#Food

rice price

Soaring rice prices stretch budgets for billions in Asia, Africa

Rice contributes as much as 60 per cent of total calorie intake for people in parts of Southeast Asia and Africa

India’s rice export ban sparks concern that sugar may be next

Uneven rainfall across the country’s agricultural belts has stoked concern that sugar production will fall short

Abu Dhabi's ADQ, IHC look to merge with Q Holding Image GettyImages-1366647006

ADQ, IHC Capital propose merger with Q Holding to create $12bn entity

The proposed transaction would create one of the largest real estate, hospitality, events and catering platforms in the region

McDonald's UAE Umm Suqeim All-female Team at restaurant launch Image McDonald's UAE

McDonald’s UAE opens first outlet with all-female staff, features partial solar PV roof, EV charging ports

The latest venue features another ‘first’, as the branch has also introduced curbside ordering, allowing customers to place orders digitally from designated parking spaces

al khayyat investments _ interview with Managing director Zaid Al Khayyat Image Supplied

Zaid S Al Khayyat of Al Khayyat Investments shares the company’s expansion plans

The holding company’s managing director highlights how the company has been charting its growth path as it supports Dubai’s grand economic vision

Bateel Bakery Image credit Bateel

Bateel International expands culinary portfolio with launch of Bateel Bakery

The new concept is backed by a rapid expansion plan in the region and internationally, across malls, commercial centres, airports and standalone street locations

Snack

Introducing the snack bag of the future

Snack companies are looking at alternative packaging materials due to consumer demand and potential regulations

Operation Falafel

Operation Falafel adds two new outlets to its UAE portfolio

Both outlets will serve a Middle Eastern menu largely focused on sandwiches, platters and an option to build your own bowl

Oreo Cafe

Oreo Cafe opens at Doha’s Hamad International Airport

The cafe in the new North Node offers a wide selection of sweet inventions including Oreo milkshakes, muffins and cheesecakes

Eid Al Fitr

Meals to make Eid Al Fitr truly festive

Treat your loved ones to unique gourmet experiences this Eid

Sheikh Mohammed 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign raises Dhs247m in first week

Ramadan 2023: 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign raises Dhs247m in first week

The campaign received donations from 13,220 major contributors, individuals, businesses and public and private sector players

GMG's new Dubai Investment Park facility is one of the UAE’s largest food manufacturing facilities

GMG eyes global expansion, launches four food manufacturing units

GMG’s Dubai Investment Park facility – one of UAE’s largest food manufacturing facilities – includes three factories to process added-value meat, poultry, and seafood items

ADQ AgTech Park commences operations with vertical farming project

ADQ’s AgTech Park begins operations, launches vertical farming project

At full scale, the 200-hectare AgTech Park will target production volumes of over 40 kilotonnes of fresh fruits and vegetables annually

Middle East and tackling food security

Here’s how the Middle East can feed the world sustainably

GCC countries could produce food cheaply from bioreactors because their renewable energy costs can be lower than the global average

Plant-based meat

Dubai opens 100% plant-based meat factory

Dubai Industrial City will be home to IFFCO’s Thryve factory, which is catalysing the move towards a healthier food supply chain

RedSea and Saudi Downtown Company sign MoU

PIF-owned Saudi Downtown Company, RedSea to work together

The new partnership, underscored by an MoU, aims to build and operate RedSea greenhouses at SDC locations

The COFE Team Image location courtesy: Emirati Coffee Co.

COFE raises $15m in Series B funding round

Last year, COFE announced a partnership with the Saudi Coffee Company with a mandate to invest SAR1.2bn in the kingdom’s coffee sector by 2030

Saudi Coffee Company Chairman Fahad Alnuhait photo supllied

From bean to brew: How Saudi Coffee Company is powering the kingdom’s coffee industry

Saudi Coffee Company‘s chairman Fahad Alnuhait tell us how the company is protecting the legacy of the kingdom’s coffee farmers

KITOPI

UAE-based Kitopi acquires F&B group AWJ in landmark deal

Founded in 2014, AWJ operates brands such as Operation Falafel, Catch 22 and Awani among others

Foodverse

OneRare officially launches ‘foodverse’ in UAE

UAE-based F&B brands such as Foodlink, Bhukkad Cafe, Farzi Cafe, Cali Poke and Papa Johns, among others have signed up to release their NFTs for signature dishes

Mohammad Al Falasi AVP Emirates Flight Catering

Interview: Mohammad Al Falasi, assistant vice president, Emirates Flight Catering

Emirates Flight Catering’s AVP tells us about the company’s diversification plans including private event catering, its focus on sustainability and the growing popularity of Emirati cuisine

shahzad - the co-kitchen

Dubai’s DET unveils ‘The Co-Kitchen’, the first kitchen incubator under DBIN

The Co-Kitchen provides entrepreneurs and startups with many advantages, including a low-cost platform to launch their projects without the need for huge investments

FOOD

Top 5 ways restaurants can reduce waste and improve food safety

There are a couple of changes restaurants can implement that will not require any huge investment

americana courtesy WAM

KFC operator Americana doubles UAE retail offer for IPO

The subscription periods remain unchanged and will continue until November 21, for individuals and other investors in the UAE and Saudi Arabia

Sustainable

Leveraging the power of sustainable cold chains to safeguard food security

According to recent research, approximately one third of the food produced is getting wasted which puts pressure on consumers to change their behaviour

Restaurant Review: Levantine cuisine at Awani

Home grown Levantine restaurant Awani is influenced by the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, and infused with Armenian and Arabic cultures

Joe & The Juice

Danish café chain ‘Joe & The Juice’ launches in Dubai, opens three outlets

UAE is set to welcome ten health-conscious ‘Joe & The Juice’ stores and cafes by 2024 

Pret A Manger enters Middle East, opens first shop in Kuwait

Pret A Manger expands in Middle East, opens first shop in Kuwait

Popular UK-based food and coffee chain opens at Al Hamra Tower, in partnership with Kuwait-based franchise group One PM

Millennials are more aware of healthy eating, says Kcal founder

Millennials are more aware of healthy eating, says Kcal founders

Mark Carroll and Andreas Borgmann tells Gulf Business about how Kcal has paved the way for healthy eating in the UAE

Avli by Tashas Greek cuisine

Restaurant Reviews: Experience Greek cuisine at Avli by tashas

The food includes mezze, salads, vegan delicacies, seafood and slow-cooked meats backed by the sourcing of many ingredients directly from Greece