Hospitality
People who love to eat are always the best people

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
Cluster 2 Signs an Agreement to Advance Smart Airport Operations in Saudi Arabia

Airbus Defence and Space has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cluster 2 at the Paris Air Show to deliver next generation digital solutions that enhance airport efficiency, security, and collaboration across Saudi Arabia. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President of Airbus International, Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus in Middle East and Africa, and Mr. Saad A. Alajlan, General Manager of Commercial Operations and Business Development at Cluster 2.
The partnership will introduce advanced technologies including Agnet Turnaround by Airbus , a smart platform that enables real-time coordination of airport operations. This will empower Cluster 2 to streamline workflows, enhance on-time performance and elevate the passenger experience across its network of 22 international and domestic airports.
Through this MoU, Airbus and Cluster 2 aim to raise operational standards, improve situational awareness and drive seamless collaboration between ground staff, security teams and control rooms.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to driving digital innovation in aviation. With Agnet Turnaround, we are enabling smarter, safer and more connected airports that align with the Kingdom’s vision for the future of transportation.”, said Antoun Farra, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in Saudi Arabia.
“Airports are vital gateways to the Kingdom, and digital transformation is at the heart of our strategy. Partnering with Airbus allows us to enhance safety, reduce response times and create a unified operations ecosystem across our airports.”, commented Eng. Badr Al-Dalami, Chief Executive Officer of Cluster 2.
With multiple communication and automation capabilities, Agnet Turnaround is a smart and secure solution which aims at solving daily operational challenges for aviation stakeholders and enhancing On Time Performance (OTP).
Hospitality
How Innovations Group Is Powering the UAE’s Hospitality Workforce

Exclusive Interview with Nikhil Nanda, Director, Innovations Group

What are the current hiring trends in the UAE’s Hospitality sector, and how have they evolved in past few years?
Over the past few years, the UAE’s Hospitality sector has seen a remarkable shift—not so much in the types of roles being hired, but in the volume and flexibility of those roles. With the exponential growth of new hotel developments, especially in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hiring numbers have surged.
The most significant evolution has been the rise of flexible and seasonal staffing models, particularly for back-of-house roles. Hotels are now opting for part-time or short-term workforce models—often deployed through staffing companies—to meet peak seasonal demands. For instance, during high tourist seasons, roles like housekeeping and cleaning staff are brought in for 2–4 month stints, ensuring optimal operations without long-term cost commitments.
Are there any specific roles or skillsets that are particularly in high demand across the hospitality industry today?
Yes, there’s a clear surge in demand for back-of-house roles, including housekeeping, public attendants, lifeguards, and general cleaning staff.
This demand is closely tied to the unexpected rise in summer tourism. Traditionally, the summer was a relatively quieter season, but with more tourists choosing the UAE year-round, hotels have had to adjust. Many were not prepared for the increased occupancy, which has pushed operational teams to scale up support functions rapidly and efficiently.
Would you be able to share percentage growth of the hiring graph in this segment?
We’ve observed a 70% increase in back-of-house hiring over the past five years. This growth is directly tied to rising hotel openings, the UAE’s push to become a global tourism hub, and the increasing preference for flexible staffing models that allow employers to scale efficiently during high and low seasons.
How are hospitality employers in the UAE adapting their recruitment strategies to attract and retain top talent?
Hospitality employers are becoming increasingly strategic and global in their talent sourcing. They are now tapping into new geographies such as Eastern Europe (e.g., Moldova, Georgia), East Asia, Kazakhstan, and large parts of Africa, especially for English-speaking back-of-house staff. These regions are emerging as rich talent pools that offer both diversity and reliability.
Retention, on the other hand, is being driven by improvements in workplace culture—including the introduction of flexible shifts, cultural sensitivity programs, team engagement initiatives, and third-party staffing models that enable work-life balance. Hotels understand that talent today prioritizes not just pay, but respect, growth, and a positive work environment.
What solutions does Innovations Group offer to support large-scale or high-volume hospitality staffing needs in the region?
At Innovations Group, we specialize in scalable hospitality staffing solutions that cater to both ongoing and project-based needs. Whether it’s a pre-opening ramp-up or managing peak-season demand, we provide:
- – Volume hiring support for new and expanding hotels
- – Experienced back-of-house talent from an existing, vetted pool
- – Flexible work models (monthly, seasonal, or quarterly contracts)
- – Deployment-ready staff with prior hospitality experience
- – Geographically diverse sourcing through our global recruitment channels
What sets us apart is our ability to move quickly and match hotels with hospitality professionals who understand the pace and standards of UAE’s hospitality sector. This blend of speed, scale, and service makes us a trusted partner to many leading hotel brands in the region.
Hospitality
Phat Buns UK Opens First Global Franchise in Sharjah UAE

Sharjah is about to get a serious upgrade in the burger department. UK cult favourite Phat Buns is heading to the UAE, bringing its signature mix of unapologetically bold flavours, viral-worthy visuals, and stacked burgers that are engineered to impress.
Founded in Leicester in 2019, Phat Buns has become a street food success story, and co-founded by a literal aerospace engineer, there’s precision behind every layer. From the smash patty technique to the way the sauces hit the palate, Phat Buns isn’t just built different, it’s smart. As co-founder Ahtesham Moosa puts it, “With endless combinations, no two visits need to be the same”.
From well-loved menu staples like the PHAT Classic – a 4oz Aberdeen Angus beef smashed patty burger with melted cheddar cheese, or a fried chicken loaded fries, with grilled mushroom and halloumi. To one of the legends – 4oz Aberdeen Angus BBQ flavoured, 12-hour smoked pulled rib meat sandwich, topped with lettuce, tomato and cheddar.

But that’s just the beginning…
PHAT Buns’ Build-a-Burger concept puts you firmly in the driver’s seat. Fancy a double smash patty stacked with crispy halloumi and a drizzle of that iconic PHAT sauce? Sorted. Prefer spicy chicken with jalapeños and a buttery pretzel bun? You got it. From protein and cheese to sauces and toppings, you call the shots – every burger is made exactly how you want it.
While Sharjah’s will offer a different menu, tailored to local tastes, customers can still expect the same vibrant energy that Phat Buns’ fans love. Think neon lights, bold colours, and a design that gives nods to the street food culture. The experience, as well as the burgers, are ones to be photographed for social media!
The Sharjah expansion marks a new era of growth for the brand. From starting as a single location in the UK to a now growing international footprint, Phat Buns is not one to miss. It has proved fast food can be both fun and elevated, and with a rocket scientist in the kitchen, you can trust the launch will go off with a bang.
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