Hospitality
Keep it fresh, keep it honest, and let the ingredients shine
Interview with Chef Roberto Senese, Carluccio’s
How did growing up in Naples and learning from your grandmother shape your culinary philosophy?
In Italian homes, the kitchen is where life happens. It’s where conversations flow as meals are prepared and shared. That’s how it was for me. I grew up in the kitchen, watching my mother and grandmother cook while they talked about life. I started out doing small chores, but as I got older, I began helping with full meals.
That’s where my love for cooking began—bringing people together with food and sharing honest, unfiltered conversations around the table.
We cooked simple food at home: pasta, salads, seafood, and occasionally meat (which isn’t a big part of traditional Italian cuisine). Cooking was straightforward—lots of olive oil, fresh vegetables, herbs, and cheese.
That simplicity still defines the way I cook today, inspired by Antonio Carluccio’s philosophy: keep it fresh, keep it honest, and let the ingredients shine.
What does your philosophy “Minimum Fuss, Maximum Flavour” mean to you, and how do you bring it to life at Carluccio’s?
Minimum Fuss, Maximum Flavour” (MOF MOF) was the guiding philosophy of our founder, Antonio Carluccio. He believed in simplicity—using the finest ingredients, treating them with care, and embracing home-style cooking techniques to preserve authenticity and the comforting warmth of homemade food.
At Carluccio’s UAE & Qatar, Antonio’s MOF MOF philosophy is at the core of everything we do. It’s not just about how we cook; it shapes how we serve and connect with our guests. We keep things honest, genuine, and simple, following Antonio’s original recipes and maintaining the high standards he set.
While there are moments when we adapt to local tastes, we do so thoughtfully and sparingly, ensuring the heart of MOF MOF remains intact in everything we create.
How do you adapt Carluccio’s menu to cater to local tastes in the UAE and Qatar while staying true to Italian traditions?
Localization is key to staying relevant and evolving as a brand. At the same time, it’s just as important to preserve the essence of our brand philosophy.
Our menu is a blend of Carluccio’s classics and local favorites. For example, while BBQ Pizza isn’t traditionally Italian, it’s a regional favorite, so we’ve adapted it to suit local tastes—always using the best ingredients and keeping the cooking simple.
Another example is our Rigatoni Prawns & Pistachio pasta, a dish that combines prawns, pistachio, and pesto with a touch of chili, crafted specifically to appeal to the local palate while staying true to our focus on quality and flavor.
With the revamped Marina Mall branch offering vegan dishes and zero-proof drinks, how do you balance modern trends with authentic Italian cuisine?
Carluccio’s has always offered vegan options, but with the launch of our new menu, we’ve introduced a dedicated vegan section in response to growing demand and current trends. This addition reflects our commitment to catering to all guests.
We’ve also expanded our beverage offerings by introducing zero-proof drinks, providing premium options for those looking to enjoy something unique and exciting. These thoughtful additions have not only enhanced our menu but have significantly improved our dining experience, with guest feedback reflecting the positive impact on their overall enjoyment.
How does the show kitchen and iconic pizza oven enhance the guest experience?
Our goal was to showcase the authenticity, skill, and freshness that define our offerings. This is made possible by our show kitchen and pizza oven, where guests can enjoy watching their food being prepared with professionalism and the highest standards of hygiene. It’s not just a meal – it’s a visual experience that enhances the dining journey!
With elements like lemon trees and Mediterranean warmth, how do you aim to transport guests to Italy through both the food and ambiance?
In addition to enhancing our guest experience and bringing a modern touch to our interiors, we aimed to infuse subtle Mediterranean elements while staying true to Carluccio’s brand identity. This was achieved with features like lemon trees above the community table and vintage Italian-style tiling, which together create a rustic Mediterranean and Italian atmosphere.
Our food and service stay true to Antonio Carluccio’s MOF MOF philosophy, perfectly complementing each other to deliver an authentic Italian experience that is unmistakably Carluccio’s.
Hospitality
AARK MARKETING STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN UAE PERFECTING THE TITLE OF DIGITAL & INFLUENCER MARKETING & PR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Aark Marketing, a reputed boutique integrated marketing and communications agency, continues to strengthen its position within the UAE’s competitive brand landscape through culturally attuned, insight-led campaigns. Marking a milestone year in its growth journey, the agency’s 2025 performance reflects strategic clarity and creative precision, translating brand narratives into measurable impact across sectors. Beyond F&B and hospitality, Aark serves diverse industries including retail, manufacturing, and construction, offering end-to-end expertise across media planning, social and digital campaigns, and influencer marketing to deliver ROI-driven outcomes.
Founded in 2020, Aark has led several high-impact campaigns for reputed F&B brands, including Kashkan, which generated 2.4 million views and 20,000+ followers in three months. Its hospitality portfolio includes Pincode by Chef Kunal Kapur, Silk Lantern, Lavang, Aminia, and The Permit Room, while work with Emirates Airlines – Dnata and Dubai Islamic Bank demonstrates its capability beyond F&B.
Under visionary leadership, Aark celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2025, marked by key achievements including Pincode winning the Time Out Restaurant Awards 2025 and Lavang being named Filmfare Middle East Favourite Debutant Restaurant 2025; demonstrating the agency’s ability to align strategic brand positioning with meaningful audience engagement.
The agency earned multiple industry honours this year: the Middle East National Business Awards for A Marketing & PR Recipe for Success, and accolades from the Global Business & Finance Magazine Awards: Best Integrated Marketing Agency UAE, Best PR & Media Agency of the Year UAE, and Excellence in Brand Communications UAE. Inclusion in the Caterer Middle East F&B Power PR List further reinforced its regional credibility.
Emphasising on Aark’s client-first approach, Kkusum Rawat, Founder and Marketing Director at Aark Marketing, said, “Today, brands are looking beyond traditional marketing for partners who truly understand their objectives and the regional nuances that shape consumer behaviour. Our focus has always been on delivering customised solutions that build visibility through relevance, not volume. With a clear emphasis on Return on Investment, we leverage innovation and technology to create impactful campaigns that connect meaningfully with audiences and deliver measurable outcomes. The consistency we achieved in 2025, across thinking, execution, and results, reflects the strength of our team and the trust our clients place in us to build lasting brand impact.”
From a performance standpoint, Aark Marketing delivered sustained digital growth across its portfolio, achieving over 5 million in reach and 3 million video views. Multiple F&B brands recorded 20 to 40% month-on-month engagement growth, while festive campaigns drove 2x to 4x visibility spikes, improved cost efficiencies, and increased footfall, online orders, and inquiries.
Across influencer and communications channels, Aark Marketing strengthened brand recall and authority. A flagship Al Nabooda campaign generated over 1 million video views, while strategic PR efforts secured 500+ media articles across top-tier regional publications, driving consistent editorial visibility, stronger brand credibility, and increased inbound discovery across AI-powered search platforms. Revolutionizing the ever-growing digital marketing sector, Aark Marketing stays committed to providing creative campaigns and excel in client delivery. The key achievements collectively signal a year defined by credibility, collaboration, and carefully measured growth, positioning the agency firmly within the region’s evolving marketing and communications landscape
Hospitality
HOUSE OF HYPE DUBAI JUST FLIPPED THE HOLIDAYS, UNVEILS THE WINTER WONDERVERSE
This festive season, House of Hype, Dubai Mall’s most spectacular immersive mega-experience, turns the holidays upside down with The Winter Wonderverse, a surreal festive universe that only Dubai could dream up.
Running from December 13 till January 4, 2026, The Winter Wonderverse @ House of Hype delivers a larger-than-life remix of holiday classics across the park’s 25 immersive worlds. Expect glowing snow, dancing lights, spontaneous performances, mischievous elf photobooths, chaotic parades, and snacks almost too cute to eat — all crafted to surprise, delight, and spark unforgettable shared moments.
But this isn’t nostalgia, and it’s definitely not the winter village you’ve visited five times before. This is House of Hype in Dubai! Where everything is bigger, wilder, brighter, and far more fun.
A Holiday Universe, One Wild World at a Time
From the moment you step inside, you’re not entering a venue, you’re crossing into a surreal festive season multiverse. One minute you’re inside a shimmering snow globe where neon snow falls around you, the next, you’re being pulled into an elf transformation photobooth where the “elves” are a little too enthusiastic and definitely up to mischief.
Turn a corner and suddenly a world-hopping parade bursts through the space, sweeping you into a swirl of bold characters, dancers, glitchy holiday creatures, and spontaneous performances that feel like they jumped out of a fever dream.
Blending humor, fantasy, nostalgia, and hypersaturated design, The Winter Wonderverse @ House of Hype is for people who want their holidays to feel anything but ordinary, families, friends, creators, travelers, and anyone chasing a festive escape with a twist.
Festive Highlights:
Inspired by House of Hype’s signature mega-experience DNA, here’s what guests can expect:
- Glowing Snow & Dancing Lights: A surreal holiday landscape perfect for unforgettable photo and video moments.
- Elf Transformation Photobooths: Snap, record, and instantly drop into the Winter Wonderverse storyline with playful, social-ready content.
- World-Hopping Parades & Outrageous Performances: A spontaneous cast brings the universe to life through bold interactions and unexpected spectacle.
- A Surprise Treat Awaits Anyone in Ugly Sweaters: Show up to Dubai’s most chaotic holiday showdown, loud, fun, and delightfully unhinged.
- Cute Holiday Snacks & Limited-Edition Treats: Delicious, highly Instagrammable snacks curated by Michelin-starred culinary talent.
House of Hype invites guests on a 60–90 minute adventure through Dubai Mall’s full-scale City of Dreams, a joyful mega-experience built from the brightest corners of digital pop culture. Across 25 surreal, interactive zones, visitors drift through neon Tokyo nights, K-Pop stages, shimmering Bollywood energy, robotic light shows, projection domes, hidden pathways, exclusive shopping, and limited-edition global snacks. With live performances, AI-powered photo moments, and unexpected worlds opening at every turn, every visit becomes a journey to dream big, live loud, and have fun.
Hospitality
PIZZAEXPRESS UNVEILS FESTIVE MENUS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
PizzaExpress invites guests to celebrate the festive season with specially curated Christmas and New Year dining experiences, combining seasonal flavours, signature dishes, and a lively social atmosphere. Available throughout December and culminating in a vibrant New Year celebration, the festive menus have been designed to bring people together over food, music, and celebration.
“As the festive season approaches, we wanted to create menus that feel celebratory, comforting, and perfect for sharing,” said Nitin Makhijani, General Manager, PizzaExpress. “Our Christmas and New Year offerings bring together seasonal ingredients, familiar favourites, and a vibrant atmosphere, making PizzaExpress a welcoming place for guests to celebrate with friends and family.”
For Christmas, guests can enjoy a festive set menu, offering a selection of seasonal starters, mains, and desserts inspired by classic holiday flavours. Highlights include creamy Cranberry Brussels Sprouts, Turkey Truffle Dough Balls, festive pizzas such as the Christmas Feast and Brussels & Porcini Truffle, and indulgent desserts including Speculoos Gingerbread Tiramisu and KitKat Stuffed Dough Balls
A selection of festive beverages and cocktails are also available to complement the dining experience.
The celebrations continue into New Year’s Eve, where guests can look forward to an extended festive menu featuring unlimited starters, seasonal pizzas, delicious pastas, fresh salads, and indulgent desserts, paired with a wide selection of beverages
From savoury dishes like Barbecue Burnt Ends pizza and creamy Cajun Chicken pizza to festive desserts and signature cocktails, the New Year menu is designed for relaxed, social dining as guests countdown to midnight.
Blending festive flavours with its signature dining experience, PizzaExpress offers a relaxed yet energetic setting for both Christmas gatherings and New Year celebrations, making it a popular choice for groups looking to enjoy great food and a lively atmosphere during the holiday season.
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