Exclusive interview with İnanç Işık, General Manager – Retail, Kerry Middle East

You’ve spoken about the balance between taste, functionality, and sustainability. What technological advances are helping Kerry achieve sustainable innovation without compromising flavour or performance?

At Kerry, sustainability and taste are inseparable. Our Tastesense™ portfolio enables up to 50% sugar and salt reduction while preserving flavour integrity. We combine biotechnology, fermentation, and enzymology to extend shelf life and reduce food waste, supporting circular economy goals. Proprietary tools like Kerry NutriGuide model nutritional impact during reformulation, ensuring healthier profiles without trade-offs. These innovations are embedded in our Smart Taste™ platform, which addresses cost, supply, and regulatory pressures while maintaining indulgent taste. For example, our Cocoa Booster technology allows up to 20% cocoa reduction, mitigating volatility and lowering carbon footprint without compromising sensory experience.

Ingredient volatility — such as fluctuating cocoa and sugar prices — remains a major industry challenge. How is Kerry using R&D and data-led formulation to help manufacturers manage supply and cost risks?

Cocoa prices have surged by over 300% in the past year, and sugar markets remain highly volatile due to global supply constraints and regulatory pressures. Kerry addresses these challenges through a combination of predictive formulation tools like NutriGuide and advanced ingredient technologies.

For cocoa, our Cocoa Booster solutions enable up to 20% cocoa reduction without compromising indulgent taste or compliance. For sugar, our Tastesense™ technology delivers up to 50% sugar reduction, helping manufacturers manage cost exposure without compromising on taste while meeting consumer demand for healthier profiles.

These strategies not only reduce reliance on volatile raw materials but also improve manufacturing efficiency, delivering cost savings of up to 24% in bakery applications, while ensuring consistent quality, sustainability, and great taste.

Kerry’s approach to innovation often begins in foodservice before scaling to retail. How does this process work in practice, and what tools or insights make it effective?

Foodservice is our innovation incubator. Concepts validated in quick-service and casual dining channels, where trends emerge fastest, are adapted for retail using Taste Charts, Trendspotter AI, and Kerry Kalaido®, our generative AI concepting tool. These tools accelerate ideation-to-launch by combining consumer insights, sensory science, and chef-led prototyping. At Gulfood, we showcased Gold Brew Qahwa and Nashville Chicken Chips, examples of foodservice-inspired ideas scaled for retail through Kerry’s integrated RD&A network and global manufacturing footprint.

With the rise of GLP-1 health trends and growing demand for high-protein, functional products, how is Kerry adapting its strategy to meet new consumer nutrition needs?

GLP-1 adoption is reshaping consumer priorities toward satiety, digestive health, and metabolic support. Kerry’s Proactive Health platform delivers science-backed solutions like BC30™ probiotics for protein absorption, Eupoly-3™ omega-3s for heart health, and Tastesense™ masking solutions to improve flavour in high-protein, reduced-sugar formulations. Our proprietary research identifies five GLP-1 consumer personas, guiding innovation in formats such as protein bars, functional beverages, and meal replacements. At Gulfood, concepts like the Hot Honey Power Bar demonstrated how indulgence and functionality can coexist.

Kerry recently partnered with KidZania on the Kids Flavour Detective Workshop. How do initiatives like this help your teams understand emerging taste preferences and design products for future generations?

The Kids Flavour Detective Workshop gave us direct access to Gen Alpha’s flavour preferences through hands-on co-creation. Gen Alpha has more active taste buds and higher sensitivity to sweet, bitter, umami and spicy compounds. Insights from this activation helped us develop new cheese powder concepts, Savoury Parmesan and Creamy Gouda, featured at Gulfood. These initiatives ensure our innovation pipeline reflects the evolving tastes of younger consumers, enabling brands to future-proof their portfolios with flavours that resonate across generations.

Collaboration with research institutions such as KAUST and KHNI highlights Kerry’s investment in science-driven innovation. How do these partnerships translate bioscience and smart-health research into everyday food solutions?

Our partnerships with KAUST and the Kerry Health & Nutrition Institute (KHNI) accelerate breakthroughs in microbiome science, cellular biology, and functional ingredient development. These collaborations underpin innovations like personalised AI nutrition platforms, clean-label reformulation, and functional ingredients for better health. By embedding cutting-edge science into everyday application, from sugar reduction systems to hydration solutions, we deliver solutions that meet consumer health needs without compromising taste.

Looking ahead, what does the future of food manufacturing look like to you — and how will Kerry continue to lead the transformation of the region’s food ecosystem?

The future is digital, sustainable, and personalised. Expect AI-driven predictive analytics, carbon reduction strategies, and bioscience-led nutrition to dominate. Kerry will continue to lead by combining taste leadership, sustainability, and science-backed innovation, shaping a resilient food ecosystem for MENAT and beyond. Our ambition is clear: to reach two billion people with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030, while enabling customers to deliver products that are better for people, society, and the planet.

Dubai’s most anticipated new address for elevated lounging has arrived. TIMELESS Luxury Lounge has officially opened its doors in Meera Tower, Al Habtoor City, unveiling a next-generation concept that redefines what it means to relax, connect, and indulge in style.

Founded by Andrey Ryzhov and Dmitriy Parygin, TIMELESS was envisioned as more than a venue, it is a state of being. Guided by the philosophy of the “third place” – a sanctuary beyond work and home, TIMELESS creates a world defined by quiet luxury, sensory design, and genuine care. With its Dubai debut, the brand brings this philosophy to life in a city where the serenity of the desert meets the pulse of modern innovation.

Designed by the award-winning Rhyme Design Studio – honoured with the INT Interior Design Award 2025 for their visionary work on TIMELESS City in Moscow – the interiors are a masterclass in balance – where futuristic luxury meets desert minimalism. Inspired by the iconic mirrored architecture of AlUla’s landmark building in Saudi Arabia, the space blends travertine, sandstone, brass, marble, and fine wood into a cinematic expression of modern elegance.

The ground floor hums with the energy of a futuristic desert anchored by a sculptural travertine bar and six-metre brass arch. Upstairs, the bohemian-luxury lounge wraps guests in fine materials and warm light, offering an atmosphere of intimacy and refined comfort. Extending outward, the serene terrace continues the experience with soft lighting, geometric planters, and intimate seating that echo the calm of a desert evening.

At the heart of the design is a zoning philosophy that places guest comfort at the forefront. Most tables are thoughtfully separated by refined partitions, cultivating an atmosphere of privacy, seclusion, and ease. Each zone is composed to ensure guests can unwind without the intrusion of neighboring conversations or close seating. The result is a setting that invites lingering, encourages relaxation, and elevates the overall dining experience through personal space and intentional calm.

TIMELESS reimagines every element of the modern lounge experience through art, technology, and service. Every detail has been designed to evoke emotion, from five-star touches such as branded slippers and personalised moments of care, to the brand’s proprietary TIMELESS Intelligence System (TIS), a bespoke technology developed in-house to anticipate guest needs. TIS seamlessly manages reservations, remembers preferences, automates key operational processes, and personalises every interaction – allowing staff to focus entirely on delivering exceptional hospitality. Here, even the smallest moments are considered acts of generosity, because true luxury is not loudness, but attention.

The venue’s signature lies in the way it elevates mixology and shisha to an art form. Featuring more than 200 bespoke blends crafted through the philosophy of flavour and aroma, each creation is an expression of craft and emotion. For TIMELESS, a shisha mix is never a simple pairing of flavours; a single bowl can unite four, five, or even six distinct notes. Individually, these flavours may be familiar, but together they form a complex, multifaceted profile that unfolds gradually. Lavender lemonade, a flower garden, a favourite perfume – any flavour or aroma can be reimagined with precision and depth.

This craftsmanship comes to life across signature blends such as ARABIC, inspired by the Museum of the Future and the fluid aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy; À LA RUSSE, a contemporary homage to Russian artistry, infused with the ritual of tea and storytelling and paying tribute to enduring traditions and history; and GARDERIA, a soft floral composition layered with wild herbs, peony, vanilla, pear, and hibiscus. Together, they embody TIMELESS’s commitment to depth, creativity, and sensory refinement.

The beverage programme reflects the same precision and creativity, with signature drinks prepared using house-made infusions, syrups and cordials. Among the highlights are LUST CHERRY, a perfume-inspired berry beverage that has become a TIMELESS hallmark, and HEART, a tropical indulgence served in Italian porcelain shaped like an anatomical heart.

Beyond its design and craft, TIMELESS offers a curated social experience that blends intimacy with engagement. Music flows at a conversational tempo, with curated playlists that complement the mood, while PS5 consoles, chess and board games offer opportunities for connection beyond conversation. Every visit is crafted to feel intentional and memorable, leaving guests with a lasting impression of connection and contemporary luxury.

“Dubai is a city of vision and ambition,” says founder Andrey Ryzhov. “TIMELESS was created in that same spirit – forward-thinking, expressive, and deeply human. It’s not about escaping time, but about being fully present within it”.

Kerry wrapped up its participation at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 after welcoming visitors to Kerry Unboxed, a live, interactive experience that showed how global food trends, regional tastes, and new technologies are coming together to shape the future of food and drink in the Middle East.

Over three days, Kerry’s booth became a popular spot for visitors, featuring live cooking and barista sessions, expert discussions, and the launch of new flavour innovations inspired by both consumer insights and the next generation’s preferences.

Inspiring the Next Generation with KidZania

One of the highlights this year was Kerry’s partnership with KidZania for the Flavour Detective Co-Creation Workshop, a fun, engaging activity that encouraged children to explore the building blocks of cheese flavour. Their feedback provided broad insights into taste preferences and helped inspire two new innovations: Savoury Parmesan and Creamy Gouda cheese powders.

Both ingredients deliver rich, authentic cheese flavour suited to regional and international snacks. At Gulfood Manufacturing, Kerry showcased a range of product concepts using the powders, demonstrating how children’s natural curiosity can spark ideas and influence the future of family-focused foods.

Innovation, Taste, and Sustainability at the Forefront

(İnanç Işık, General Manager – Retail, Kerry Middle East)

On Day 1, İnanç Işık, General Manager – Retail, Kerry Middle East, joined industry leaders for the Visionary Leaders in Armchair panel to discuss how collaboration and innovation are changing global food manufacturing.

He explained that for any innovation to succeed, taste, nutrition, and sustainability must work together, noting that taste remains the biggest factor behind consumer choices. He also shared how Kerry’s technologies are helping brands cut cocoa use by up to 20% and sugar by up to 50% while keeping the same taste and quality.

“Our foodservice collaborations let us test and refine ideas quickly, increasing success rates in a region where over 20,000 new products launch each year but only a fraction achieve commercial success,” said Işık. “It’s how we ensure our innovations remain creative, relevant, and commercially viable.”

He added that new health technologies like GLP-1 are changing what people want from their food, creating a stronger demand for high-protein, functional, and affordable products that fit regional preferences.

“We’re focused on scalable innovations that combine great taste, smart nutrition, and cost efficiency,” he said.

Smart Health: Science, Nutrition, and Real-World Application

On Day 2, Professor Imed Gallouzi, Chair of the Smart Health Centre at KAUST and Scientific Advisor to KHNI, expanded on how the future of food is largely driven by innovations prioritizing taste, nutrition and sustainability. He emphasized that taste and nutrition are no longer competing priorities, they must co-exist to meet the demands of the consumer of tomorrow.

“Smart health is becoming an essential part of how future consumers will live, eat, heal, and thrive. Diagnostics, nutrition, and personalized health technologies will help us tailor nutrition plans not only to the person’s health needs but also to their taste. Science-driven nutrition is the bridge between these worlds, and this is where Kerry is leading globally,” said Professor Gallouzi.

Kerry’s work, he said, aligns closely with KAUST’s mission to turn scientific breakthroughs into real-world innovation, supporting the Middle East’s growth as a hub for smart-health research and technology.

Kerry’s Continued Commitment to the Region

Kerry Unboxed demonstrated the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing the Middle East’s food and beverage landscape through innovation, collaboration, and insight. By blending global expertise with local creativity, Kerry continues to support brands in delivering products that are delicious, sustainable, and relevant to consumers’ evolving needs.

“Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 has been a powerful reminder that the future of food in our region is being shaped by collaboration, creativity, and a relentless focus on taste. Sustainable solutions must never compromise on flavor or functionality,” said İnanç Işık, General Manager – Retail, Kerry Middle East. “Our ability to rapidly test ideas in foodservice, adapt to new health trends, and deliver affordable, customised nutrition is what sets Kerry apart. We’re proud to help our customers turn global trends into local success stories, and to inspire the next generation of food innovators.”