Dusit Thani Dubai has welcomed its new executive chef, the Italian Antonello Manca, and new director of rooms, Tarek Aouini.
Manca worked for his family’s business during his studies, but carried out numerous apprenticeships in London in 2001. In 2005 he moved to Dubai for the first time, but has since worked in Jordan, the Maldives, East Africa and Cairo.
The chef said of his return: “I am excited to see how Dubai’s culinary offering has evolved since I have been away. There now is a lot of competition, events and there is a lot happening. It’s a very good market to be in as a chef and as a hotelier. Dubai, and the UAE in general, is still a very interesting market.”
James Wilson, general manager at Dusit Thani Dubai, said: “It is with great pleasure we welcome Chef Antonello to the team. He has a lot of drive and ideas which will really reposition Dusit Thani Dubai back onto the culinary map of Dubai.”
Tarek Aouini, the hotel’s new director of rooms, was raised in Dubai, working for various European chains in the region and has also held roles in Libya and the Maldives.
Aouini said his plan was to enhance the Thai aspects of the hotel: “I want to make sure that Dusit Thani Dubia, as a Thai company in Dubai and the Middle East, is more competitive with other international companies. I am amazed with the Thai touch and the Thai hospitality. When I got the opportunity to be part of it, I didn’t want to miss it.”
Wilson said of Aouini’s appointment: “Mr Aouini’s passion for our Thai culture and heritage and his experience will further harness the development of Dusit Thani Dubai and its positioning within the market.”
Chef Manca added: “The hotel is going through changes at the moment, there is a new team, a very dynamic GM and everyone is hungry to succeed and to put a stamp in the market. We don’t like second places, we like first place and this hotel has great potential.”
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