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
THE BIG CHILL CAFÉ LAUNCHES ‘EVERYONE’S A WINNER’ DINING EXPERIENCE AS PART OF ITS THIRD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN THE UAE
As part of its third anniversary celebrations in Dubai, UAE, The Big Chill Café is introducing a new guest engagement initiative that adds an element of surprise to every dining experience.
Titled “Everyone’s a Winner”, the campaign rewards dine-in guests with the opportunity to win complimentary menu items and exclusive dining experiences throughout the summer.
Marking three successful years in the UAE, the café is celebrating the milestone by giving back to the community that has embraced its signature cakes, handcrafted ice creams, comforting favourites, and nostalgic café culture since its arrival in Dubai.
Running until 20th August 2026, the initiative invites guests to participate by completing a short feedback and contact form during their visit. Diners will be presented with a picnic basket containing a selection of reward vouchers, from which they can pick one at random and win an assured treat.
Prizes include complimentary coffee for one or two, ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes, desserts, pasta, pizza, and more. In addition, one lucky guest each week will win a Meal for Two through a special draw.
As part of the campaign, The Big Chill Café will also introduce a Golden Ticket Prize in August, with one winner receiving a complimentary Meal for a family of Four.
The initiative reflects the café’s commitment to creating memorable dining experiences while thanking guests for their continued support over the past three years.
Details
- Available to dine-in guests only
- Guests must complete the feedback/contact form to participate
- One reward voucher per table
- Promotion valid until 20 August 2026
- Winning vouchers may be redeemed from the day after issue and are valid for two weeks
- Vouchers are not valid on weekends or public holidays
- Vouchers are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or refunds
Hospitality
THE SUM OF US HAS A NEW MENU, AND IT’S FULL OF REAL FOOD
Some people already noticed that The Sum of Us has quietly refreshed its identity with a new logo and updated packaging, but the real story sits on the plate. A brand-new all-day menu has landed in Dubai, designed around simple, comforting food made well and served without fuss.
The recently launched menu reflects exactly how real people eat, effortlessly from light bites to proper meals, with dishes starting from AED 64. Fresh salads, hearty mains, stacked sandwiches and nostalgic desserts come together in a format that works from morning coffee through to long, unplanned dinners.

Highlights include the Burrata & Peppers (AED 60), a bright, shareable plate of grilled peppers, capers, basil, oregano and creamy burrata served with toasted focaccia. The Miso Salmon Bowl (AED 88) brings together grilled salmon, rice, edamame, pickles and cabbage in a clean, balanced bowl that feels light but satisfying. For dessert, Liv’s Chocolate Mousse (AED 42) delivers richness in its simplest form, made with Dominican Republic chocolate, olive oil, sea salt and freeze-dried raspberries.
Flexibility runs through the entire menu, with sides starting from AED 20, including Mixed Salad and Sweet Roasted Carrots, alongside extras like Koffmann’s Fries (AED 25) and Charred Broccolini (AED 30). The idea is simple. Mix, match, snack, share, or build something more substantial depending on the moment.
More than a café, The Sum of Us continues to sit at the heart of Dubai’s neighbourhood dining scene. Part bakery, part specialty coffee roastery, part everyday hangout and where food is straightforward, generous, and always worth staying a little longer for.
Hospitality
LA FAMIGLIA ADDS RASPBERRY CROISSANT TO ITS BREAKFAST MENU
LaFamiglia, a fine dining Italian restaurant in Dubai Sports City, has introduced the Croissant Al Lampone as a permanent addition to its breakfast menu.
Freshly baked each morning, our Raspberry Croissant is crafted from buttery laminated dough and generously filled with homemade raspberry confit. Golden and delicately layered, it reveals a rich raspberry centre beneath its crisp, flaky exterior.
It is available each morning as part of La Famiglia’s breakfast service — weekdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and weekends from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The new addition reflects the restaurant’s commitment to quality across all dayparts, bringing the same attention to ingredients and preparation to its morning offering as to the main dining menu.
What to Expect at La Famiglia:
- Authentic Italian cuisine made with fresh, seasonal ingredients
- Handmade pasta and oven-fired pizza, served with clean, modern presentation
- Star dishes such as their risotto with cuttlefish ink and pasta served straight from a parmigiano cheese wheel
- Traditional tiramisu, arguably the best you will find in Dubai, alongside homemade gelato
- A relaxed yet refined setting, designed for long family lunches, relaxed dinners, celebrations, and everyday moments worth savouring
- A breakfast menu designed to bring comfort and a perfect start to the day
- Kid-friendly options and staff trained in thoughtful, unobtrusive service
- Warm and homely inspired interiors
- Attention to detail, from menu execution to table placement for quiet conversations
La Famiglia Dubai is not just a restaurant – it’s a place to gather, share, and feel at home.
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