Hospitality
DODO PIZZA UAE OPENED DUBAI’S FIRST AND LARGEST KIDS’ CULINARY EDUTAINMENT ACADEMY
Dodo Pizza UAE opened the Kids Pizza Academy, Dubai’s first and largest purpose-built culinary edutainment facility for children aged 3-12, located in JLT, Cluster T.
The launch positions the brand within the UAE’s 2026 Year of the Family agenda, offering a structured, screen-free alternative to passive family entertainment formats.Ivan Pyadyshev, CEO of Dodo Pizza MENA, cut the ribbon at the opening, attended by families, media, and members of the JLT community.

The masterclasses
The Academy’s hands-on “Masters of Pizza” masterclasses are the heart of the concept. Since its soft opening, Dodo Kids Pizza Academy has already hosted 15 masterclasses, with plans to run 25 sessions per week, spanning daily drop-in classes, school field trips, all-inclusive birthday parties, and community events, all tailored by age group. Each one-hour session is led by trained “friendstructors” who guide children through dough-rolling, topping, and baking from start to finish, before they tuck into their creations fresh from the oven.
At the grand opening, two masterclasses were held across the afternoon and evening, with kids split into two age groups (3-7 and 8-12) so each session matched their skills and needs. Every young chef wore a personalized apron, shaped their own pizza, and left with a diploma and sticker pack to mark the occasion.
The same format is available year-round through the Academy’s birthday packages, which scale across three tiers. The Junior Chef experience (130 AED/kid weekdays, 150 AED/kid weekends; 2 hours) includes the masterclass, greeting games, signature tableware, food and beverages, a personal host, photo booth, and diploma pack with e-invites. Master Chef (150/170 AED/kid; 2 hours) adds a greeting quest, a choice of themed tableware, face painting or temporary tattoos, and a birthday gift. Culinary Maestro (300/330 AED/kid; 3 hours) is the full celebration, with guest prizes, the Dodo bird mascot and disco time, themed balloon decor, a piñata, and a 2kg themed cake.


The science behind the fun
Recent research confirms that structured cooking programmes improve children’s confidence, problem-solving skills, and culinary self-efficacy – benefits that compound alongside the fine motor and sensory development that hands-on kitchen activities naturally support.
For parents, structured activities that hold a child’s attention don’t just make for a better outing, they actively reduce the mental load of parenting in public, giving children something real to do and parents space to actually be present. This is what separates purposeful family programming from entertainment that merely keeps children occupied.
The full experience
Beyond the masterclasses, the grand opening delivered face painting, dance battles, a wheel of fortune, live entertainment, games, and ice cream vouchers between sessions.
The grand opening included an emcee, face painting, dance battles, a wheel of fortune, and ice cream vouchers between sessions. Once the masterclasses wrapped, children gathered at communal tables to share the pizzas they had made.
The opening marks the start of an ongoing programme. With weekly masterclasses planned and formats designed to scale with a child’s age, the Academy is building a recurring curriculum rather than a single experience.
The brand has signalled plans for regional growth, with Qatar identified as a likely next market and early-stage discussions underway for Iraq and Abu Dhabi. For Dodo Pizza UAE, the Academy represents a long-term investment in the local family community, one the brand intends to replicate across the GCC.
Hospitality
A PROPER BREAK, ON YOUR OWN CLOCK: VOCO BONNINGTON DUBAI UNVEILS 36-HOUR STAYCATION

voco Bonnington Dubai is inviting guests to press pause with a new 36-hour staycation offer, built for travellers who want more than a rushed overnight stay. Rather than checking in for a single night and rushing out the next morning, guests can check in from 9am and check out at 9pm the following day, unlocking a full day and a half at the hotel for the price of one night.
The extended format is designed around the idea that a proper break needs more than a few hours to actually feel like one. Guests have an extra afternoon, evening and full day to make use of the hotel rather than squeezing everything into a single overnight, whether that means a long lie-in, a lazy breakfast, an afternoon by the pool, or simply having somewhere comfortable to work from before heading back out into the city. Breakfast is included on both mornings, so guests can ease into each day without the usual checkout-time pressure, and children stay free, with complimentary meals from the kids’ menu for the full length of the stay.

Location adds to the appeal. voco Bonnington Dubai sits just minutes from DMCC Metro, Dubai Marina and JBR, giving guests quick access to the beach, marina walk and the city’s business districts, while the hotel itself offers enough to make staying in just as tempting, from the gym and pool to its food and beverage outlets offering guests a place to unwind without needing to go far. It is this mix of connectivity and comfort that makes the 36-hour format work particularly well here, guests get the flexibility to explore Dubai on their own schedule, with a relaxed, well-equipped base to return to in between.
The offer is bookable for stays until 6 September 2026, and forms part of a wider IHG Hotels & Resorts initiative running across more than 190 hotels and resorts in the Middle East, Africa, India and South Asia, giving guests the same extended-stay flexibility wherever they choose to book.
Hospitality
KEETA TEAMS UP WITH EMPIRE ENTERTAINMENT TO LAUNCH SONY PICTURES’ SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY CAMPAIGN IN THE UAE
Keeta, the international on-demand food delivery platform backed by global technology leader Meituan, announced an exciting co-promotion with Empire Entertainment to launch a UAE campaign inspired by Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day, releasing in cinemas July 30th bringing together entertainment and everyday convenience in a unique experience for customers across the UAE.
Built around the campaign theme “Delivering A Brand New Day,” the collaboration is designed to make every day easier, brighter, and more rewarding through memorable experiences that go beyond food delivery.
Running throughout the campaign, customers can take part in a series of interactive experiences, including in-app challenges, exclusive rewards, mall activations, and the chance to win cinema experiences inspired by the highly anticipated theatrical release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The campaign will also feature immersive pop-up experiences at some of the UAE’s most popular shopping destinations, allowing families, movie fans, and customers to engage with the brand through interactive games, exclusive prizes, and entertainment-led experiences.
The collaboration reflects Keeta’s commitment to creating memorable experiences that go beyond everyday delivery, connecting customers with the moments, brands, and experiences they love.
As Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in cinemas on July 30th, Keeta invites customers across the UAE to join the celebration and discover how every order can help deliver a brand new day. For additional information about Keeta, download the app from [HERE].
Hospitality
JAMES CAFÉ UNVEILS NEW SEASONAL BEVERAGES INSPIRED BY SUMMER FLAVOURS
From floral matcha blends to bold espresso creations, the new line-up captures the essence of the season in every sip
James Café introduces a new collection of seasonal beverages, bringing together vibrant flavours, elevated ingredients, and a fresh take on café classics.
At the heart of the new menu is a creative exploration of matcha, reimagined through a series of distinctive flavour pairings. From the tangy brightness of Hibiscus Matcha to the soft, aromatic notes of Lavender Matcha, each drink balances the earthy depth of ceremonial-grade matcha with a unique seasonal twist. Variations such as Vanilla Matcha and Berry Matcha introduce a smoother, more indulgent profile, combining creamy textures with subtle sweetness.

For coffee lovers, the offering leans into both comfort and experimentation. The Crème Espresso delivers a rich, full-bodied coffee topped with a silky foam and a hint of vanilla, while the more adventurous Volcano Espresso pairs bold espresso with ginger ale and vanilla, creating a layered drink with a distinctive, slightly smoky finish.


Each beverage is priced at AED 32 and is available across all James Café locations in Abu Dhabi. Designed to reflect the lighter, brighter mood of the season, the menu blends delicate florals, fruity notes, and bold coffee profiles, offering something for every palate, whether you’re looking for something refreshing, indulgent, or quietly comforting.
Highlights from the seasonal menu:
- Hibiscus Matcha — a bright, lightly tart blend of green tea and hibiscus
- Lavender Matcha — a delicate floral infusion with a smooth, creamy finish
- Berry Matcha — a fruity, vibrant take on ceremonial matcha
- Vanilla Matcha — soft, comforting, and subtly sweet
- Crème Espresso — rich espresso topped with silky foam and vanilla notes
- Volcano Espresso — bold espresso with ginger ale and a smoky finish
Locations:
James Café, Al Qana, Abu Dhabi
James Café, Shams Boutik, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
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