Connect with us

Hospitality

You Can’t Compete with the Show—You Have to Be Part of It

Published

on

Hand of a chef adding gravy to steak

Exclusive Interview with Mohamed Rifky, Executive Chef at DREAM Dinner Show

“Mother Nature is the true artist, if you know how to work with her.”
– Chef Mohamed Rifky

At DREAM Dubai, the spotlight doesn’t stop at the stage—it extends to every dish. Executive Chef Mohamed Rifky ensures the kitchen plays just as vital a role in the performance. His approach? Be part of the show, not just support it. From humble beginnings in Sri Lanka to leading one of Dubai’s most theatrical dining venues, Rifky has mastered storytelling through food.

From Peeling to Purpose: A Journey in Motion

Chef Rifky’s path began beside his mother in their Sri Lankan kitchen. Years later, a manager in Abu Dhabi noticed how carefully he prepped ingredients and told him, “You do everything with care.”

Since then, each step in his career has added a new layer to his culinary mindset. While working at a fine-dining Mediterranean restaurant, he realized how food could become art. Later, his time with Alain Ducasse in Dubai taught him to value every ingredient for its purpose. These moments, stitched together, built the foundation of his current philosophy.

Designing Plates That Move With the Performance

At DREAM, the theatrical energy flows into the food. Rifky doesn’t aim to compete with the show—instead, he complements it.

Moreover, he draws creative fuel from color, contrast, and emotion. Every dish contributes to the mood, the momentum, and the magic. In this way, the dining experience becomes a seamless part of the spectacle.

A World of Influence, One Story on the Plate

Having trained in Chinese, Indian, Arabic, French, and Mediterranean cuisines, Rifky speaks many culinary languages. But DREAM’s menu isn’t about fusion—it’s about harmony.

Thanks to years of discipline, he’s able to blend global touches into Mediterranean roots without losing the integrity of either. As a result, the food feels familiar yet fresh, bold yet balanced.

Staying Ahead in a City of Evolving Palates

Dubai’s culinary landscape has transformed dramatically. Rifky arrived when options were limited. Today, the city rivals top dining destinations worldwide.

Naturally, staying ahead requires more than creativity. It demands awareness, flexibility, and continuous learning. Rifky listens closely—to guests, to his team, and to the shifting rhythm of the industry. Still, he never strays from the core identity of DREAM, believing innovation should be guided, not random. curve.

Mentorship, Mindset & the Art of Patience

Known for his approachable leadership, Rifky trains chefs by working alongside them.

Instead of standing above, he stands beside. He sees mistakes as valuable lessons and believes real mentorship begins with understanding. Ultimately, his goal is to help each young chef discover their rhythm in the kitchen—and their voice.

The Dish That Says It All: Josper-Grilled Prawns

Rifky’s personal favorite? The Josper-grilled prawns. The aroma instantly transports him to childhood seaside moments in Sri Lanka.

Charcoal-grilled and rich with flavor, the dish reflects his roots, refined by experience. More importantly, it reminds him—and his guests—that food is memory in motion.

Check out our feature on him here, Digital Magazine Hospitality – The Integrator

Hospitality

SAN CARLO, THE ITALIAN RESTAURANT UAE TRAVELLERS ARE BOOKING THIS LONDON SUMMER

Published

on

As Dubai residents pack their bags for a London summer, San Carlo is quickly becoming the go-to booking for UAE travellers craving authentic Italian food, with two London locations ready to welcome them.

Tucked just steps from Harrods on Hans Road, San Carlo in Knightsbridge has been a staple part of London’s Italian dining scene for over three decades, loved for its glamorous dining room, classic menu and warm, family-run hospitality. On the edge of Mayfair, Cicchetti brings its Venetian-inspired, all-day small-plates menu to Piccadilly, with a fresh new interior that’s perfect for sharing good food and good company. Whether travellers fancy a classic, glamorous dinner or a laid-back share-plate evening, both spots sit just minutes from Knightsbridge and Mayfair’s favourite hotels and boutiques.

For the many UAE visitors who make London home for the summer, both restaurants offer something special, a dining experience that feels instantly familiar, like catching up with an old friend. In addition, both restaurants also offer private dining for those travelling with family or friends, making them a lovely choice for group bookings this summer.

Founded by the Distefano family in Birmingham back in 1992, San Carlo Group has won over food lovers across the Gulf through sister restaurants Signor Sassi and Cicchetti, with locations in Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Al Khobar and Jeddah. The same spirit, authentic Italian food, genuine hospitality and no pretence, runs through every restaurant in the group, whether it’s in London or the Gulf.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

SERENITY – THE ART OF WELL BEING CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Published

on

Serenity – The Art of Well Being is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade devoted to the art of caring, to continuous innovation and to building a new vision of well-being. Over the past ten years, the brand has established itself as one of Portugal’s most prestigious names in the world of luxury well-being, distinguished by an approach that elevates well-being to its fullest, most transformative expression.

Founded in the Algarve in 2016, Serenity embarked on a journey defined by sustained growth and a relentless pursuit of excellence, expanding its presence both nationally and internationally to destinations such as Lisbon, Cascais and Dubai. In 2024, the brand marked a significant milestone in its international expansion with the opening of Serenity at Fairmont The Palm, Dubai, bringing its distinctive approach to well-being to one of the city’s most iconic destinations. In 2026, Serenity is preparing to open three new spaces – two in Portugal and one in Dubai – reinforcing its mission to make deeply meaningful well-being experiences increasingly accessible across different geographies.

More than a spa, Serenity represents an integrated 360° well-being ecosystem, designed to meet the physical, mental and emotional needs of the contemporary individual. Its offering brings together complementary concepts such as ACTIVE by Serenity, dedicated to movement, performance and recovery, and the healthy restaurant ZEST, where mindful nutrition plays a central role in promoting health and vitality.

In a decade marked by profound shifts in the way we understand self-care, Serenity has stood out for its ability to anticipate and set trends, introducing new concepts and innovative approaches to the national market. From longevity to physical recovery, from health optimisation to nervous system regulation, the brand has continually integrated experiences and therapies that address the challenges of modern life, fostering a deeper balance between body and mind. Intravenous therapies, ice baths and specialised recovery programmes are just some examples of a vision that sees well-being not as an isolated moment, but as a continuous and conscious practice woven into clients’ lifestyles.

Today, more than ever, true luxury lies in the ability to slow down, recover, reconnect and invest in one’s own health. It is within this space of balance, presence and longevity that Serenity continues to assert its identity, creating experiences designed to restore energy, promote mental clarity and cultivate a lasting state of well-being.

“We celebrate these ten years with deep gratitude and a sense of purpose, proud of a journey shaped by our ability to anticipate the future of well-being. This path has been built by the team members, partners and clients who believed in our vision from day one and who, every day, entrust us with their well-being. Throughout this decade, we have sought to contribute to a new way of living well – more integrated, more conscious and profoundly human. More than following trends, our commitment has always been to create transformative experiences that bring physical and mental health together and enable people to care for themselves in a genuine and sustainable way. It was with the conviction that well-being has the power to change the way we live that we built Serenity – The Art of Well Being. After a decade of continuous innovation, that purpose is more alive than ever. We look to the years ahead with a strong ambition to grow, determined to keep redefining the standards of excellence and to lead the future of this industry,” says Maria d’Orey, Founder & Global Director of Serenity.

Internationally recognised through numerous awards and a reference in the well-being and hospitality sectors, Serenity has been honoured over the past decade, among others, at the World Luxury Spa Awards, with distinctions including World’s Best Luxury Wellness Centre and World’s Best Spa Development Group.

10 Years | 10 Days | 10 Offers Campaign

As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Serenity is turning the tables and sharing the gifts with those who matter most: its clients. Because the best way to celebrate is to share the journey with those who have always been there, the brand has created an exclusive July campaign: 10 days filled with 10 well-being experiences. The anniversary line-up includes unmissable offers such as complimentary access to the pool and beach, 50% off on the Matcha menu at Mashrabiya lounge, personalised physical assessments and a complimentary experience in the Aurum Suite when booking a couple’s treatment, among many others. Prior reservations are required through the spa WhatsApp number.

This initiative marks the start of a special anniversary program that reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to the evolution of well-being and to creating experiences that are ever more emotional, conscious and personalised.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

FIRE AND FLAVOUR: RODEO DRIVE IBN BATTUTA GATE TEASES THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW FOOD MENU

Published

on

Rodeo Drive, Ibn Battuta Gate is set to launch its revamped food menu that reenvisions that homely, authentic All American grill house feeling. Brought to life by a chef whose cooking draws on decades spent across Mexico, Texas and Dubai.

Built around the restaurant’s centrepiece Asado Grill, especially imported from the U.S.A., to cook over open flame, flawlessly seasoned meats and seafood. A new introduction to Rodeo Drive’s kitchen is its succulent, slow-cooked smoked meats prepared painstakingly inhouse by our chefs.

The new menu offerings trades predictability for something more authentic, a menu that reads like a road trip along America’s Deep South to its border with Mexico. Alongside familiar favourites such as it’s Cowboy Tomahawk Steak, 1.3kg’s of mouth-watering Black Angus meat perfectly catered to be shared amongst friends, Rodeo Drive’s new menu journey starts with smoke and flames.

The Rodeo Drive Mix Grill Plater is a generous assortment of tender meats such as 1kg of tender 15 hour slow-cooked brisket, 7 day cured Pastrami meats, delectable sausage and juicy Blackened Half Chicken served with home-made BBQ sauce and two sides of your choice. The new menu’s range stretches beyond red meat too, with a Whole Blackened Seabream and Cajun Tiger Prawns bringing a coastal, herbaceous counterpart seasoned lightly enough to let the fire do most of the talking.

That same instinct carries through the smaller plates. The Nashville Hot Chicken Burger offers butter-milked fried chicken, dressed with Nashville hot glaze sauce, tangy coleslaw, melted cheddar cheese and served in brioche buns. A sure-fire favourite being introduced is the Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes and Burrata Skillet, a dish with a sensory assortment of textures and flavours with blistered roasted tomatoes, fermented spicy honey, rich and creamy burrata cheese drizzled with chilly basil oil and served with toasted grilled sourdough bread.

Nothing on the menu reads as an imitation of a genre. It feels closer to raw material, reworked.

Behind that instinct is Head Chef Walter Melo, a Mexico City native whose 23 years cooking across Mexico, Texas and Dubai inform what he calls Cocina de Autor, a personal style built on curiosity and restraint in equal measure. Formal training at Mexico’s Colegio Superior de Gastronomía sharpened that instinct early, and years spent across demanding kitchens since have only deepened it. “I cook the way I grew up eating, honest and full of flavour,” said Chef Melo. “This menu is simply that instinct on a plate, nothing dressed up, nothing hiding behind the fire.”

That philosophy shapes the whole dining room, not just what lands on the plate. Rodeo Drive’s live fire cooking takes centre stage in its theatre. Deliberately visible, the Asado Grill is positioned as the heart of the space, so the drama of the flames becomes part of the experience itself. It is a menu built on decades of cooking across cultures, brought together on one plate rather than kept apart.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator