KEY PEOPLE

Managing Partner

Partner

Rizwan Kassim is a testament to the UAE’s spirit of entrepreneurship. Having started out with the long-established Canteen du Faubourg in Paris ten years ago, the young Parisian saw a vision for the brand in Dubai and has since gone on to create the RIKAS Group which is now one of the giants in the Middle East's dining scene. In just seven years, he has opened a staggering number of luxury restaurants in Dubai, many of which now gracing the pages of the inaugural Michelin Guide.

With expansion underway to countries including Saudi Arabia, Greece and the US, there is no stopping the ambitious young entrepreneur as he takes the RIKAS Group - home to top name dining destinations such as Twiggy, Ninive and Lana Lusa, with cuisines ranging from Japanese to Middle Eastern and Portuguese - to the world stage.

Pierre Pirajean and Helena Paraboschi have been creating unique restaurant concepts for over 20 years: Durand Dupont in Neuilly, La Mère Michelle, Xu and La Cantine du Faubourg at 105 rue Saint Honore in the 8th arrondissement of Paris etc... With la Cantine du Faubourg, Pierre and Helena innovates once again by combining quality dining and a festive atmosphere with the presence of resident DJs. This unique restaurant has been hosting international celebrities for over 15 years.

Entrepreneurs at heart, they embark on this F&B business journey at a very young age, starting with seasonal adventures in the resorts winter sports. Functioning as a duet, they like to imagine for each of their places a concept & a tailor-made visual identity.