Hospitality

BREWED TO PERFECTION

Published

6 months ago

November 24, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

Michael Aldendorff, Managing Director of Sage, professional black and white portrait photograph

Exclusive Interview with Michael Aldendorff, Managing Director, Sage

From its Breville heritage to the Sage identity today, how has the brand’s philosophy evolved, especially when catering to professional kitchens, homes and hotels alike?
Our heritage lies in Breville’s engineering-led approach to creating appliances defined by precision and performance. When the Group expanded globally, it introduced the Sage® brand in markets such as the UK, Europe and the Middle East, since the Breville name was already owned by a third party in these regions. This gave us a company-owned identity that delivers the same global innovation while resonating with local consumers.

Coffee has always been at the center of that journey. What began as engineering for performance has evolved into what is now known as third-wave coffee at home, where origin, flavor integrity and ritual matter as much as caffeine. Guided by our “Food Thinking” ethos, we work with baristas, chefs and consumers to translate challenges into “Simple Moments of Brilliance.”

Today this means “Mastery in a Box”: intuitive appliances that empower people to achieve café-quality results at home and “Master Every Moment” with family and friends.

As Managing Director, how do you identify emerging trends in hospitality and dining that could inspire the next generation of Sage products?
The most important thing is to spend time in our customers’ kitchens, listening, observing and learning. Trends do not appear overnight; they grow from cultural and lifestyle shifts. In coffee, the growing focus on wellness has meant cleaner flavors, less sugar and a stronger emphasis on origin and brewing style. At the same time, entertaining at home has become more experiential, with the kitchen increasingly acting as the stage.

We also look closely at the café world, since what happens behind the bar often sets the tone for what people later want at home. Guided by our “Food Thinking” ethos, we translate those insights into innovations we describe as “Mastery in a Box.” By the time cold brew or plant-based milk became mainstream at home, Sage had already anticipated the shift, giving consumers the ability to create café-quality experiences with confidence in their own kitchens.

Sage just rolled deep into the UAE market with the Luxe Precision Brewer and Oracle Jet with cold functions—so tell us, what’s the vibe behind bringing such café-level tech into hospitality ecosystems here?
The UAE is one of the most dynamic coffee landscapes in the world, where tradition and innovation exist side by side. Consumers here are highly discerning, well-traveled and passionate about food and drink, and their expectations at home are shaped by the quality they encounter in specialty cafés. Introducing products like the Luxe Precision Brewer and the Oracle Jet with cold functions is about making that same level of craftsmanship accessible in domestic kitchens.

Ultimately, it is about elevating the domestic ritual. A guest visiting your home in Dubai might expect their morning coffee to be just as refined as the one they would order in a café. By bringing this level of technology into the home, Sage helps people transform everyday routines into memorable experiences, whether it is a family breakfast or an evening with friends.

Cold beverages have become central to menus in the Middle East’s climate. How do Sage’s latest innovations answer this growing hospitality trend?
In the Middle East, cold coffee is not just a seasonal refreshment but a year-round staple. What began as a niche has quickly become a central part of home coffee culture. Consumers now expect more than a simple iced coffee; they want cold brews, iced lattes and flash-brewed pour-overs with the same flavor integrity and depth as hot coffee.

Our latest machines, particularly the Oracle Jet, were designed with this in mind. They do more than brew coffee that is later chilled; they deliver extractions tailored to cold beverages, ensuring that flavor remains vibrant and authentic. For home entertainers, this versatility is transformative. One machine can produce a perfect morning espresso, a refreshing iced latte in the afternoon and a clean, balanced cold brew for dinner guests. This flexibility allows people to explore their creativity, expand their repertoire and surprise their guests while keeping the process simple and consistent.

Coffee in the Middle East isn’t just about caffeine—it’s about flavor notes, from earthy to savory. How do Sage machines ensure these subtler profiles are preserved?
Coffee in this region is cultural, artisanal, and steeped in tradition. It’s less about the caffeine hit and more about the flavor journey. Preserving those nuances is at the heart of our engineering. Sage machines employ technologies like PID temperature control, low-pressure pre-infusion, and adjustable flow rates to ensure precise and repeatable extractions. These details may sound technical, but they translate into something very tangible at home: the floral notes in an Ethiopian roast or the earthy richness of Yemeni beans can shine through rather than being lost.

We also focus heavily on grind precision and milk texturing. Many of the subtler flavor profiles are diminished when paired with poorly textured milk or an inconsistent grind. By controlling these variables, our machines protect the integrity of the bean and the craft of the roaster. For home users, that means confidence—whether they’re making a quick morning coffee or hosting a tasting evening, every cup lives up to its promise.

What role do you see Sage playing in shaping coffee tasting menus—where coffee is paired with specific courses, desserts, or even savory dishes in fine dining?
This is one of the most exciting trends we are seeing: coffee moving beyond the end of the meal and becoming part of the broader hospitality experience at home. More and more people want to explore coffee in new ways, treating it as something to be discovered, shared and celebrated.

Sage’s role is to make this exploration accessible. Our machines allow users to fine-tune every variable, from grind size to temperature to extraction time, so they can highlight flavor notes and create moments that feel truly personal. For some, this might mean experimenting with pairings, while for others it is simply about elevating the daily ritual.

For us, success is when coffee becomes more than a beverage. It becomes a tool for creativity, connection and shared experience in the home.

Hospitality

AT.MOSPHERE AT BURJ KHALIFA: FOUR MOMENTS, ABOVE THE ORDINARY

Published

13 hours ago

May 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

At At.mosphere, guests are welcomed to one of the city’s most coveted tables. High within the Burj Khalifa, dining takes on a rare stillness, with Dubai unfolding far below and the horizon dissolving into sky, creating a sense of scale that feels almost otherworldly.

At AED 155, the day moves through four distinct moments from morning to evening. No matter the hour, there’s a moment that fits.

Sunrise in the Sky – Breakfast
A slow start above the city with two organic eggs your style or fluffy pancakes with raspberry jam and vanilla Chantilly, alongside coffee as Dubai wakes beneath you.
Time: 8:00 am to 11:30 am

Business Lunch
A midday selection featuring roasted sea bream with black Venere rice or slow-cooked beef cheek with potato purée, finishing on something light.
Time: 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Afternoon Tea
Delicate sandwiches, warm English scones with jam and artisanal cream, and classic pastries served as the light shifts across the skyline.
Time: 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Golden Hour – Cocktails and Bites
Golden hour takes over with signature cocktails, curated bites, and a skyline that naturally draws you in.
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Hospitality

BAVARIAN-ARAB SOCIETY OPENS OFFICE AT MUNICH AIRPORT

Published

13 hours ago

May 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

With the opening of its office at Munich Airport, the Bavarian-Arab Society is creating a one-of-a-kind contact point for Arab travelers right at the airport. The initiative aims to build a lasting bridge between Bavaria and the Arab world, as well as enhance the passenger experience for guests from this region by making it more personalized, comfortable, and culturally sensitive.

The society sees itself as a point of contact and an active mediator among passengers, airlines, the airport operator, the region, and business and tourism partners. Its approach is holistically aligned with the entire travel chain – from the moment passengers arrive at the airport through their stay in Munich and Bavaria.

Its services include, among other things, personal assistance for Arab guests at the airport, the promotion of cultural understanding, and the development of tailored service offerings such as “Meet & Assist.” The Bavarian-Arab Society works closely with Arab airline representatives and consulates to identify their needs and wishes, translating them into concrete improvements or further optimizing existing offerings.

The close connection between the society and Munich Airport, as well as the strategic importance of the Arab market, is also evident in the leadership structure at the highest level. Dr. Jan-Henrik Andersson, Munich Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Security Officer, is also the Bavarian-Arab Society’s president. Andersson and the society’s Vice President, Youssef El Aobaidi, will work together to ensure the continued success of the Bavarian-Arab Association.

Dr. Jan-Henrik Andersson said, “The opening of our new office sends a clear message: Arab guests are warmly welcomed at Munich Airport. This spirit of hospitality should be experienced throughout the entire customer journey, not just in isolated instances.”

The new office opened almost simultaneously with the recently inaugurated Terminal 1 Pier, which is specifically tailored to the needs of Arab travelers with high-quality retail and dining options – including halal-friendly choices and prayer rooms.

“The vision of the Bavarian-Arab Society is to create a vibrant platform for intercultural dialogue and economic exchange, and to strengthen Munich and Bavaria’s appeal as destinations for Arab travelers,” explains Metin Ülker, General Manager of the Bavarian-Arab Society.

With this opening, Munich Airport is signaling its commitment to internationalism, genuine hospitality, and its position as a cosmopolitan, service-oriented hub.

Hospitality

VAPIANO INTRODUCES BREAKFAST FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY ACROSS UAE OUTLETS

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Vapiano is set to introduce breakfast for the first time in its history across its UAE outlets, marking an exciting new chapter for the international dining brand. The new Vapiano Breakfast Menu has been created to bring a fresh, social, and relaxed international lifestyle experience to the morning dining scene, offering guests a new way to begin their day with freshly prepared dishes, premium ingredients, and world-class Illy coffee.

Owned and operated in the UAE by Al Ahlia Group, Al Ahlia General Trading Company PVT LTD, which was conceived and established in 1979 by a group of prominent UAE Nationals, Vapiano continues to strengthen its presence in the country’s evolving food and beverage landscape.

Known for its fresh ingredients, casual dining atmosphere, and made-to-order culinary experience, Vapiano is now extending its offering into breakfast with a menu designed to appeal to today’s evolving dining preferences. The new breakfast selection has been created to bring together comfort, freshness, convenience, and flavour, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed breakfast experience whether they are starting their workday, meeting friends, taking a slow morning break, or enjoying a weekend gathering.

The launch is especially significant as it represents the first Vapiano Breakfast Menu to be introduced anywhere in the world, with the UAE selected as the pioneering market for this new chapter in the brand’s journey. This global first reflects the UAE’s dynamic dining culture, its appetite for fresh culinary experiences, and its position as a leading market for innovation in the food and beverage sector.

The new breakfast menu features a wide variety of dishes created for different tastes and morning moods. Guests can enjoy wholesome bowls, warm croissant-based favourites, egg dishes, sourdough options, fresh juices, smoothies, coffee, and tea.

The menu also includes comforting favourites such as Classic Omelette and Shakshuka, served on Vapiano’s baked sourdough pizza base. For guests looking for lighter and refreshing options, the menu offers the House Granola Acai Bowl, Mango Chia Pot, and Feel-Good Bowl, alongside freshly squeezed juices and a selection of coffee and tea options.

With the introduction of breakfast, Vapiano aims to become a new morning destination for guests seeking quality, freshness, and a warm social setting. The menu has been designed not only as a food offering, but as a complete morning experience – one that encourages guests to gather, connect, share, and enjoy a different side of Vapiano.

“Breakfast is one of the most important moments of the day, and we are excited to bring the Vapiano experience into this occasion for the very first time,” said Ilenia Alba, Head of Operation. “Launching the first Vapiano Breakfast Menu worldwide in the UAE is a proud milestone for us. This market has always embraced fresh ideas and new dining experiences, making it the perfect place to introduce our breakfast concept. We look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy good mornings, fresh flavours, and memorable moments at Vapiano.”

The introduction of Vapiano Breakfast also responds to a growing demand for morning dining experiences that are casual, social, and high quality. With more guests looking for places that offer both convenience and atmosphere, Vapiano’s breakfast menu creates a new opportunity for people to enjoy the brand earlier in the day.

The Vapiano Breakfast Menu will be available from May 20 across Vapiano UAE outlets at Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall, Bawadi Mall Al Ain, Palm Jumeirah Mall, City Centre Al Zahia, City Centre Deira, and Al Jimi Mall.

For more information, guests can follow @VapianoUAE on social media.

About Vapiano

Vapiano is an international restaurant brand known for its relaxed atmosphere, fresh ingredients, and made-to-order dining experience. With a menu inspired by Italian flavours and a casual social setting, Vapiano brings people together over fresh food, warm hospitality, and memorable dining moments.

In the UAE, Vapiano is owned and operated by Al Ahlia Group, Al Ahlia General Trading Company PVT LTD, which was conceived and established in 1979 by a group of prominent UAE Nationals.