Thomas Klein wins Wasabi Kuwait contract

Thomas Klein International (TKI), the Dubai-based restaurant and hospitality consultant, has been awarded the contract to develop the new image and positioning of the Wasabi chain of restaurants in Kuwait for the Sultan Group.

“The Sultan Group already has four other Wasabi outlets in its portfolio, but it wants to launch a totally new, fresh image, so the newest addition to the group of restaurants will have a totally new look and feel,” said Daniel During, principal and managing director of TKI.

Thomas Klein International’s brief includes working first in the development of the interiors of a new Wasabi outlet, to open later this year, which will be located in Wattiya — one of Kuwait’s oldest and most picturesque areas currently under renovation by the government of Kuwait.

“Once opened, the new Wasabi restaurant will set the benchmark in design for any additional Wasabi outlets they open, and all the existing Wasabi outlets will be transformed to match the new brand image and positioning,” he added.

The new Wasabi restaurant will be housed in a stand-alone historical building, and will be approximately 480m² in size.

“We don’t want to give too much away at this stage, but just to say that we have thoroughly studied the concept, researched the wasabi root, its cultivation and farming methods, and this, along with the two most traditional and sophisticated Japanese arts of paper manipulation, has served us as inspiration of what is to come”, added During.

The Wasabi chain of restaurants is owned and managed by the Epicure Group, the food and beverage division of The Sultan Group.

“We have been working with TKI for the past few years and we have a developed a level of understanding that fosters new ideas. The design and image of the new Wasabi will be unveiled soon,” said Ahmed El Bader, founder and culinary director of Epicure.

The total investment for the fit out of Wasabi is estimated at approximately US $2 million.