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99 SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT ENTERS A NEW ERA OF CULINARY LEADERSHIP AND GLOBAL EXPANSION

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In a defining moment for one of the region’s most celebrated, MICHELIN-starred Japanese dining brands, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant announces a bold new chapter in its evolution – one marked by strategic talent investment, renewed culinary direction, and an unwavering commitment to long-term growth.

At a time when the hospitality landscape across the UAE continues to evolve, 99 Sushi remains steadfast in its belief that challenge breeds opportunity. The brand is doubling down by investing in exceptional talent, expanding its footprint, and reinforcing the culinary vision that has earned it a MICHELIN Star for three consecutive years at its Four Seasons Abu Dhabi flagship, alongside recognition from the world’s most respected culinary guides.

Leading the charge is Chef Thinus van der Westhuizen, who steps into the newly defined role of from Culinary Director of the UAE to Culinary Director for 99 International. Long regarded as the creative force behind 99 Sushi’s kitchen standards, Thinus now assumes global oversight of the brand’s culinary vision – ensuring consistency, innovation, and excellence across every location as the group enters its next phase of international expansion. Under his direction, 99 Sushi’s signature approach of precision Japanese craftsmanship, ultra-premium ingredients, and thoughtful omakase sequences will continue to evolve, informed by the exceptional talent now joining the UAE team.

Joining 99 Sushi Abu Dhabi as Executive Chef is Pedro Banzuzi, a creative force whose pedigree spans Michelin-starred kitchens and internationally awarded fine dining institutions across Europe and the Middle East. During his last role as Head Chef at Taiko Dubai, Sofitel The Obelisk, the restaurant earned three distinctions at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards 2025 (Best Japanese Cuisine, Best Luxury Hotel Restaurant, and Best Food Styling & Presentation) and a Gault & Millau UAE rating of 12/20.  With a wealth of experience at award-winning, premium restaurants, Pedro brings to 99 Sushi a culinary sensibility defined by technical precision, creative ambition, and a strong command of Japanese and European fusion cuisine.

99 Sushi Dubai also welcomes a new Chef de Cuisine, Chef Timothy Edwards, a highly experienced culinary professional with over nine years in professional kitchens spanning four continents. Most recently Chef de Partie at The WB™ Abu Dhabi Hotel, Timothy has built a career defined by range and international depth. His experience includes a senior chef de partie role at The Potluck Club, part of Luke Dale Roberts’ acclaimed restaurant group in South Africa; a tenure at Highway Shukudo in Okinawa, Japan, where he led the Yakitori station and deepened his affinity for Japanese culinary tradition; and an earlier role as Sous Chef at The Commodore Hotel, South Africa. A meticulous kitchen leader with a natural ability to mentor and inspire, Timothy brings to 99 Sushi’s Dubai team both the technical rigour and cultural adaptability.

The arrival of this new leadership comes at a moment of strong global momentum for 99 Sushi. The brand is set to open in Budapest at the end of April 2026, followed by a flagship launch in London’s Mayfair at the end of May 2026, marking its debut in the United Kingdom. In September, 99 Sushi will introduce Tanjun by 99, an exciting new concept opening at Time Out Market in Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, bringing a distinct yet familiar 99 Sushi experience to one of the capital’s most vibrant cultural destinations. These openings, spanning Central Europe, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, reflect the brand’s confidence in its identity and its readiness to scale.

Group CEO of Ninety Nine SB Investment L.L.C, Jaime Castañeda comments on the recent team development and global expansion, “We have always believed that the strength of a brand is tested not during moments of ease, but during periods of change. The talent we are bringing into 99 Sushi today, and the venues we are preparing to open, are a direct expression of our long-term confidence in this brand and in the markets we serve.”

Grounded in two decades of culinary excellence and accelerating into a future defined by growth and scalability, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant enters this new phase with its most compelling team yet who will continue to serve award-winning, luxury Japanese dining experiences in the UAE and beyond.

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Hospitality

Keeta Kicks Off the First Keeta Karnival Across All Seven Emirates

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Keeta, the international on-demand food delivery platform, is kicking off Keeta Karnival, marking the first edition of its signature food celebration in the UAE. Running from 15 October to 31 October 2026, the campaign will connect customers with thousands of restaurants across all seven emirates through special offers, limited-time deals, competitions and on-ground experiences.

True to its promise of “Epic Deals, Endless Cravings”, Keeta Karnival invites customers to explore more of the UAE’s food scene, from neighbourhood favourites to restaurants they have yet to try. During the peak promotional period from 15 to 31 October, customers can enjoy discounts of up to 50% at participating restaurants, while restaurant partners gain more ways to reach new customers.

“Food brings people together in the UAE, and the variety of restaurants here is remarkable,” said Lucas Xie, General Manager of Keeta UAE. “Keeta Karnival is our way of celebrating that variety, giving customers more reasons to try something new while helping participating restaurants reach new audiences. As we enter our second year in the UAE, the campaign reflects our long-term commitment to the customers and restaurant partners we serve across the country.”

More ways to discover and enjoy

The campaign’s offers are brought together in the Keeta Karnival hub within the Keeta app. Keeta Around You will spotlight curated restaurant picks across UAE cities, with up to 50% off at participating restaurants. Flash Deals will offer selected deals at AED 19 with free delivery, Monday to Friday between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm.

From 18 to 31 October, Keeta Week – The Karnival Edition will offer 50% off the full menu, including promotional items, plus free delivery at participating restaurants. The celebration also takes to the skies with Keeta Drone, extending the Karnival promotion to its service areas in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Customers at Dubai Land, Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai and Dubai Silicon Oasis Headquarters can enjoy the campaign’s offers through drone delivery, bringing together food discovery, value and delivery innovation.

Every eligible order above AED 100 placed between 15 October and 14 November will also be automatically entered into a draw to have the chance to win a Jetour T2, with the winner to be announced on 16 November. Customers paying with eligible Emirates Islamic Visa cards can also save up to AED 20 on their orders until 1 November.

Bringing Keeta Karnival into the community

Alongside the in-app campaign, Keeta Karnival is coming to life across the UAE. At Global Village in Dubai, the Keeta booth at Happiness Plaza 2 will host games, voucher giveaways and restaurant sampling over two weekends, 16–18 and 23–25 October. Over the opening weekend, visitors to Al Forsan Mall in Abu Dhabi can also join interactive games and win vouchers.

By combining restaurant discovery with experiences beyond the app, Keeta Karnival gives participating restaurants more ways to connect with customers, building on Keeta’s presence across all seven emirates and its long-term commitment to the UAE’s food scene.

Keeta Karnival runs from 15 October to 31 October 2026. Customers can explore participating restaurants, offers and activities in the Keeta Karnival hub in the Keeta app, available on the App Store and Play Store.

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Hospitality

AL RAHA BEACH RESORT & SPA ABU DHABI INTRODUCES FOUR NEW EXPERIENCES TO ENJOY THIS SEASON

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As the cooler months arrive, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi is giving residents and visitors four new reasons to step out and enjoy the season. With a line-up of experiences across Black Pearl, La Piscine and Azur Restaurant, guests can look forward to everything from lively ladies’ nights and golden-hour gatherings to relaxed al fresco evenings and sophisticated jazz nights, with packages starting from just AED 85 per person.

Black Pearl Ladies’ Night – Every Tuesday, Starting 20 October

Tuesday evenings are getting a little more exciting at Black Pearl with the introduction of its new Ladies’ Night. Perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a midweek evening out, the experience brings together good company, a lively atmosphere and a little midweek indulgence. For AED 85 per person, ladies can enjoy free-flowing house beverages accompanied by a bar bites platter, making it an ideal excuse to gather the girls and enjoy the evening. The offer is available every Tuesday from 7 PM to 10 PM.

La Piscine Sundowners – Every Friday, Starting 16 October

Friday evenings are all about golden-hour moments at La Piscine. As the sun begins to set, guests can unwind by the pool, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and ease into the weekend with refreshing drinks and delicious bites. Priced at AED 99 per person, the Sundowners package includes two selected drinks and a bar bites platter, offering a laid-back way to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s cooler evenings. The offer is available every Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM.

Jazz Nights at Black Pearl – Every Thursday, Starting 22 October

For those who enjoy a more sophisticated evening, Black Pearl introduces Jazz Nights, bringing together smooth jazz, whiskey and cigars in an intimate setting. Whether it’s an after-work gathering or a relaxed night out, the experience offers a refined way to unwind as the week draws to a close. Priced at AED 99 per person, the package includes two selected drinks and one selected cigar. Jazz Nights take place every Thursday from 7 PM to 10 PM.

Azur Al Fresco Aperitivo – Every Saturday, Starting 17 October

With the return of outdoor dining season, Azur Restaurant invites guests to embrace the Italian tradition of aperitivo with its new Al Fresco Aperitivo experience. Designed for leisurely early evenings, the offering is perfect for catching up with friends, enjoying the pleasant weather and unwinding over drinks and light bites. For AED 99 per person, guests can enjoy two selected drinks accompanied by an antipasti platter. The experience is available every Saturday from 5 PM to 7 PM.

With these four new offerings, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa Abu Dhabi brings together a variety of experiences to suit every occasion. Whether it’s a midweek ladies’ night, a relaxed Friday sundowner, an evening of jazz or a Saturday aperitivo, the resort offers plenty of ways to make the most of the season.

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From the MICHELIN Stage to Delhi Street Food: Chef Pradeep Khullar and Saubhagi Veer Launch One Dish Venture – Bhaturewala in Dubai

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After years of building restaurant experiences and working in Dubai’s fine-dining hospitality industry, Chef Pradeep Khullar and Saubhagi Veer have partnered up to turn their attention to their own passion venture, Bhaturewala — a focused One-Dish food concept dedicated to the flavours of Delhi.

Following Chef Pradeep Khullar and Saubhagi Veer work at Nazaara, which was selected for the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026, the duo are embracing something deliberately simpler: bringing Delhi-style chole bhature and mutton bhature to Dubai through a takeaway and car-dining concept built around a love for the food, rather than an expansive restaurant format. Opening on Friday, October 16, at Shop 7, Lamcy A Building in Oud Metha, Bhaturewala will serve a tightly focused menu featuring Bhature in two signature flavours – Chole & Mutton accompanied by lassi. There will be no sprawling menu, conventional dining room or full-service restaurant setup. Instead, the focus will remain firmly on the food, with customers able to collect their orders or enjoy them in their cars.

The concept will operate on Friday evenings and on Saturday and Sunday mornings and evenings, with a limit of just 200 plates per day.

For Khullar, the venture is a personal tribute to the city where his culinary journey and love for food took shape.

“Delhi is not just where I grew up; it is a part of who I am as a chef. Some of my strongest food memories are rooted in the streets, neighbourhoods and flavours of that city. Having spent years cooking in fine dining, I wanted to bring something much more personal to Dubai — a little piece of the Delhi I know and love, right here in the neighbourhood I call home. Bhaturewala is my way of sharing those memories through food that is honest, familiar and full of character. It’s not about reinventing Delhi street food; it’s about doing justice to it,” said Chef Pradeep Khullar, Co-founder of Bhaturewala.

For Veer, whose experience spans restaurant leadership and brand building, the opportunity lay in creating something distinctive in a city where chole bhature is already widely available.

“Dubai already has plenty of places serving chole bhature, and we never set out to be just another one. We wanted to build a concept around a simple belief: you don’t need a hundred things on a menu if you can do two things exceptionally well. Specialisation is at the heart of Bhaturewala — getting the food right, staying true to what we set out to serve, and making every plate count. The limited menu and 200-plate-a-day approach are deliberate. We want people to come to us because they know exactly what they’re coming for, and they know we care about getting it right. For us, this is about choosing focus over scale, and quality over quantity from day one,” added Saubhagi Veer, Co-founder of Bhaturewala.

The idea for Bhaturewala took shape after years of conversations, planning and the familiar refrain of kabhi toh karenge — someday, we will do it. The founders have now decided to take that step, building a business of their own on their own terms, alongside their established careers in hospitality.

The approach is intentionally uncomplicated: a focused menu, a limited number of plates, and a casual, neighbourhood-friendly way for customers to enjoy Delhi-inspired food without the ceremony of a traditional restaurant experience.

At its heart, Bhaturewala is guided by one simple thought: Dilli Se Direct, bringing a taste of Delhi to Dubai, straight from the city’s food traditions to the neighbourhood they call home.

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