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Hospitality
We Don’t Just Tick Boxes; We Build a Culture of Food Safety and Sustainability
Exclusive interview with Soniya Ashar, Founder, NutriCal
Congratulations on NutriCal’s contribution to Armani/Mediterraneo’s success in the DM Food Elite Programme! Can you share how NutriCal became involved with this prestigious initiative?
Thank you so much! We’re incredibly proud to have been a part of Armani/Mediterraneo’s journey in the DM Food Elite Programme. While NutriCal played a key role, credit equally goes to Emaar Hospitality and their forward-thinking team—particularly their Head of Hygiene, Sustainability, and Culinary. They were already planning to move ahead with a brand-wide commitment to transparency, sustainability, and high standards. When NutriCal came on board, we were able to execute that vision swiftly and efficiently, ensuring that their goals aligned with the rigorous criteria of the DM Food Elite Programme. It was truly a team effort, and it’s rewarding to see the results of such a collaborative partnership.
What specific challenges did NutriCal face while working with Armani/Mediterraneo to meet the program’s rigorous criteria? How were these overcome?
One of the main challenges was the alignment of different functions—culinary, sustainability, and hygiene—all working towards the same goal under a very tight timeline. Emaar Hospitality’s team, led by their Head of Hygiene, Sustainability, and Culinary, had already laid out a clear vision for brand-wide transparency, and NutriCal was brought in to help execute that vision quickly and precisely. This alignment was crucial, as it required a seamless collaboration between our team and theirs to ensure every part of the operation met the program’s rigorous standards.
We also faced the challenge of conducting an accurate, detailed analysis of the nutritional content and traceability of every ingredient and recipe. The program required that we not only meet high nutritional standards but also ensure that every ingredient could be traced back to its source, which added a layer of complexity. To overcome this, we implemented a robust tracking system and worked closely with the culinary team to refine recipes without compromising the quality or integrity of the dishes.
Finally, with such tight timelines, it was essential to maintain precision and speed. By staying agile, maintaining open communication, and focusing on data-driven solutions, we were able to meet the program’s strict criteria and deliver results within the required timeframe. The collaboration and dedication of everyone involved made all the difference in overcoming these challenges.
Dubai Municipality highlighted sustainability, food safety, and innovation as key pillars of the award. How did NutriCal approach these areas to help Armani/Mediterraneo achieve 1st place?
NutriCal is a food intelligence platform that leverages data and AI to optimize all aspects of food operations. For food safety, we ensured complete traceability of ingredients, including allergen checks, using our tech-driven platform to monitor and mitigate risks in real-time. On the nutrition front, we provided data-backed insights to refine dishes, ensuring they met health standards while staying true to Armani/Mediterraneo’s luxurious brand. For sustainability, our platform helped streamline sourcing, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact across operations. By integrating food safety, nutrition, and sustainability with cutting-edge technology, we supported their success in achieving 1st place.
NutriCal played a pivotal role in ensuring nutritional precision and operational excellence. Can you elaborate on how your expertise in these areas translated into success for the restaurant?
NutriCal’s expertise in recipe management and operations was key to ensuring both nutritional precision and operational excellence at Armani/Mediterraneo. We worked closely with their culinary, food safety, hygiene, and sustainability teams to create a seamless workflow that ensured every dish was not only nutritionally balanced but also compliant with stringent regulations. The larger the operation, the more important it is to stay organized, and we helped streamline their processes to ensure everything ran smoothly.
Traceability and transparency were super important, both from a regulatory standpoint and to align with Armani/Mediterraneo’s commitment to high standards. Our platform enabled full traceability of ingredients, ensuring that every item could be tracked from source to plate. This level of transparency is critical, not just for compliance but also for maintaining the quality and safety of every dish.
What distinguishes NutriCal’s approach to food safety compliance and sustainability from other players in the industry?
What sets NutriCal apart is our holistic approach. We don’t just tick boxes for compliance; we go a step further to build a culture of food safety and sustainability that becomes part of our partners’ DNA. We help businesses implement real-time monitoring systems that track food safety standards and reduce risk, and we’re always looking for innovative ways to source more sustainably.
Additionally our unique blend of cutting-edge AI, data, and technology with a deep understanding of the human side of food operations. While our platform provides powerful tools for tracking ingredients, managing recipes, and ensuring compliance, we also recognize the importance of working closely with client teams—chefs, food safety experts, and sustainability officers. This collaboration ensures that technology is implemented effectively and tailored to the specific needs of the operation, driving success in real-world settings.
We also keep a sharp focus on the health and safety of every consumer. Our technology tracks not only food safety but also regulations that directly impact consumer well-being, from allergens to proper ingredient sourcing. This dual approach—leveraging both technology and human insight—ensures that we not only meet regulatory standards but also create dining experiences that are safe, healthy, and sustainable.
How does this award align with NutriCal’s broader mission and vision for the future of the food and hospitality sectors?
This award is a huge step in the right direction for us. At NutriCal, we envision a future where the food and hospitality sectors lead in terms of health, sustainability, and operational excellence. Winning this award with Armani/Mediterraneo is a perfect example of what’s possible when we align those values with high-end dining. We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s changing the way people think about food—where the focus is on creating healthy, sustainable dining experiences that also deliver on flavor and luxury. It’s a reflection of our broader vision to make these practices the new standard in the industry.
Collaboration was central to this achievement. Can you describe your experience working with the culinary and sustainability teams at Armani/Mediterraneo?
The collaboration with the culinary and sustainability teams at Armani/Mediterraneo was honestly a highlight of the whole project. From day one, everyone was so open and eager to innovate, which made the process a true partnership. We worked hand-in-hand with the chefs to adjust recipes and make sure they met the nutritional criteria while still reflecting the restaurant’s bold, sophisticated style. The sustainability team was equally passionate about minimizing environmental impact, and we were able to come up with creative solutions together, like reducing food waste and using more sustainable packaging. It was a fantastic, collaborative effort that I believe really contributed to our success.
In your view, how does NutriCal’s work contribute to setting a new standard for the hospitality industry in Dubai and beyond?
NutriCal is leading the charge in setting new industry standards that seamlessly balance sustainability, food safety, and nutrition with culinary excellence. Through our innovative use of AI and data technology, we’re reshaping how the hospitality industry approaches food safety, transparency, and sustainability. Our platform ensures that restaurants not only meet the latest regulatory standards but also drive innovation in sourcing, waste management, and food safety protocols.
While this project was based in Dubai, the impact of our work with Armani/Mediterraneo extends globally, serving as a powerful example of how the hospitality industry can integrate sustainability and health-focused practices at every level. At the core of our approach is a consumer-centric mindset, where the demand for transparency and sustainability is becoming a defining factor in dining experiences. NutriCal’s work is part of a broader cultural shift that is transforming the way people think about food, making healthier and more sustainable choices an integral part of the culinary world.
Hidden behind its signature veil of intrigue, Himitsu introduces The Sake Series, a curated exploration of Japan’s most revered spirit. Available Thursday to Sunday, this new ritual invites guests to discover sake through a collection of tasting flights and pairings that celebrate the craft and character of sake.
The experience is presented in two chapters. The first, The Himitsu Sake Series, features four tasting flights (two sakes per flight, no food) priced from AED 40, and the second, The Four Seasonal Paths, offers seasonal pairings (two sakes + small plates) priced from AED 95, moving through Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
The Himitsu Sake Series
The Himitsu Sake Series introduces four curated tasting flights, priced from AED 40, each featuring two distinct sakes chosen to showcase a particular facet of Japanese brewing. Guests can explore The Earth’s Whisper, pairing two expressions that highlight clarity and umami depth; Blossoms in Balance, where floral and fruity notes create harmony; Wings of Elegance, a study in refinement and precision; and Clouds & Bubbles, a playful contrast between traditional craftsmanship and modern effervescence. Together, these flights offer a guided journey through Japan’s finest sake styles, one sip at a time.
The Four Seasonal Paths
For guests looking to explore further, The Four Seasonal Paths offers a tasting journey inspired by Japan’s four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each pairing combines two sakes with complementary small plates, designed to mirror the flavours and emotions of the season. Think hamachi carpaccio and spicy tuna handrolls for spring’s freshness, unagi nigiri and prawn tempura maki for the richness of summer, and so on. Prices start from AED 95, with each pairing designed to take guests through a progression of flavours that reflect the changing moods of the seasons.
Available from Thursday to Sunday, The Himitsu Sake Series invites guests to slow down, sip, and see sake through a new lens, quietly, behind closed doors.
Hospitality
CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH FRONT-ROW BURJ KHALIFA FIREWORKS VIEWS AT BISOU, ALBA, AND HIMITSU, IN DOWNTOWN DUBAI
This New Year’s Eve, Metafoodies Group invites guests to celebrate across Bisou, Alba, and Himitsu at Dubai Opera Plaza, offering some of Downtown Dubai’s most exclusive front-row views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks.
Set against the glittering backdrop of Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Opera Plaza transforms into one of the city’s most sought-after destinations on New Year’s Eve. With the Burj Khalifa fireworks at its doorstep, the atmosphere is electric yet effortlessly refined, creating a private vantage point for one of the world’s most iconic celebrations.
Designed to balance exclusivity and value, Metafoodies Group’s New Year’s Eve experiences offer guests the luxury of fine dining and spectacular views without the need for over-the-top packages. With early bird prices starting from AED 850 per person, guests can enjoy curated four-course menus, world-class entertainment, and a private view of the Burj Khalifa fireworks, an offering rarely seen in Downtown Dubai.
Known for its thoughtful design and imaginative concepts, Metafoodies Group continues to redefine Downtown Dubai’s dining scene. This New Year’s Eve celebration brings together the group’s signature touch: exceptional food, curated entertainment, and beautifully designed spaces, across its trio of destinations. Guests can also arrive in style via a complimentary luxury buggy service from across Downtown Dubai, ensuring a seamless and celebratory start to the night.
Location: Dubai Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai
Timing: Doors open from 7 PM till late
Reservation: +971 58 140 6888 or booking link
Fireworks View: Guests will be escorted to Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck, just before midnight for a viewing of the Burj Khalifa fireworks
Welcome the First Sunrise of 2026 at Alba, where contemporary Japanese elegance meets the radiance of the Dubai skyline. Guests are greeted with two complimentary glasses of bubbly before indulging in Akari No Yume, meaning “Dream of Light,” a four-course menu inspired by the purity and precision of Japanese cooking, crafted by Chef Vladimir Chistyakov.
The experience presents a choice between Miso King Crab Soup and Oxtail Soup, followed by four starters such as a Chef’s special selection of sushi, Wagyu Foie Tataki and more. Mains include a Miso-marinated Cod or Wagyu yakisoba, and finishing with seasonal fruit, matcha tiramisu, or chocolate fondant, all accompanied by tea or coffee.
Throughout the evening, a DJ, live percussionist, and avant-garde performances keep the atmosphere sleek and high-energy, ensuring guests dance well into the new year. As midnight nears, guests step onto the Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck overlooking Dubai Opera Plaza for front-row views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks, a moment of light and renewal to welcome the year ahead.
Location: Dubai Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai
Timing: Doors open from 7 PM till late
Reservation: +971 58 140 6888 or booking link
Fireworks View: Guests will be escorted to Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck, just before midnight for a viewing of the Burj Khalifa fireworks
Step into the world of Gatsby at Bisou, where Parisian glamour sets the stage for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve surrounded by candlelight and rich red tones. Guests are greeted with two complimentary glasses of bubbles as 8-time Grammy-nominated pianist Ryan Roger serenades the room, setting the tone for an evening of effortless elegance.
The night unfolds with a four-course feast starting off with a choice of Crab Eclair, Foie Gras Terrine served with fresh homemade Brioche, Olivier with Duck, Crab Salad, Black caviar, or brioche and butter, with the second course being a choice of delicate pies of meat & morels served with sour cream and caviar. For the main course, guests may choose between Tournedos Rossini with foie gras and black truffle or lobster pasta, before ending on a sweet note with Bisou petit four, all accompanied by tea or coffee.
Just before the clock strikes twelve, guests will be escorted to an exclusive spot in Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck for a front-row view of the Burj Khalifa fireworks, the city’s most spectacular celebration.
Location: Hidden within Alba, Dubai Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai
Timing: From 10 PM till late
Reservation: +971 58 585 4273
Fireworks View: Guests will be escorted to Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck, just before midnight for a viewing of the Burj Khalifa fireworks
From 10 PM, the lights dim and the celebration comes alive inside Himitsu, Downtown Dubai’s most elusive speakeasy, tucked within Alba. As the Burj Khalifa fireworks ignite the sky, guests can step outside to the Dubai Opera Garden private viewing deck for a front-row experience of the city’s most iconic display before returning to the hidden bar as it transforms into an intimate after-party.
Himitsu pulses with its own energy, hosting a seductive mix of music by DJ Charlotte Van de Peer, a resident DJ in London’s top spots, having previously supported worldwide acts such as Latmun, Solardo, Carl Cox at Mixmag, Foreverland with James Hype and Tita Lau, Sam Divine, and more. Alongside the eclectic music, guests can enjoy performances, and bespoke drinks from the Kagi, the bar’s legendary cocktail program offering 1296 combinations.
Entry requires a ticket priced at AED 1000, out of which AED 500 is fully redeemable on beverages throughout the night. With live DJ sets, immersive acts, and an atmosphere charged with mystery and allure, Himitsu is where the city’s most unforgettable New Year’s moments unfold.
From the architectural icon that redefined Dubai’s skyline comes a new reason to linger after sunset. ME by Meliá Dubai, the visionary masterpiece and newly honoured with a One Key distinction by the MICHELIN Guide 2025 proudly unveils its latest culinary offering – Grill by ME.
A relaxed yet refined dining affair set beside the hotel’s striking pool terrace, Grill by ME offers guests an elevated open-air buffet where contemporary dining meets effortless style. Bringing together live grill stations, curated beats, and ME by Meliá Dubai’s signature modern energy, the new concept is designed for both intimate evenings and vibrant gatherings – a place to unwind, connect, and savour the city’s unmistakable atmosphere.
The menu celebrates simplicity with style, from fresh salads and handmade pasta to sizzling grills and decadent desserts, all prepared at interactive stations. Every element is thoughtfully curated to create a dining experience that feels relaxed, refined, and distinctly Dubai.
Priced at AED 180 per person including soft beverages, Grill by ME runs Monday to Sunday, from 7 PM to 10:30 PM, at the hotel’s pool terrace. Little foodies aged six to eleven dine at half price.
Recently awarded a One Key distinction by the MICHELIN Guide 2025, ME by Meliá Dubai continues to push boundaries in design, hospitality, and dining. As the only hotel in the world designed inside and out by Zaha Hadid, it remains one of the city’s most iconic destinations – where every detail, from architecture, ambience and service is a work of art.
SOBHA FURNITURE UNVEILS ‘THE GALLERY’ — ITS FIRST FLAGSHIP SHOWROOM AT THE S IN DUBAIA SPACE TO CONNECT, COLLABORATE, AND CO-CREATE.
DISCOVER THE ART OF SAKE WITH HIMITSU’S NEW TASTING SERIES
CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH FRONT-ROW BURJ KHALIFA FIREWORKS VIEWS AT BISOU, ALBA, AND HIMITSU, IN DOWNTOWN DUBAI
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