Hospitality

Let the Ingredients Do the Work—We Are Just Cooks

Published

1 year ago

April 16, 2025

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

99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant Is Moving to Dubai Creek Harbour This Q4

Published

5 days ago

September 8, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant is set to enter a new chapter this Q4, with the award-winning Japanese dining destination relocating to Dubai Creek Harbour. Opening in Q4 2026, the new venue will bring a premium fine-dining offering to the growing waterfront community, with a larger bar and lounge, a lifestyle-led terrace and views that will form part of the experience. While the new destination will introduce a fresh energy and more elevated approach, it will remain rooted in the contemporary Japanese cuisine and signature dishes that have defined 99 Sushi.

Founded in Madrid in 2005, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant is renowned for its precision-led Japanese craftsmanship, ultra-premium ingredients and refined dining experience, with its Abu Dhabi flagship awarded a MICHELIN Star for three consecutive years. The brand has grown into an international dining name across Spain, the UAE, Monaco, Rabat and Budapest, with further global expansion underway. In Dubai, 99 Sushi was previously located in Downtown before embarking on this next chapter at Dubai Creek Harbour, alongside the launch of its highly anticipated London restaurant.

Hospitality

Turn Saudi National Day into a Private Island Escape with Sun Siyam

Published

5 days ago

September 8, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This year’s Saudi National Day offers more than a long weekend. With direct flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Maldives, Saudi travellers can exchange city life for spacious private villas, world-class dining and some of the Indian Ocean’s most memorable experiences in under a day. Across its Maldivian resorts, Sun Siyam brings together many of the things Saudi travellers look for in an island holiday – space, privacy, family-friendly experiences, premium all-inclusive halal dining and plenty to experience without leaving the island.

Across the Maldives, Sun Siyam’s three collections offer a different experience for every kind of National Day escape. The Luxury Collection, includes Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, focuses on elevated island living, privacy and spacious accommodation; the Lifestyle Collection, featuring Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli, brings together entertainment, experiences and family fun; while the Privé Collection’s Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and Sun Siyam Pasikudah (in Sri Lanka) offers a more intimate barefoot island escape.

For Families Who Want Space, Privacy and More Choice

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi combines luxurious beach and overwater villas, including private-pool options, with plenty for every generation to enjoy. Families can spend their days between the beach, pools, water sports and kids’ activities, while parents can retreat to the award-winning Spa by Thalgo for a quieter side of island life.

Dining is also a major part of the experience, with 15 dining and drink venues offering plenty of choice throughout the stay. Premium all-inclusive options, halal food and in-villa dining and floating breakfasts make it easy to dine on your own schedule, while multilingual butler service, including Arabic-speaking assistance, adds another layer of convenience for Saudi guests. With kids staying free on selected offers, Iru Fushi is particularly suited to larger families looking to spend the their holiday together without compromising on privacy.

For Adventure from Morning to Night

Few resorts in the Maldives can promise horse riding in the morning, shipwreck diving in the afternoon and an evening of go-kart racing. Siyam World was designed for travellers who believe one holiday should contain many adventures, bringing an unexpected sense of energy to the traditional Maldives experience.

Families and groups can move from the island’s horse ranch and go-kart track to its floating water park, dive beneath the surface to discover its shipwreck, or simply spend the day enjoying the beach and their private pool. Spacious villas and multi-bedroom residences give larger families and groups room to stay together, while an extensive choice of restaurants and bars means there is always somwhere different to dine.

The resort’s 24-hour WOW! Premium All-Inclusive concept brings dining, drinks and a wide range of experiences together, making Siyam World particularly well suited to Saudi families and groups looking for a holiday where almost everything is taken care of from the moment they arrive.

For Couples Who Want the Island to Themselves

For couples looking to turn the National Day break into a romantic escape, Sun Siyam Iru Veli, offers a more intimate side of the Maldives. Spacious beach and overwater suites, private pools and a strong sense of seclusion give couples the space and privacy to enjoy the island at their own pace.

With its honeymoon appeal, romantic dining experiences and premium all-inclusive offering, Iru Veli is particularly suited to couples looking for a few uninterrupted days together, combining privacy and understated island luxury in an intimate Maldivian setting.

With the Maldives within easy reach of Saudi Arabia, National Day is a chance to make the long weekend feel considerably longer. So why wait? Pack your bags and turn this year’s celebration into an island escape with Sun Siyam. For the latest Sun Siyam packages, benefits and offers, visit sunsiyam.com/offers or book@sunsiyam.com

Hospitality

Sana Dubai Launches “Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch,” a Sunday Ritual Rooted in Uzbek Comfort Food

Published

5 days ago

September 8, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Sana Dubai, the Uzbek dining destination at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, announced the launch of its new weekly Sunday Brunch, “Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch,” beginning September 13, 2026. Running every Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the brunch reimagines the day after Saturday night as a ritual of recovery, “the Uzbek way.”

Guests will gather around a table designed for sharing, opening with fresh Uzbek vegetables before moving into Sana’s signature Hash: a steaming bowl finished with baked bone marrow and garlic, a dish generations swear by the morning after. From there, diners choose their “cure” — slow-cooked wagyu beef cheek with silky potato purée, carved tableside by the chef, or a whole river-caught Sazan fish in garlic ajika sauce. The feast closes with a plate of traditional Uzbek sweets.

“Hash has always held a special place in Uzbek cuisine — a dish generations have gathered around, made slowly and with care. We wanted to give it the spotlight it deserves, so we built our Sunday Brunch around it: a truly authentic Uzbek feast, unhurried and generous, the way it’s meant to be shared.” — Leonid Litvin, General Manager, Sana Dubai

Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch is offered across three packages to suit every table:

Non-Alcoholic — AED 350 per person
House — AED 450 per person
Premium — AED 650 per person

The brunch is unhurried and indulgent by design, built for guests who want to slow down, gather with family and friends, and let a proper feast do the recovering.

Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch Every Sunday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, starting September 13, 2026 Sana Restaurant, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Dubai Reservations:https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/sanarestaurant/sunday-brunch-5109127899627520?tracking=marketing