JUNIOR COMPETITION EMPOWERING TALENT. SHAPING THE FUTURE.
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EDITORIAL
Managing director Joumana Dammous-Salamé
Being aware of the challenge isn’t enough; action is needed.
Publication manager Randa Dammous-Pharaon Editorial manager Rita Ghantous Sub-editor Miriam Dunn Account managers Maha El-Khoury, Josette Hikri advertise@hospitalitynewsmag.com Subscription executives Houayda Haddad-Roumman, Mirna Maroun subscribe@hospitalitynewsmag.com Circulation coordinator Rita Nohra-Kejijian Graphic designer Ibrahim Kastoun To advertise advertise@hospitalitynewsmag.com
Nouhad Dammous (May 2019) Late editor-in-chief Docteur Honoris Causa
THE TRUE ART OF TASTING Jacques Rossel, campus director at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Amman – Jordan, offers fascinating insights into how and why we decide what to eat. Ever since I started working as a chef, I have heard that “people eat with their eyes,” and it is true! Presentation plays a huge role in how we perceive taste. However, are we truly tasting with our eyes? A key role for the brain The first organ used in sensory evaluation is not our eyes but rather our brain. In fact, our brain dictates our food choices.
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From childhood, we develop a food culture influenced by various factors ranging from family, cultural habits and beliefs to personal values and health. Our brain processes food based on preferences, education, past experiences, attitudes toward food and whether we are hungry.
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Ultimately, we consciously or unconsciously determine whether the food on the plate is worth consuming. This is why professional chefs put so much effort into presentation.
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After the food has been ‘sighted’ and ‘accepted,’ it will eventually be evaluated by the other four primary senses - smell, taste, touch and hearing.
All the information disclosed in the magazine was provided by the parties concerned by each publication and checked to the highest possible extent by the editors. However, the magazine cannot ensure accuracy at all times of all information published and therefore could in no case be held responsible should any information reveal to be false or insufficient.
A matter of taste The sense of taste is one of the most important components of sensory evaluation. Taste perception occurs through the taste buds, located mainly on the tongue, in the throat and esophagus. Adding to taste, smell significantly influences taste perception and overall sensory experience. In fact, about 80 percent of what we perceive as taste comes from our sense of smell. This is because flavor is a combination of taste and aroma. When we eat, volatile compounds travel to the olfactory receptors located in the nose. This enhances our perception of flavors beyond just the basic tastes detected by the taste buds. This is why food seems tasteless when we have a blocked nose or a cold.
Published by Hospitality Services
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Sensory teamwork Touch and hearing are also essential in evaluating food, texture and mouthfeel for the former, and the perception of ripeness and quality for the latter. To summarize, we need our five senses to truly taste and evaluate a dish. The brain, on the other hand, processes all sensory input – sight, smell, texture and taste – to create the full experience. So, while you begin tasting with your eyes, your brain does the ultimate judging.
Jacques Rossel, campus director, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, Amman - Jordan
MAY-JUL 2025 | HOSPITALITY NEWS ME
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In this issue MAY - JUL 2025
HORECA NETWORK 8 10
HORECA Lebanon 2025: A powerful celebration of the country’s hospitality and foodservice industries HORECA Oman 2025: fourth edition, future focused
EVENTS
8
HORECA Lebanon
12
ATM
14
Saad Audeh
SEEN AND HEARD 12 12
Arabian Travel Market 2025 hailed a resounding success FHS Saudi Arabia 2025 delivers power-packed agenda
WHERE TO BE SEEN 13 13
ExpoCulinaire returns to Sharjah for sixth edition INDEX, The Hotel Show and WORKSPACE back at DWTC for 2025 shows
BUSINESS INTERVIEW 14
Saad Audeh on the power of a hyper-personalized approach
OPINION 16
10 mistakes new restaurateurs make and how to avoid them
18
3 experts on chocolate’s sweet success
INFLUENCERS TOURISM 22
Saudi Arabia: a compelling case for investment
COUNTRY REPORT 24
The UAE - big plans and a bright outlook
26
5 global consumer trends shaking up the GCC markets
28
Why the AI revolution needs a human touch
30
The rise and rise of Instagrammable restaurants
TRENDS TECHNOLOGY ARCHITECTURE EYE ON 32
Japanese cuisine: the home of umami
F&B 34
How to make menu innovation a win-win for your business
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HOSPITALITY NEWS ME | MAY-JUL 2025
Special report: COFFEE 37 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52
The Middle East’s thriving coffee scene: causing a stir How Gen Z are upending the specialty coffee market The battle of the cafes Coffee mixology: shaking things up with cutting-edge creativity Why coffee brands need to tell stories Today’s coffee trends: is it time for an industry reset? Why choosing the right coffee for your coffee shop really matters How brand personality is powering up coffee businesses Social media; the new essential for coffee shops
36
Coffee
58
Green
62
Cheese
SOLUTIONS MANAGEMENT 54
7 ways to drive profitability through your menu
56
Why self-management will help your team to shine
58
Sustainability in hospitality: a profitable imperative
59
6 business podcasting potholes and how to build a loyal listenership
HUMAN RESOURCES GREEN MARKETING
PRODUCT ZONE FOOD 62
Grate ideas, 3 experts on why we’re making cheesy choices
EQUIPMENT 64
What’s hot on the coffee machine scene
66
3 beverage specialists on what’s causing a stir in the syrup world
BEVERAGE
CHOCOMANIA 68
Chocolate doughnuts
69
New products
ON THE MARKET
Coming issue AUG - OCT 2025 • Special report New projects and investments • Influencers Hoteliers • Equipment Small and heavy kitchen equipment • Food Chocolate • Beverage Tea and matcha
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HOSPITALITY NEWS ME | MAY-JUL 2025
Advertorial
THE INDUSTRIAL KINGDOM:
HARNESSING THE POWER OF EXPERTISE Valerie Zakka Standen, founder of The Industrial Kingdom, explains how the newly launched consulting services consortium is drawing on collective expertise and experience to offer agrimanufacturing clients end-to-end, solution-focused services. Can you tell us something about your consultancy firm? The Industrial Kingdom Team is a multilingual, multi -disciplinary team of specialized industry experts based in Beirut, Lebanon, offering a full spectrum of consultancy services to the agro-food and chemical industries across the MENAT region. What sets it apart from others in the industry? Our consortium of consultants brings together seasoned experts with extensive experience in their respective specializations, all focused on the agriculture and manufacturing sectors in the MENAT region. Through our hands-on involvement, deep expertise and the complementary strengths of our team, we possess a profound understanding of the industry, the regional culture and our clients’ concerns and goals. How does your consultancy complement your work with your company Zakka Technologies? Zakka Technologies, as a leading provider of industrial equipment, is the platform that has brought our team together, thanks to the trust of our clients and the collaborative projects we’ve done together. We are now able to offer both consultancy services and a wide range of processing and packaging equipment through our global network of trusted suppliers. This enables our clients to receive a complete solution - with full support every step of the way.
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Our comprehensive approach covers a wide spectrum of services - from public relations, industry conferences and training development to equipment and production line sourcing, process optimization, digital transformation, product branding, export support and waste valorization strategies. Whether our clients need a full-scale business transformation plan or a targeted consultation for specific operational pain points, we deliver actionable, impactful solutions that generate measurable value. The Industrial Kingdom isn’t just a consultancy; we are strategic partners committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence and regional relevance, making us the top consultancy choice in the market. You also host a podcast. Can you tell us more about it? How does it reflect your expertise and what can your followers gain from tuning in? Absolutely! Hosting the podcast is one of the most exciting parts of what I do. It gives us the chance to learn from incredible guests who share their real-life experiences in the industrial and agricultural sectors across the region. Each episode is filled with stories, lessons and insights relevant to our industries.
The podcast benefits listeners in several ways, enabling them to: • stay updated on the latest industry developments and trends. • hear firsthand how leaders adopt an innovation mindset - and how to implement it in their own teams and workplaces. • take pride in the level of growth and excellence we are highlighting that is happening in the Arab industrial world. • get to know our consultants better and discover how our services can help solve real challenges. The podcast also supports our 4th Pillar: ‘Regional Power Network’ by fostering connections and conversations that strengthen collaboration across sectors. Ultimately, the podcast extends value to our clients by inspiring fresh thinking, sharing practical solutions and building a stronger, more connected business community. Do Subscribe and contact us for your collab requests! Podcast link: youtube.com/@ TheIndustrialKingdom/podcasts theindustrialkingdom.com
MAY-JUL 2025 | HOSPITALITY NEWS ME
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