The Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah is pleased to announce the appointment of Karim El Ghandour as Director of Human Resources.

Bringing more than 25 years of hospitality and HR leadership experience across the Middle East and Africa, El Ghandour joins the five-star resort to lead its human resources strategy, with a focus on strengthening colleague engagement, talent development, and workplace culture while supporting the continued growth of the property.

In his new role, El Ghandour will oversee the resort’s human resources function, drawing on extensive experience in talent acquisition, performance management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, compliance, leadership development, and workforce optimisation. His appointment further supports The Cove Rotana Resort’s commitment to building a strong, people-focused culture and recognises the important role colleagues play in delivering the warm and genuine hospitality for which Rotana is known.

Commenting on his appointment, El Ghandour said: “I am pleased to join The Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah and become part of the Rotana family. Throughout my career, I have seen first-hand the important role that people and culture play in the success of a hotel. I look forward to working closely with our colleagues and leadership team to build a strong and supportive workplace, develop our talent, and ensure our people strategy continues to contribute to the growth and performance of the resort.”

El Ghandour joins The Cove Rotana Resort following more than 15 years with IHG Hotels & Resorts, most recently serving as Cluster Director of Human Resources in Kuwait. In this role, he led the full HR function across a cluster of properties with a combined workforce of 800 colleagues and served as a member of the Executive Committee. He also led the HR pre-opening of InterContinental Kuwait, IHG’s first luxury property in the country.

His career in hospitality began in hotel operations, with early roles spanning front office and operational management before he moved into training and development and, subsequently, senior human resources leadership. He has also worked in convention and catering sales and co-founded and managed a travel business, giving him a broad understanding of the operational and commercial realities of hotel performance.

This combination of operational and HR experience has shaped his approach to leadership, centred on people, performance, and a first-hand understanding of hotel operations. At The Cove Rotana Resort, El Ghandour will bring this perspective to the continued development of its colleague culture, supporting high-performing teams and aligning the resort’s people strategy with its wider business objectives.

Visit The Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah for more information and The Cove Rotana Resort on Instagram @thecoverotanaresort for the latest news and updates

A Little India, A Little Middle East: How Food Is Bringing Cultures Together in the UAE

The UAE’s food culture is a reflection of the many communities that call the country home. Indian, Middle Eastern and international flavours have become part of the everyday food landscape, with familiar dishes often picking up new influences along the way. For Za’atar Day on 23 September, iD Fresh Food is bringing two of these food cultures together with its Za’atar Parota.

The idea is simple, a familiar Indian staple meets one of the region’s much-loved flavours. The result is a crispy, flaky, layered parota with aromatic za’atar, bringing a distinctly Middle Eastern touch to an everyday favourite. It is a combination that fits naturally into the UAE, where different food traditions regularly come together.

iD Fresh Food’s Za’atar Parota

The Za’atar Parota brings the bold, aromatic flavour of za’atar inside a hot, flaky and layered parota. At iD Fresh Food, clean label is an uncompromising standard – no preservatives, no artificial colours, no artificial flavours, no emulsifiers, no stabilisers, no raising agents, no anti-caking agents and no unnecessary chemicals. The same standard applies to every ingredient that goes into making the product.

The Za’atar Parota can be enjoyed straight off the pan with hummus, labneh or your favourite dip. It also reflects iD Fresh Food’s approach to building its presence in the UAE. The company entered the market in 2013 and has since expanded its portfolio to suit the tastes and eating habits of a diverse consumer base, while continuing to follow its clean-label approach.

The product is one example of how familiar food formats can be adapted for the local market without losing what makes them familiar in the first place, bringing together the comfort of a parota with a flavour that is already well known across the region. Availability: The Za’atar Parota is available across selected hypermarkets in the UAE and on noon.

Ladurée is bringing a beauty-inspired twist to its signature French savoir-faire this October with an exclusive collaboration with Sorbé, the skincare brand founded by Lebanese American model and entrepreneur Nour Arida.

Launching across the UAE from 1 October 2026, the collaboration brings together two creative worlds: beauty and French pâtisserie. Inspired by the signature flavours of Sorbé’s lip butters,rose, lychee, caramel and pomegranate,the collection transforms familiar beauty ingredients into a selection of exquisite edible creations.

Behind the scenes, World Pastry Champion and Ladurée Executive Chef Julien Alvarez worked closely with Nour Arida to craft the collection, translating her beauty brand’s signature flavour inspirations into refined French pâtisserie. Combining Alvarez’s world-class pastry expertise with Arida’s creative vision, the collaboration explores how the ingredients associated with beauty can be reimagined into an indulgent sensory experience.

At the heart of the collection is a trio of individual pâtisseries inspired by caramel, pomegranate and rose lychee. Each creation contains fewer than 100 calories and is priced at AED 39. The offering is complemented by an exclusive Rose Lychee Macaron, created especially for the collaboration, alongside a Rose & Lychee Sorbet priced at AED 45 and a collagen-infused slushie made with fresh fruit and without added sugar, priced at AED 49.

The collaboration also extends to exclusive macaron boxes available in 8 pieces (AED 253), 12 pieces (AED 321), 18 pieces (AED 419) and 24 pieces (AED 526). Each box features the limited-edition Rose Lychee Macaron alongside a selection of Nour Arida’s favourite Ladurée flavours, including Salted Caramel, Pistachio, Chocolate and Raspberry, among others.

More than a pastry collection, the collaboration reflects a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, creativity and sensory storytelling. Through the partnership between Nour Arida and Julien Alvarez, Sorbé’s beauty-inspired flavour palette takes on a new expression, inviting guests to discover the unexpected connection between skincare-inspired ingredients and the art of French pâtisserie.