NEWS BITES

Evgeny Kuzin and Chef Izu Ani recently launched a homegrown restaurant and lifestyle concept, La Maison Ani, at the Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue. Serving relaxed French-Mediterranean cuisine, in an effortlessly elegant setting, La Maison Ani will be home to an exquisite boulangerie and patisserie, inspired by the daily rituals of French culture. Chef Izu’s love for travel and cultures served as inspiration for La Maison Ani, where the core elements of French cuisine are presented with British and African flair. The all-day dining venue offers le petit-déjeuner with freshly baked artisan bread, viennoiseries and pastries, alongside organic-roast coffee. Diners can enjoy a delightful Mediterranean lunch in the botanical conservatory, and a distinct atmospheric brasserie throughout the evening. With striking views of the Dubai Fountain from the La Maison Ani Garden, the concept has been curated to provide a refined experience for all.

Dubai Food Festival (DFF), the city’s annual celebration of food, is back with a calendar of culinary events and experiences. This year, the 14-day event will take place from May 2-15, showcasing the best of Dubai’s culinary scene across restaurants in the city. Returning for the ninth edition, DFF will present flavours from the best homegrown concepts and renowned fine-dining restaurants, alongside masterclasses by leading chefs. Regular festival favourites, Dubai Restaurant Week and Foodie Experiences will once again headline DFF with exclusive epicurean.

For more information, head to www.visitdubai.com

As per research by Gartner ‘Future of Sales,’ by 2025, 80 per cent of B2B sales interactions between suppliers and buyers will occur on digital channels. As a result, ExploreTECH has introduced a revolutionary solution with a comprehensive vendor/product comparison tool for users. The new component will assist hospitality and travel buyers in making informed decisions based on their requirements, providing vendors a platform to showcase their products and technology. This latest feature helps buyers from the travel and hospitality industry save time and money, by offering an in-depth breakdown of key features and functionalities per product of different providers all on one unified platform. Technology providers are presented with a unique opportunity to showcase their key products and features, reaching a wide demographic with varied objectives and budgets. By connecting with the right vendors, buyers can navigate challenges and create long-term strategies. Additionally, the platform will allow subscribers to request demos and buy products directly from vendors. This digital marketplace assists vendors in boosting their audience engagement and lead generation through cost-effective subscription modules. The brand’s key objective is to connect vendors with hospitality and travel clients, as well as consulting firms, investors and service providers that support hospitality and tourism.

Visit exploretech.io

Ennismore, a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founderbuilt brands, has revealed the appointment of Chef Sara Aqel as the global Executive Chef of Fi’lia, the award-winning Italian restaurant concept. From her previous role as Chef de Cuisine of Fi’lia Dubai, Chef Aqel will now oversee sister Fi’lia locations in Miami’s SLS Brickell and South Beach locations and SLS Baha Mar in the Bahamas, with a fifth location to open this year, in Paris. The 26-yearold Palestinian-Jordanian chef will take charge of the brand that champions women and celebrates a genuine approach to Italian cuisine with a hint of Mediterranean influence.

A palatial beachfront oasis will soon open on the shores of Fujairah. Natural beauty and Arabian heritage merge between the cityscape and the Indian Ocean at this soon-to-be-launched property. Set to open its doors in Q2 of 2022, Palace Beach Resort Fujairah has been designed with a majestic sense of style, developed by Eagle Hills, a private real estate investment and development company based in Abu Dhabi. On the dining front, Ewaan will serve a signature blend of Arabic and International cuisine against a backdrop of intricate wooden panelling and lavish furnishings. Al Bayt Lounge will offer unique coffee experiences, and additionally, an ocean-facing signature restaurant will open its doors in Q4, starring a fusion menu of Oriental notes and locally-sourced ingredients.

Visit www.addresshotels.com/en/ resorts/palace-beach-resort-fujairah/