Hospitality
FHS World Announces First Confirmed Speakers for Middle East’s Leading Hospitality Investment Summit
The first 50 of a plethora of hospitality and tourism industry leaders have been confirmed as speakers at the Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, taking place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, 27-29 October.
Globally renowned experts and personalities across hospitality, tourism, media and education are speaking at the Middle East’s leading investment summit, held under the overarching theme for 2025 of Where Vision Leads, Investment Follows.
Details of the speakers can be found here, with the list constantly updated as more sign up. Confirmed speakers include:
- Abdullah Al Moosa, Founder & Chairman, A. A. Al Moosa Enterprises (ARENCO Group) – Winner of the 2025 FHS Lifetime Achievement Award
- Stephen Sackur, Former Presenter, BBC HARDTalk
- Thomas B. Meier, Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah
- Nick Candy, Chief Executive Officer, Candy Capital
- Dr. Achim Schmitt, Dean, EHL Hospitality Business School
- Professor Marc Lepere, Lead in ESG & Sustainability, Executive Education Department of Banking & Finance, King’s Business School
- Amit Arora, Chief Operating Officer, Arada
- Stefano Saporetti, Director of Brand Diversification, Aston Martin
- Hans Meyer, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Zoku
- Daniel Thorniley, Economist & President, DT-Global Business Consulting
- Eleonora Srugo, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker & Star of Netflix’s Selling the City
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS World, said: “FHS World may be three months away, but the planning and organisation, which started as soon as last year’s event finished, is in full swing. Our first speakers are confirmed, and hundreds of attendees have already signed up for the region’s leading hospitality investment summit.
“FHS World gets bigger, bolder and better every year, and we are proud to announce our first 50 speakers and rapidly-evolving agenda at this early stage. We look forward to welcoming back some of our regular speaker participants alongside industry leaders who will be joining us for the first time, when the global hospitality and tourism investment fraternity gathers in Dubai in October.”
With an expected attendance of more than 1,600 delegates, FHS World 2025 will feature its usual highly-anticipated, action-packed agenda addressing key industry opportunities, challenges and trends across three stages, with additional workshop rooms and breakout areas.
Centred around the event theme, Where Vision Leads, Investment Follows, the FHS World programme covers everything from investment to innovation, sustainability to staffing and technology to tourism trends, with keynote speeches, panel discussion, presentations and round table debates on the agenda. Follow FHS World for updates and speakers.
This year, FHS World will zoom in on global hospitality investment with a focus on projects, financing models and hotel performance. In addition, the country pavilions are back again for 2025 with, amongst others, China, Italy, Maldives and the Philippines showcasing their hospitality and tourism investment offerings.
Also back by popular demand is the Branded Residences Forum, which takes a deep dive into the rapidly growing branded residences sector, with input from a host of global experts in the field.
Hospitality
ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS LUNCH WITH ROHINI AT MÖVENPICK JLT
Rohini at Mövenpick JLT has unveiled a weekday Business Lunch bringing fresh Indian flavours to midday dining. With a two-course menu for AED 80 and a three-course menu for AED 95, both inclusive of soft drinks or water, the offering delivers great flavour and value in one easy decision. Served Monday to Friday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, it’s a great-value option for a more enjoyable midday break.
Rohini aims to keep the experience simple and pleasant. Guests can choose from a lineup of Indian starters, mains, and desserts that pair familiar comfort with a modern touch. Each dish is designed to be balanced and enjoyable without slowing down the rest of the day, making it ideal for quick catch-ups, team lunches, or a quiet moment away from the desk. Rohini’s warm, comfortable setting adds to the appeal. Service stays efficient, and the overall atmosphere keeps the focus on good food and a smooth midday pause.

What to Expect:
● A curated 2 or 3 course Indian Business Lunch with soft drinks or water
● Starters, mains, and desserts featuring clean, flavour-forward Indian dishes
● Balanced portions suited for workday dining
● A relaxed, welcoming space ideal for meetings and weekday breaks
Rohini’s Business Lunch offers great value, steady flavour, and a comfortable setting, making it an easy choice for anyone craving Indian food in the JLT area. It is straightforward, satisfying, and designed to brighten up the middle of a busy day.
Business Lunch Details:
● Monday to Friday | 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
● AED 80 for 2 courses, AED 95 for 3 courses (with soft drinks or water)
Hospitality
Experience a Daily Treat at Authors’ Lounge: Fresh Croissant and Unlimited Coffee
Authors’ Lounge at voco Bonnington Dubai has just launched a delightful daily offer that provides an elevated café experience that’s both practical and easy to fit into any routine. Guests and visitors can now enjoy a warm, freshly baked croissant served with unlimited pours of their preferred coffee for just AED 65 per person.
The lounge is known for its welcoming atmosphere, spacious seating, and steady, reliable service. Fresh bakes and a well-rounded beverage selection make it a natural choice for quick meetings, relaxed catchups, or quiet time with a book. The new offer brings together value, comfort, and ease, making it an effortless pick for both regular guests and visitors.

What you can look forward to:
- A daily selection of warm, artisanal bakes
- Unlimited refills of premium coffee with your croissant
- A chic and calming café atmosphere ideal for meetings, musings, or me-time
- The option to linger longer with access to all-day dining
Author’s Lounge remains a steady favourite for those who enjoy calm spaces and good flavours. In line with voco Bonnington Dubai’s approach to warm hospitality and quality dining, the lounge focuses on thoughtful plates, attentive service, and an inviting atmosphere that appeals to both hotel guests and the wider JLT community.
Hospitality
CULINARY SECRETS OF AN INSPIRED PALETTE
Exclusive Interview with Vladimir Chistyakov, Brand chef & restaurateur, Himitsu
Questions:
We’ve heard that your journey started with a moment of inspiration – where did this happen and what was it about that experience that truly changed your perspective on food?
It all started in my hometown, in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. I grew up surrounded by honest, simple food, such as baked potatoes, pickled mushrooms or smoked fish. It wasn’t about luxury; rather the food symbolised care, emotion, and connection. Later, I realised that true gastronomy isn’t about complexity, it’s about truth, and the kind of flavour that brings you back to a memory and can capture you in nostalgia.
You’ve built restaurants that feel personal in story and style. How do you bring this style and individuality into the collective rhythm of a kitchen?
A kitchen is a living organism. It breathes with rhythm, emotion, and trust. I try to build a culture where creativity doesn’t belong to one person. We talk, taste, argue, grow and learn together. When the team understands not only how to cook a dish, but why it exists, individuality naturally becomes part of the collective rhythm.
What’s the wildest flavour pairing you’ve experimented with that actually worked?
Birch smoke and blackcurrant. It happened by accident, where the aroma of burnt birch met the berry’s acidity and created an unexpected harmony. Sometimes nature whispers solutions before logic does.

You’ve lived and worked across different cultures. What’s one culinary philosophy from Russia that continues to shape your approach?
Respect for the product. In Russia, especially in Siberia, people have always cooked with what they had and it teaches care and gratitude for your ingredients and produce. When you treat nature’s gifts with appreciation and honour, the dish will always find its balance.
Dubai’s culinary scene is buzzing with innovation, what excites you most about being a chef here right now?
Freedom. In Dubai, you can experiment without boundaries. People are open, curious, and ready to experience food emotionally. For a chef, it’s the perfect place to grow — creatively and personally.
Himitsu means “secret” in Japanese. What is the secret ingredient that becomes essential to creating unforgettable dining experiences?
Attention. Not just to ingredients, but to people, sound, light, the mood of the evening and overall ambiance. The secret lies in harmony, when everything feels effortless, yet deeply intentional.

Quick Questions:
One word that best describes your cooking philosophy?
Cooking philosophy: Honesty.
First dish you made that made you think, “I’m a chef now”?
The first dish that made me think, “I’m a chef now” was a Black Sea white fish — simply roasted, served with millet porridge and fermented root vegetables. Minimalism with character
A secret ingredient for turning dishes into exquisite flavours?
Secret ingredient for flavour: Time, patience that allows flavours to unfold.
Your signature dish, and the story behind it?
Meat smoked on birch bark with bone marrow sauce and pickled peppers. A dish that symbolises my background, my future and my creativity – fire, tradition, and character.
The one technique you think every chef should master?
Roasting: it teaches you timing, temperature, and intuition.
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