into high-value energy solutions, supporting both environmental and operational progress across the UAE.”

In its initial phase, sustainable fueling operations at DMYC and CMYC will take place on a scheduled basis, with potential expansion based on uptake and demand. The move is expected to contribute incrementally to reducing CO2 emissions from the region’s Leisure Marine activities.

DMYC already holds esteemed environmental recognitions through its Fish Friendly and Clean Marina accreditations, reaffirming its commitment to responsible and sustainable marine practices. Furthering these efforts, DMYC has introduced a sustainable drinking water initiative through “air water” technology, which converts humidity from the atmosphere into potable water. This environmentally conscious solution has been supplying captains and crew at the marina for the past year. The launch of SBYF builds on this strong foundation, further advancing Emaar’s sustainability agenda within the marine leisure sector in a measurable and impactful manner.

This step forms part of Emaar’s ongoing effort to introduce sustainability across its operations and offerings. By partnering with Lootah Biofuels at Dubai Marina Yacht Club and Creek Marina Yacht Club, the company aims to support the UAE’s climate goals while providing yacht owners and members with a practical, responsible fueling alternative.

“Our goal is to make sustainability actionable, not just aspirational. This partnership is a concrete step toward a cleaner, greener marine experience for all our guests.”, Nicolas Belleton concluded.

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Hospitality

WHERE PLAY COMES ALIVE: FUN CITY REOPENS WITH A VIBRANT NEW LOOK AND NEXT-LEVEL EXPERIENCES

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Entrance of Fun City at Ibn Battuta Mall featuring a colorful arcade area with bright signage, toy display counters, and a red-and-white kiddie ride shaped like a fire truck. A family is walking out of the entertainment center, and a carousel is visible inside.

Fun City, one of the region’s most loved family entertainment destinations, has officially reopened at Andalusia court, Ibn Battuta Mall, unveiling a brighter, bolder and more exciting world designed especially for children and families. The newly upgraded centre bursts with colour and imagination, bringing together all the fun families already love, now elevated with brand-new experiences, refreshed play zones and even more joyful moments waiting to be discovered.

Stepping into the new Fun City feels like entering a world where play comes alive. A fresh, contemporary design sets the scene, wrapping the space in bold colours and dynamic details that instantly spark excitement. One of the most anticipated additions is the brand-new VR experience, bringing bigger thrills and immersive adventures that take play to an entirely new level. This sits alongside a completely revitalized play area, now larger and filled with creative structures, interactive elements and imaginative spaces that encourage children to explore, climb and let their creativity run wild.

For little ones taking their first steps into the world of play, the new Oops N’ Whoops toddler zone offers a gentle, safe and stimulating environment crafted just for them. Soft textures, cheerful colours and age-appropriate features create a welcoming space where toddlers can learn, discover and build confidence at their own pace. Families will also find more arcade fun than ever before, with a wider selection of games, rides and activities that bring children together in an atmosphere bursting with excitement. The upgraded party room adds an extra touch of magic, giving families a lively and colourful setting for birthdays and celebrations that feel truly unforgettable.

The reopening represents an important moment for the brand. “With our new and improved Fun City at Ibn Battuta, we are thrilled to offer families an elevated experience filled with joy, energy, and creativity,” says Mr. Silvio Liedtke, CEO of Landmark Leisure. “This reopening reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional family entertainment that grows with the needs of the communities we serve.

To celebrate the reopening, Fun City has introduced special offers designed to make every visit even more rewarding. Families can enjoy unlimited play at the Play area for a month with the AED 159 Play Membership, take advantage of incredible value through the Fun Pass worth over AED 850 for only AED 75, or simply top up online to enjoy up to 20% off on value packages. Even more rewards and surprises can be unlocked through the Fun City App, making it easier than ever for families to enjoy more fun, more often.

For more than two decades, Fun City has been a trusted and beloved indoor play destination across the GCC. The refreshed Ibn Battuta Mall location continues this legacy, bringing families experiences that are not only entertaining but enriching. 

The venue is now open and ready to welcome guests daily, inviting them to explore the new space, enjoy the upgraded attractions and create joyful memories together.

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Hospitality

SHI WARMS UP JANUARY WITH A CELEBRATION OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE CLAYPOT COOKING

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Five traditional Chinese claypot dishes served on a dark stone table at SHI restaurant, featuring vibrant vegetables, tender meats, and rich sauces in black claypots with wooden bases, surrounded by chopsticks, empty glasses, and lids

This January, SHI on Bluewaters Island continues its Claypot Menu, celebrating one of the most cherished and time-honoured cooking traditions in Chinese cuisine. Available daily from lunch through dinner, the menu presents a refined selection of claypot dishes, prepared and served using traditional methods that honour authenticity, flavour, and comfort.

Deeply rooted in Chinese culinary culture, claypot cooking is revered for its ability to retain heat, intensify flavours, and creating richness in every dish. The slow, even heat of the claypot allows ingredients to cook gently, preserving their natural textures while allowing sauces, spices, and aromatics to infuse deeply. Traditionally enjoyed during cooler months and shared family-style, claypot dishes symbolise warmth, togetherness, and nourishment.

SHI’s Claypot Menu showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of dishes, including the comforting Tofu Eggplant with Black Bean Sauce, the vegetable-forward Buddha’s Delight, tender Corn-Fed Chicken, flavour-packed Mixed Seafood in Sacha Sauce, and the richly layered Wagyu Beef Claypot. Each dish is served bubbling hot directly to the table, delivering a sensory experience that is both authentic and refined.

Perfect for sharing and lingering, the Claypot Menu at SHI offers guests a soulful winter dining experience—best enjoyed against the backdrop of Bluewaters Island, with views of the Dubai skyline and a setting that invites connection and comfort throughout the season.

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