The 'top 10 restaurant developers' forms part of Caterer Middle East's inaugural round-up of the top 50 F&B professionals, a celebration of the most influential people in the region; the ones who, in the last year, have been stamping their mark on the Middle East’s culinary landscape.
It’s about people, rather than companies, who are driving standards, pushing innovation and implementing best practices, taking the Middle East to new culinary heights.
We’ve taken into consideration the impact of their work on F&B operations and standards, judged on: size, scale, innovation and longevity; how committed they are to industry issues and events; how highly regarded they are in the industry and among their peers; and how they are having a positive influence on the next generation.
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With so many heroes to celebrate in this exciting sector, and their talents and contributions so diverse, we have split the round-up into five categories: brand champions; executive chefs; culinarians; industry gurus and development leaders.
Each group of people have been creating excitement, implementing new ideas and strategies, new concepts and ways of thinking, but in very different ways.
The brand champions are a collection of innovative thinkers who have worked hard to develop a homegrown brand, or made a highly regarded international brand succeed in the Middle East. They are dedicated, passionate individuals who, while bringing something new to the region, have excited diners and pushed standards.
Our recognised executive chefs are meticulous managers and inspiring leaders. Looking after large teams with diverse needs and managing complex operations, they are making sure the F&B offerings of corporations remain cutting edge and are of world-class quality.
The culinarians are our chefs who are pushing the boundaries of cuisine. They are inspiring, talented artists whose restaurants are award-winning and have sought-after seats. Their avant-garde menus are the talk of diners across the region, and their restaurant concepts are shaping the region’s eating experience.
Our fourth category, the industry gurus, is full of revered individuals. Passionate about food as well as the region, they have been waving the flag for the Middle East’s culinary scene for years, making sure it is celebrated and talked about across the world. They have shown commitment to the industry and have inspired the next generation, as well as their peers.
Last, but not least, our development leaders are astute business men and women. The huge scale of their operations are making waves in the region, but not only that, they are dedicated to quality and to raising the bar of their corporations’ offerings.
The round-up has been put together by the team of hospitality experts at Caterer Middle East and is subjective. It includes personalities from the restaurant industry, from casual to fine dining, but not QSR.
We hope it will excite, inspire and start debate, and we welcome your thoughts and feedback.
THE TOP 10 RESTAURANT DEVELOPERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
1 Phil Broad, Managing director,
Jumeirah Restaurants
Clocking in at the top of the restaurant development board is Phil Broad – and with his wealth of experience in brand expansion, this ranking comes as no surprise.
During his three years with Jumeirah Group’s esteemed restaurants division, Broad has set up a clutch of innovative concepts across 14 territories worldwide.
The flagship brand is The Noodle House, the first eatery to launch under the Jumeirah Restaurants umbrella; and as Caterer goes to press, Broad has just signed a key licence agreement to open 27 Noodle House restaurants in the UK.
The group also holds the rights to develop Caprice Holding outlets across the MENA region – including big-name brands such as the Rivington Grill, The Ivy and Le Caprice.
Broad is aiming to open the group’s 150th outlet this year – and thanks to a strong background in F&B expansion, the Brit is perfectly placed to drive things forward.
Previously, he spent two years at Starbucks Coffee Company, opening more than 200 stores across the UK.
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