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Hospitality

Let the Ingredients Do the Work—We Are Just Cooks

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Foodie Holdings

Exclusive Interview with Joey, Culinary Director at Foodie Holdings

You’ve worked in Michelin-starred and rosette-awarded kitchens in London. How has that shaped your approach to fine dining in Dubai’s dynamic food scene?

Coming from the world of Michelin-starred restaurants to catering is a completely different challenge—there’s no direct comparison. I wanted to push myself in a new environment, learn different operational skills, and work across a wide range of demographics and themes. Joining Foodie Holdings was an exciting opportunity because the company already had a strong reputation in the catering world. I was able to take my fine dining background and adapt it to the diverse environments we work in. It’s an exhilarating process—I’m constantly creating new dishes and evolving ideas every day.

You redesign Dish’s menu every year. How do you stay ahead of global culinary trends, and what inspires your creativity?

I’m always exploring—whether it’s traveling, dining out, or scrolling through Instagram and TikTok (even my son keeps me updated on trends). I constantly take photos of dishes that inspire me and log flavors throughout the year. When it comes time to refresh the menu, my team and I analyze the balance of flavors, the visual impact of the dishes, and how we can execute them at the highest level. It’s about blending creativity with flawless execution to deliver an unforgettable experience for our clients.

What’s one culinary trend you’re excited about right now, and how are you incorporating it into your menus?

I love revisiting classic dishes and bringing them into the modern world. Some timeless flavors deserve a fresh perspective. Take tiramisu—it’s a traditional Italian dessert that has made a big comeback. I reimagined it as a Tiramisu Cannoli canapé—fun, exciting, packed with bold flavors, and visually stunning. It’s all about respecting the classics while giving them a new life.

When creating a bespoke menu for an event, how do you balance client expectations with your own creative vision?

It all starts with understanding the client’s vision. I gather as much detail as possible—mood boards, cuisine preferences, colors, even plating styles. Then, I research modern techniques and presentation ideas while considering the operational side. I keep an open mind and work collaboratively with clients to bring their vision to life, guiding them through the process while ensuring the dishes are both visually striking and full of flavor.

What are the unique challenges of catering for large-scale events compared to traditional restaurant service, and how do you manage them?

In a restaurant, service is staggered throughout the day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—allowing chefs more time to focus on each dish. Catering is completely different. We have to create stunning plates with intense flavors at scale, in a short time frame. My approach is to build maximum flavor into the mise en place stage, so when it comes to execution at the event, the process is smooth, efficient, and delivers the same level of quality as a plated restaurant dish.

As Ramadan approaches, how do you approach crafting special menus that reflect the spirit of the season while adding your own creative touch?

For Ramadan, I honor Arabic flavors and classic dishes but always with a creative twist. I also draw inspiration from across the Middle East—incorporating Moroccan, Turkish, and even Serbian flavors. Each region has its own unique spices and techniques, and blending them into classic Arabic dishes creates something fresh and memorable. It’s about celebrating tradition while adding an unexpected flair.

Hospitality

BRINGING SWEET FAMILY MOMENTS HOME: AL HALLAB LAUNCHES ICE CREAM DELIVERY

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AL HALLAB ice cream sharing box displaying scoops of ashta, chocolate and mixed flavours topped with pistachios, placed in front of branded AL HALLAB ice cream packaging.

Al Hallab, the family-favourite Lebanese restaurant, is bringing its much-loved ice creams to homes across the city. Long enjoyed as part of its dine-in experience, Al Hallab’s signature ice creams are now available for delivery exclusively on Deliveroo, offered in curated sharing boxes designed for togetherness, perfect for family moments, cosy evenings at home, and celebrations enjoyed in comfort.

Guests can choose from three pre-set ice cream selections, each crafted to be enjoyed collectively:

Ashta Ice Cream Box – Eight pieces of creamy ashta ice cream, delicately dipped in pistachio and served with Al Hallab’s signature cones (AED 140 on Deliveroo)
Mixed Fruit Flavors Box – Eight pieces of refreshing mixed fruit ice cream flavors, ideal for all ages (AED 115 on Deliveroo)
Al Hallab Special Flavors Box – Eight pieces of mixed specialty flavors, including chocolate, ashta, pistachio, and mastika (AED 130 on Deliveroo)

While Al Hallab continues to serve single scoops for dine-in guests at AED 15 per scoop, the delivery menu has been intentionally curated into these exclusive sharing boxes, ensuring a seamless and elevated experience when enjoyed at home.

With this launch, Al Hallab extends its legacy beyond the restaurant, inviting families to slow down, gather around, and create meaningful moments over ice cream, without stepping outside. Whether it’s a weekend treat, a family dessert after dinner, or a thoughtful surprise for loved ones, Al Hallab’s ice creams now arrive at your doorstep, ready to be shared.

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Hospitality

MIDDAY, DONE RIGHT WITH VICEROY’S TABLE NEW BUSINESS LUNCH

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Overhead view of guests sharing assorted Indian dishes at Viceroy’s Table, including kebabs, curries, biryani, flatbreads, and plated starters on a green dining table.

Viceroy’s Table is inviting Dubai’s professionals and lunch-goers to take a proper midday pause with the launch of its new Business Lunch, available Monday to Saturday, between 12 PM and 4 PM. The restaurant is redefining the city’s workday dining with a menu crafted to nourish, delight, and recharge.

For AED 100, guests can choose from a curated selection of starters, mains, and desserts, each thoughtfully designed to deliver bold flavors. Vegetarian options include Four Cheese Chili Bomb, Patti Samosa, Edamame Kebab, and Paneer Peshawari, while non-vegetarians can indulge in Smoked Fish Salad, Chapli Kebab, Viceroy’s Chicken Tikka, or Beef Pepper Fry.

Main courses cater to all tastes: from creamy Signature Makhni Lentils and Saag Paneer, to Velvet Paneer Masala and Subz Tarkari Biryani for vegetarian diners; or Begum’s Butter Chicken, Royal Taar Gosht, Signature Makhni Lentils, and House Special Biryani for non-vegetarians. Guests can finish their meal with a delectable dessert of Mini Gulab Delights, Mango Tres Leches, or Caramel Custard.

Whether it’s a well-deserved break between meetings or a chance to catch up with colleagues, Viceroy’s Table Business Lunch is designed to offer a moment of indulgence in the midst of a busy day. Each dish is served with care, offering the perfect balance of flavors to refresh the body and mind.

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Hospitality

DISCOVER REAL LEBANESE CUISINE IN THE HEART OF DUBAI WITH AL HALLAB

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AL HALLAB mixed grill platter featuring grilled lamb cubes, chicken skewers, kafta, fries, grilled tomato, onions, flatbread, and garlic sauce on a serving plate.

For travellers in Dubai looking to experience authentic Lebanese cuisine, Al Hallab, the beloved Lebanese restaurant, is a must-visit. More than a restaurant, Al Hallab offers visitors to Dubai an authentic journey into Lebanese culture, where heritage recipes, warm hospitality, and unmistakable flavors come together to create an experience that feels both comforting and unforgettable.

Founded in Tripoli, Lebanon, and rooted in generations of culinary craftsmanship, Al Hallab brings with it decades of expertise in Lebanese cuisine. From the moment guests step inside, they are welcomed into a space that feels rich with history yet perfectly at home in Dubai’s cosmopolitan setting.

From classic cold mezze like hummus, moutabal, and labneh, delightful hot starters like lahme baajine traboulsi (phyllo pastry topped with minced lamb meat) to succulent grills such as mixed grill with tawouk, lamb chops, half boneless chicken and masbaha with pine nuts, and delicious daily dishes such as stuffed lamb, riz a djeij (rice cooked in chicken stock), Al Hallab brings the true spirit of Lebanese dining to the table. Generous, soulful, and crafted with the finest fresh ingredients, every dish reflects the flavours, traditions, and warmth of Lebanon.

Dessert at Al Hallab is an experience in itself. Renowned for its mastery of Lebanese sweets, the restaurant offers guests a chance to savor iconic creations such as knefeh, baklava, and other traditional sweets that have defined celebrations across Lebanon for decades. 

Beyond the food, Al Hallab’s atmosphere plays a key role in its appeal. Elegant yet inviting interiors, attentive service, and a sense of timeless hospitality make it an ideal destination for families, couples, and solo travellers alike. It’s the kind of place that feels special without being intimidating, refined without losing its soul.

As Dubai continues to position itself as a global hub for tourism and culture, Al Hallab remains a reminder that the most meaningful travel experiences are often found at the table. It is where stories are shared, cultures connect, and memories are made, one dish at a time.

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