Hospitality
Let the Ingredients Do the Work—We Are Just Cooks
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
THE WORLD CUP TAKES OVER THE COTERIE THIS SUMMER WITH STADIUM-STYLE FAN FESTIVAL

This summer, football fever takes over Dubai as The Coterie Ibn Battuta partners with African + Eastern to launch Festiball at The Coterie Clubhouse by Stella Artois. Running from June 11 to July 19, the high-energy World Cup fan festival promises giant screens, stadium-style energy and unforgettable match-day moments from first kick to the Final.
Designed to capture the energy and unpredictability that makes football so special, Festiball will transform The Coterie into a stadium-style fan destination packed with live entertainment, immersive activations, crowd energy and non-stop tournament action throughout the summer.
Fans can also expect dedicated match-day food and drinks menus including stacked burgers, pies, pastries and loaded chip cones alongside The Coterie’s signature à la carte menu.
Selected headline fixtures will turn up the energy with CO2 cannons, ultras-style flags, live DJs, drums and MC hosts creating an electric stadium atmosphere right in the heart of Dubai.
Throughout the tournament, fans can expect all-day hops offers, score prediction competitions, match-day prizes and surprise fan moments across every major fixture – with AED 500 vouchers up for grabs during activated games. Ladies can also kick-start selected match days with complimentary drinks before kick-off, while returning fans will unlock exclusive rewards and tournament-long experiences throughout the summer.
Speaking about the launch, Heinrich Spies, General Manager, said:“Festiball is all about bringing people together and recreating the energy, excitement and unpredictability that makes football so special. We wanted to create more than just a place to watch the games – this is a full football festival experience with incredible atmosphere, entertainment and fan moments from start to finish.”
With football fans expected to gather across the city this summer, Festiball at The Coterie Clubhouse by Stella Artois is set to become one of Dubai’s go-to destinations for every goal, chant, celebration and unforgettable match-day moment.
Hospitality
DABUBU CHOCOLATE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES IN THE UAE AS DUBAI’S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COLLECTIBLE CHOCOLATE BRAND

DABUBU CHOCOLATE has officially arrived in the UAE, launching exclusively online as the first collectible luxury chocolate brand of its kind in Dubai. Blending playful creativity with premium chocolate craftsmanship and Middle Eastern inspired flavours, the brand introduces a completely new confectionery concept designed specifically for the region’s growing luxury and culture-driven consumer market. Consumers can now purchase the launch collection exclusively via www.dabubuchocolate.ae, with delivery available across the UAE.
Created through a collaboration between TACO BRANDS LLC-FZ and A22 FZC, DABUBU CHOCOLATE transforms the iconic Dabubu character into an edible experience inspired by curiosity, nostalgia, art and culture.
The first release introduces a signature 100g chocolate bar featuring a rich blend of salted caramel, dates, baklava and cardamom, a flavour combination never before seen in the UAE, combining familiar regional flavours with a modern premium twist. Each bar also includes DABUBU’s signature mystery chain detail, making every piece instantly recognisable and collectible.
“DABUBU CHOCOLATE was created to be more than just chocolate,” said Werner Coetzee, Co-Founder of TACO BRANDS. “We wanted to build a product that feels playful, premium, visually exciting and deeply connected to the UAE market and culture.”
Manufactured in the UAE and developed specifically for the GCC market, DABUBU CHOCOLATE aims to bridge the gap between luxury gifting, pop culture and modern confectionery. The launch reflects the growing demand for products that are not only high quality, but also experience driven and social media friendly.
Hospitality
SUN, HISTORY & FIVE-STAR LUXURY: WHY THE IXIAN GRAND & ALL SUITES IN RHODES SHOULD BE ON EVERY TRAVELLER’S RADAR THIS SUMMER
Summer is almost here, and a Greek escape to The Ixian Grand & All Suites in Rhodes deserves to be on the agenda this season. Greece’s largest Dodecanese Island has been luring travellers for centuries, with its UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, layers of ancient history, and unmissable Aegean golden-hour glow. This five-star retreat is poised on the serene shores of Ixia Bay, just six kilometres from the charming Rhodes Town.
At The Ixian Grand & All Suites, the all-inclusive experience captures the heart and soul of Mediterranean living, inviting a sense of calm where both mind and body can truly reset. Days drift by effortlessly – poolside lounging, beachfront cocktails, and the freedom to explore six exceptional restaurants and bars at a leisurely pace. Across six exceptional restaurants and bars, guests can journey from bold Japanese-Peruvian fusion at Muza Htista to the Mediterranean flavours of Vis-à-Vis, Alazonia, and Milonges – every meal a fresh, vibrant celebration of the island’s finest ingredients.
This summer, Rhodes comes alive with a packed calendar of events – from the Rhodes Soul Festival (1-8 June) and Lindos Rock Festival (10-17 June), to the Rhodes Street Food Festival (3-12 July) where live music, global flavours and community spirit come together in the ancient town.
Whether after romance, rest, or a reunion with friends, The Ixian Grand & All Suites is the ultimate setting for a summer escape worth remembering.
The Ixian Grand & All Suites is offering those who book directly via the hotel’s website for 7+ nights, Stay & Dine Experience which includes:
• Two Free A la Carte dinners per stay
• One Dine Out Experience at a local restaurant with Authentic Greek Cuisine per stay.
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