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People who love to eat are always the best people

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Cucina Del Sul

Exclusive Interview with: Ola El Jaroudi and Tarek Sultani, Founders, Cucina Del Sul

Cucina Del Sul has evolved from a backyard dining experience to a celebrated culinary movement. What inspired you to start this journey?

During COVID, the inner foodie in all of us emerged. I took online Korean cooking classes, while Tarek became obsessed with YouTube tutorials on smoking and grilling large cuts of meat. He created such a mess in our kitchen, and the entire house smelled like BBQ, so I kicked him out to grill in the garden. That’s when we decided to build Cucina Del Sul (Kitchen of Sultani), our outdoor kitchen where we could cook and host friends and family.

What began as a gathering spot for friends and family soon evolved into a vibrant culinary hub, attracting foodies, chefs, and passionate cooks eager to showcase their talents. We began hosting invite-only dining experiences to celebrate Dubai’s homegrown culinary scene, featuring everything from burgers to paellas, braais to BBQs. Each session highlighted a different cuisine.

This marked the birth of the Cucina community—bringing people together over good food. From our villa’s backyard, strangers entered and left as friends. Cucina has since become an incubator and accelerator for culinary talent, helping over a dozen homegrown startups fast-track their journey to market.

Your events combine exceptional food, community, and the magic of the outdoors. How do you strike the perfect balance between these elements?

The balance comes naturally because it reflects the types of events we love to attend, whether at home or abroad.

Creating a complete experience—the food, the setting, the flow, and the vibe—is essential. My decade of experience running an events company ensures every detail is thoughtfully considered to elevate our culinary experiences. But the setting is critical, the UAE is home to incredible landscapes that lend themselves to unique dining experiences, so finding those spots and converting them to backdrops for our events is special and unexpected.

We’re selective about our locations, often turning down venues that lack the personality or charm needed to align with our vision for food events.

Events like Camp Cucina and Meats & Mountains have become iconic. How do you consistently keep these events fresh and engaging?

It boils down to three key points:

Discovery: Foodies are always seeking new culinary experiences. We constantly rotate chefs and discover hidden culinary talents in the community. Even repeat stations are encouraged to offer something new.

Chef-led Experiences: Our events prioritize interaction between chefs and guests, fostering connections and storytelling through culinary art. We only collaborate with chef/owner-operated vendors to maintain authenticity.

Personal Touches: Whether it’s long table decorations, homegrown musical entertainment, or nostalgic treats from our childhood (like churros and sahlab), we infuse every event with a sense of warmth and individuality.

Ultimately, the key to keeping things fresh is staying authentic and trusting the chefs to showcase their creativity with minimal interference.

With milestones like the World’s Best Burger win, how do you see these achievements influencing the culinary reputation of the UAE and the broader MENA region?

The UAE is a vibrant melting pot of cultures, best exemplified by its diverse cuisines and the innovative fusion emerging from its dynamic food scene. The World Food Championships provide us with a platform to showcase the region’s top culinary talent on the global stage. This year, five culinary teams from the region competed in categories ranging from burgers to noodles, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches, and desserts.

Our first major success came in 2022 when Sultan Chatila’s Bull Burger secured third place in the World Burger Championships. The WFC ‘Battle of the Burgers’ event laid the groundwork for local recognition, while our World Food Championship platform brought global acclaim. The Cucina pop-ups and markets generated significant buzz, ultimately leading to the establishment of Eleven Green—now one of the most popular burger joints in the city.

Many other F&B brands have similarly leveraged the Cucina platform and network to transition from niche, home-based dining experiences to thriving commercial ventures.

This year, Hassan Naja’s One More Burger raised the bar even higher, clinching first place in the World Burger Championships—outperforming over 700 competitors from around the world. His journey is just beginning, and we’re organizing exclusive pop-ups to offer food enthusiasts a taste of his exceptional burger while building excitement for his next steps. These winners are already redefining the region’s culinary identity on a global scale.

At Cucina, this is what we stand for: helping culinary talent turn their dreams into global realities. The Middle East has long demonstrated its ability to compete internationally, and our participation in global events like the World Food Championships underscores this on a culinary level. The region’s food scene is truly world-class, and achievements like these only reinforce its prominence.

These milestones embody the spirit of the region, reflecting the passion, creativity, and talent that make this community so extraordinary. We are deeply honored to contribute to shaping and supporting this remarkable journey.

Your platform celebrates both food and the connections it creates. How important is fostering a sense of community to Cucina Del Sul’s identity and success?

Community is at the core of everything we do—without it, Cucina Del Sul simply wouldn’t exist. There’s something truly special about bringing people together over a shared love and passion for food.

From the very beginning, authenticity has been the foundation of our platform. We’ve always focused on sharing our love for food, offering honest recommendations, and introducing people to our favorite hidden gems. We don’t believe in gatekeeping; we only recommend places and experiences we genuinely love and stand behind.

This philosophy is integral to our events and pop-ups. We wouldn’t organize anything unless we could confidently say, “We’d 100% attend this if someone else were hosting it.” That same passion and trust resonate deeply with our community and make everything we do feel authentic.

We also cherish taking these connections offline, where they become even more meaningful. Over the years, we’ve welcomed countless familiar faces returning to our events while embracing many new ones.

These connections—both old and new—are what propel us forward. Our community is truly the heart of Cucina Del Sul.

As we continue to grow, engaging with and nurturing this incredible community will always remain our top priority.

As you continue to grow and redefine the food scene in the UAE, what’s next for Cucina Del Sul?

Community lies at the heart of everything we do—without it, Cucina Del Sul wouldn’t exist. There’s something truly special about bringing people together through a shared love and passion for food.

From the very beginning, authenticity has been the cornerstone of our platform. We’ve always prioritized sharing our love for food, offering genuine recommendations, and introducing people to our favorite hidden gems. We don’t believe in gatekeeping; every place or experience we recommend is one we genuinely love and wholeheartedly support.

This philosophy extends seamlessly to our events and pop-ups. We wouldn’t host anything unless we could confidently say, “We’d absolutely attend this if someone else were hosting it.” That passion and trust are what deeply resonate with our community and make everything we do feel authentic and meaningful.

We also treasure taking these connections offline, where they become even more impactful. Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming familiar faces back to our events while also embracing countless new ones.

These connections—both enduring and fresh—are what drive us forward. Our community is and will always be the soul of Cucina Del Sul.

As we continue to grow, fostering and nurturing this incredible community will remain our top priority.

In your opinion, what’s the single most impactful step the hospitality industry can take toward sustainability?

Tarek: Reducing food waste is key. Repurpose old bread, create smaller portion options, redistribute leftovers, and educate both customers and the industry about composting.

Ola: Farming and growing your own produce can also make a huge difference. Using compost from eggshells and leftover food to nourish your garden is a step toward creating a circular system of sustainability.

Hospitality

Cancro Calls for a Fresh Look at Hydration as UAE Families Return to Routine

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Cancaro's product lineup

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.

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Hospitality

DIVE INTO GREATNESS: SUN DIVING WELCOMES WORLD CHAMPION FREEDIVER ALESSIA ZECCHINI TO SUN SIYAM OLHUVELI

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Alessia Zecchini, world champion freediver, in yellow and black wetsuit smiling by the ocean before diving event at 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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Hospitality

THE RETURN OF JAZZ & JUICE NIGHTS AT CUCINA, THE PALM

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Three-piece jazz trio performing live at Cucina The Palm during Jazz and Juice Nights, featuring upright bass, piano, and drums against decorative wall backdrop.

Jazz, cocktails and Italian flair are back! Cucina, The Palm is bringing back its much-loved Jazz & Juice Nights, starting Friday, 3rd October, where live music, Italian dining, and vibrant energy set the scene for an unforgettable night.

Every Friday and Saturday from 7pm to midnight, Cucina comes alive with a dynamic three-piece jazz trio led by award-nominated arranger and composer Rudo Pieterse on upright bass and vocals, accompanied by Jose Roman Nunez on piano and Janelle Bernado on drums. Their soulful melodies and lively rhythms fill the restaurant with energy, immersing guests in the sounds of classic jazz and the warm ambience of an Italian piazza.  

Guest can enjoy two hours of unlimited beverages for just AED 165, featuring Italian classics such as the timeless Negroni and refreshing Aperol Spritz, alongside the Hugo Spritz and the restaurant’s signature Cucina Spritz – a mix of Martini Fiero, Martini Ambrato, berry shrub, sparkling wine, and chocolate bitters. Wine lovers can also explore Cucina’s unique wines-on-tap selection and savour an impressive selection of reds, whites and rosés.

For those seeking a complete dining experience, Cucina’s a la carte menu celebrates the essence of Italy. Guests can indulge in freshly made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and other Italian favourites, all crafted with fresh ingredients and time-honored recipes. Each dish is designed to complement the live entertainment and drinks, transporting diners to the heart of Italy for a truly immersive experience. 

With the trio’s vibrant performances, Cucina’s lively yet sophisticated ambiance, inventive drinks offering and delicious à la carte options, Cucina’s Jazz & Juice Nights deliver the perfect weekend ritual – ideal for long evenings of dining, sipping and soaking up the atmosphere.

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