Hospitality
Eastern Reported as UAE’s No.1 Indian Spice Brand with Highest Household Reach
Eastern was reported as the UAE’s No. 1 Indian spice brand with highest household reach, according to the Worldpanel by Numerator Household Panel Study in UAE for MAT October 2025. This milestone underscores Eastern’s deep-rooted presence in UAE kitchens and its strong position in a category built on trust and familiarity. Eastern is Orkla India’s lead brand in the GCC.
Orkla India’s GCC business, led by the brand Eastern, grew at a strong CAGR of over 14% over three years for the financial year ended March 2025. To sustain this momentum, Orkla India plans to strengthen Eastern’s portfolio by widening its play in spices and convenience foods, driving relentless innovation, supported by robust distribution expansion across the region with 16000+ outlets covered.
The brand Eastern, through its strong market presence in UAE, is enjoyed in a diverse set of consumer homes, spanning age groups and ethnicities. Eastern’s portfolio includes not only Indian spice blends but also a specially curated Arabic spice range to cater to Arabic cooking needs. The Arabic segment continues to see strong growth, supported by a wide range and locally relevant communication. Another key task Eastern brand is committed to is to make Kerala delicacies more accessible to younger consumers leading a busy lifestyle. The brand launched innovations such as the ‘5-Minute Breakfast’ range to deliver the same loved Kerala taste in a convenient format. These additions reflect Eastern’s commitment to not only preserve culinary heritage but also introduce new categories and innovate for the region. Such innovations are a result of Orkla India’s deep cuisine understanding through its Cuisine Centre of Excellence and state of the art Food Technology.
Commenting on this evolution, Ashvin Subramanyam, CEO – International Business, Orkla India, said: “With Orkla India now listed on Indian stock exchanges, our International Business division is entering a new and exciting phase of growth. And Eastern’s strength in UAE and the wider GCC region is a testament to the trust we’ve built over decades. These two powerful tailwinds will allow us to further grow and delight more and more consumers in UAE and the wider GCC markets with recipes and solutions that make meal-time joyful. Our goal is clear- to lead with scale, adaptability, and innovation, always keeping the local UAE & GCC consumer at the heart of all our initiatives.”
Orkla India remains committed at nurturing and growing its business in the Middle East with strong consumer insights and deep local presence.
Hospitality
LADURÉE CROWNED BEST CAFÉ AT THE BBC GOOD FOOD MIDDLE EAST AWARDS 202
The iconic Parisian tea room is recognised for culinary excellence and refined dining across the UAE
Ladurée, the iconic Parisian maison celebrated for its French pâtisserie and refined dining, has been awarded Best Café at the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards 2025. One of its Dubai Mall locations has been recognized as a standout destination among the city’s finest dining experiences.
Founded in 1862 on Rue Royale in Paris, Ladurée brings over 160 years of French culinary heritage to the UAE. From its beginnings as an intimate Parisian tea room to its evolution into a globally renowned maison, the brand has remained synonymous with elegance, craftsmanship, and classic French flavours—both sweet and savoury.
Ladurée has firmly established itself as a restaurant-led concept, offering far more than a traditional café experience. With a strong presence across the UAE, including its flagship restaurant at Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue and its elegant tea room at Mall of the Emirates, each venue offers guests an immersive and refined dining experience through a carefully curated expression of French indulgence. Iconic macarons are complemented by refined savoury classics, all executed with the meticulous attention to detail that defines the maison.
Globally recognised for its signature macarons, Ladurée continues to honour recipes perfected over generations. The menu also features beloved classics such as the iconic French toast, the Ladurée club sandwich, and comforting French dishes that reflect the brand’s culinary depth and savoir-faire.
The Best Café title for 2025 builds on Ladurée’s continued recognition by the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards, following its nominations for Best Café and Best Casual Dining Restaurant in 2024, reinforcing its consistent excellence in the region’s competitive dining landscape.
“This recognition reflects the hard work and discipline of our restaurant teams in the UAE, who bring Parisian heritage to life in every detail. From impeccable consistency to an unwavering commitment to quality, their efforts ensure that every guest experience upholds the maison’s standard of excellence,” said Kieran Mallon, CEO of the F&B Division at Scope Investment.
As of January 2026, Ladurée proudly holds the title of Best Café, reinforcing its status as a leading destination for authentic French cuisine and sophisticated café culture in the UAE.
Hospitality
LADURÉE TURNS VALENTINE’S GIFTING INTO A WINNING AFFAIR WITH PARIS FLIGHTS HIDDEN INSIDE EVERY MACARON BOX
Ladurée elevates Valentine’s Day gifting with a luxury-led campaign where every macaron box from its Valentine’s collection includes a Love Ticket with a guaranteed prize. Available across three curated box options, each purchase unlocks an instant reward ranging from exclusive Ladurée in-store experiences such as afternoon tea or signature treats, to luxury prizes, including return flight tickets to Paris for two, redeemable anytime in 2026.
Love is in the details, and this year, Ladurée celebrates it where it beats strongest: Paris, the city of love. Bold, sweet, and unapologetically luxurious, the limited-edition Valentine’s collection, illustrated by Guillaume Sardin, invites you to savor life and macarons with audacity.
What’s on the menu for love:
- Heart-Shaped Macaron Caramel Ginger Black Tea | 15 AED
- Macaron Gift Boxes:
- 8 Macarons | 158 AED15 Macarons | 289 AED
- Valentine French Toast | 72 AED Brioche, raspberry lychee jam, rose Chantilly, chocolate hearts, and macaron powder
- Valentine Gift hamper | Starting from 599 AED, Macarons, chocolates, and marshmallow teddy bears tailored for your beloved
- Valentine cake for 2 | Priced 119 AED, A romantic, heart-shaped creation featuring a delicate rose macaron shell, layered with rose buttercream, fresh lychee and raspberry. Finished with a handwritten chocolate love note, this elegant dessert is perfectly sized for two ideal for Valentine’s Day gifting or sharing.
Whether gifting, indulging, or simply celebrating life’s sweetest moments, Ladurée Dubai turns Valentine’s Day into an unforgettable luxury experience. Because love, like a perfect macaron, is meant to be bold, beautiful, and utterly irresistible. Available exclusively in the UAE and KSA.
Hospitality
IFTAR AT PURANI DILLI – SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD, FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON
Celebrate the holy month with an indulgent Ramadan Iftar at Purani Dilli, Sheikh Zayed Road, featuring a thoughtfully curated buffet that brings together authentic North Indian flavours with Arabic and Moroccan inspirations. The menu highlights include traditional Ramadan juices and dates, comforting soups, flavourful kebabs, signature curries, slow-cooked meats, freshly baked breads, and an extensive selection of classic and Middle Eastern desserts.
Crafted by Head Chef Mohammad Afzal Qureshi, the Iftar experience reflects culinary authenticity, balance, and festive generosity, making it ideal for family gatherings and corporate Iftars.
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