
in the Middle East
Checkout exclusive interviews
with celebrity chefs and industry leaders
ABOUT THE EVENT
The number of F&B outlets are raising in the region and the existing restaurants, cafés and lounges
are actively scouting for new strategic locations to expand their business. However, in the last few years restaurants, cafés and lounges
have been catching up with the rapidly changing consumer trends, behavior and habits. With technology disrupting the market greatly and the economy’s effect on consumer’s spending patterns has made many successful businesses obsolete and lose their business and customers to raising competition.
It is very clear and evident that the restaurants, cafés, lounges owners and F&B stakeholders need to drive innovation across all business functions to survive and grow in changing business environment.
Restaurants, cafés and lounges
, will bring together all the stakeholders who are involved in creating business models, menu selection, growth strategies, location mapping, to technology implementation from across Middle East.

“What a great beginning for a regional conference RCL 2019. I was able to network with so many peers within the Industry and play catch up. To Have companies and Business Leaders to showcase their winning ways in these trying times and share strategy was interesting.Good to cover Sustainability, local produce as well under one roof”
Bobby Kapoor, Chef Partner, Cartalyst Solutions

“We at Dynamic developed great partnerships at the Restaurant, Cafes & Lounges conference by GM Events, and we truly appreciate the dedication of GM Events in organizing the Event, as their dedication was evident in all aspects”
Zaid Al Hachem, Group Director, Dynamic Hospitality

“My pleasure to be part of this successful event
Looking forward for more and more”
Ammar Metanios Al Ekili, Co-founder, Ammareto Healthy Cuisine

“It was a pleasure to share the stage with such an esteemed panel and an absolute honor to share my thoughts on one of the most trending topics in the F&B industry today. Restaurants, cafes and lounges also helped us to connect and network with fellow professionals.
It also allowed me to update my knowledge in terms of latest technology be it with AgTech, crockery, suppliers or packaging.
Look forward to being back for the next event!”
Nigel J Lobo, Executive Chef and Group Culinary Administrator, Royal Orchid Hospitality Group

“I very much enjoyed my two days at Restaurants, Cafes, and Lounges 2019. Initially, I was unsure what to expect of this new show, but the event easily exceeded my expectations. The quality of the speakers and presenters were excellent and the exhibition was also very informative - particularly because the exhibitors covered a wide range of products & services in our industry.
I certainly gained many new insights over the two days and made a lot of good business connections. I will certainly put this event into my diary for next year.”
Martin Kubler, CEO, Strategic Partnership Solutions

“The Restaurant, Lounges & Cafes event brought together professionals from the industry discussing many hot topics relevant regionally as well as internationally in today's fast evolving market scenario's. The content was driven well by the organizers and I am sure the participants as well as delegates had a lot to take away from the conference.”
Akhilesh Bahl, Founder CEO, Malt & Salt Hospitality

“You guys did a great job, so well done!”
Steven Holloway, Operations Manager, Sarood Hospitality
2021 ADVISORS AND SPEAKERS

Akhilesh Bahl
Founder & CEO, Malt & Salt Hospitality

Nigel J Lobo
Group Executive Chef, Stars n Bars

Shadi Dawi
Hospitality & E-Marketing Expert

Omar Shihab
Founder & General Manager, BOCA

Faysal Younes
Managing Partner, Café Younes and Black Coffee by Café Younes

Ryan Ingram
Founder, Managing Director, TerraLoop FZE

Ramie Murray
Managing Director, Dibba Bay Oysters

Lindsay Trivers
Chief Executive Officer, The Tasting Class
2019 SPEAKERS, ADVISORY COMMITTEE,CELEBRITY CHEFS, MODERATORS

Martin Kubler
Chief Executive Officer,
sps: affinity

Murad Alnasur
Founder and Managing Partner,
Restonalysis FZE

Anoop Gopal
General Manager Leasing, Nakheel Malls

Naim Maadad
Chief Executive and Founder,
Gates Hospitality

Akhilesh Bahl
Founder & CEO,
Malt & Salt Hospitality

George Kunnappally
Managing Director, Nando’s Restaurants

Dinesh Chauhan
Franchise Sales & Operations Manager,
Sumo Sushi & Bento

Peggy Li
Managing Partner,
sps:affinity

Executive Master Chef Thomas A. Gugler
President,
World Association of Chef Societies

Courtney Brandt
Founder,
A to Za'atar

Anoop Gopal
General Manager Leasing,
Nakheel Malls

Spencer Ayers
Managing Director, Sarood Hospitality

Tony Habre
Chief Executive Officer, Addmind Hospitality Group

Ben Tobitt
Group Executive Chef, Sarood Hospitality

Ammar Metanios Al Ekili
Co-founder, Ammareto Healthy Cuisine

Reif Othman
Chef and Founder,
REIF Japanese Kushiyaki

Brian Voelzing
Group Executive Chef, Lincoln Hospitality

Bobby Kapoor
Chef Partner,
Cartalyst Solutions

Ravi Chandran
Chief Executive Officer, Liwa Minor

Mahmoud Bartawi
Co-Founder,
UNDER500

Dean Murphy
Director of Operations, Sarood Hospitality

Zaid Al Hachem
Group Director,
Dynamic Hospitality Group

Alan Honein
Chief Operating Officer, SugarMoo Desserts LLC

Samer Choucair
Director,
CE – Creates

Scott Price
Co- Founder,
Nick & Scott Restaurants

Fadi Ghaly
Co-Founder,
UNDER500

Nicola Walsh
Director of Marketing & Communications,
Sarood Hospitality

Mohamed A. Farrag
Chief Executive Officer,
Al Thiqa Holding Company

Nick Alvis
Co- Founder,
Nick & Scott Restaurants

Omar Shihab
Founder & General Manager,
BOCA

Zein Ibrahim Nouri Al-Zomut
Senior Food Permits and Controls Officer,
Dubai Municipality

Sunjeh Raja
Director & Chief Executive Officer,
International Center for Culinary Arts (ICCA Dubai)

Steven Holloway
Operations Manager, Sarood Hospitality

Nigel J Lobo
Executive Chef and Group Culinary Administrator,
Royal Orchid Hospitality Group

Matthijs Stinnissen
Head Chef,
BOCA

Peggy Li
Managing Partner,
sps:affinity

Michael Hardie
Franchising and Training Manager,
AWJ Investments LLC

Jack Jacob
Co-Founder & Account Director,
Promedia Public Relations

Paul Da-Costa-Greaves
Culinary Countries Manager UAE, UK, Ireland & Asia
Koppert Cress

Dirk van de Haar
Director,
Creneau International Middle East

Firas Alsahin
Co-founder and Design Director,
4SPACE

Rabih Omran
Founder and Managing Director,
Rocfort Kitchens

Ravindra Shirotriya
Founder & CEO,
Veggitech

Hemant Julka
Co-founder & COO,
Veggitech

Farida Ahmed
General Manager,
Frying Pan Adventures

Shadi Dawi
Hospitality & Digital Marketing Guru, Al Arabiya Consultancy

Michael Schaberl
Global Market Development Manager Foodservice, Avery Dennison

Humaid Zayed
General Manager – Leasing, Nakheel Malls, Nakheel

Dana Fadlallah Baki
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, LUNCH:ON

Carole Moawad
Co-Founder, M’OISHÎ

Naveed Dowlatshahi
Chief Executive Officer, Kash Global Group

Mahmoud El Meligy
Chief Operations Officer, Dubai Refreshments Company

Jacqueline Morris
Director of Leasing, The H Dubai

Melissa Murray
Partner,
Bird & Bird

Sau Lin Wan
Trade Mark Attorney,
Bird & Bird

Zein Ibrahim Nouri Al-Zomut
Senior Food Permits and Controls Officer,
Dubai Municipality

Jasenet Betita Liwanag
Awareness and Applied Nutrition Officer,
Dubai Municipality
VIDEO GALLERY
PHOTO GALLERY
EVENT IN NUMBERS
Event Feature | 2019 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
Attendees | 247 | 350+ |
Countries represented | 6 | 15+ |
Exhibitors | 18 | 40+ |
Business owners | 60% | 60% |
Panel discussions | 13 | 8 |
Workshops | 3 | 3 |
Emerging brand spotlight sessions | 3 | 5 |
Onstage interviews with Celebrity chefs | 2 | 2 |
Site-visit | 1 | 1 |
Cocktail reception | 1 | 2 |
chef contests | 0 | 2 |
Innovation live demos | 0 | 5 |
Chef’s corner | 0 | 1 |
Media partners | 16 | 20+ |
Global PR reach | 17,686757 | 21,224,108 |
EVENT MENU

Conference and content
For restaurants, Cafés and Lounges: Whether you are a start-up or an emerging brand or an established brand and looking to grow outside the region, we have something valuable for you.

Networking and opportunities
For suppliers and solution providers: Whether you target chefs, business owners, government or looking for regional distributors, we have something valuable for you.

Experiences and highlights
The event is carefully curated to cater to multiple senses and to leave you with a memorable experience
TOP REASONS TO ATTEND






WHO SHOULD ATTEND
INDUSTRIES

Restaurants

Franchises

Start-ups

Government

Hotels

Developers

Mall owners

Quick service restaurants

Restaurant designers

F&B management firms

Casual dining restaurants

Fine dining restaurants

Franchise and business consultants

Lounges & clubs

Dark kitchens

Food truckers
JOB TITLES
CEO, COO’s. CMO’s, CIOs
Owners
General managers
Directors and Heads of chefs
strategy, operations
F&B, marketing, brand
franchise, business development
supply chain, food development
IT, design, design directors, brand and creative
Franchise and business consultants
2019 SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
2021 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Official Walnut Partner
Strategic Food Packaging Partner
Strategic Partner
2019 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Associate Sponsor
Official Refreshment Partner
Strategic Partner
Official Coffee Partner
Official Agrotech Partner
Official Refreshment Partner
Official Refreshment Partner
Official Hospitality Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Official Evening Networking Sponsor
Strategic Food Packaging Partner
Official Water Treatment Partner
Official Juice Machine Partner
Strategic Sponsor
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Food Tour Partner..
Official Water Filtration System Partner
PR Partner
We are looking for organizations that can enhance the customer experience, operational efficiency and overall bottom line of a restaurant, café & lounges business in Middle East. If you believe you have what we are looking for, please contact us at partnerships@gmevents.ae or call + 971 (0) 568 7800