Outlet 360: Aceite, Melia Doha

SUPPLIERS: Comec is the distributor, and the hotel also works with Rationali ovens and Modular Kitchens.

Back of House

As part of the Spanish Meliá brand, Aceite highlights the culinary influence of the Middle East to Spain. As the Arabic presence over large parts of ancient Spain introduced the use of olive oil, ‘aceite’, this ingredient is used in nearly every dish on this restaurant’s menu.

In addition, the venue has an agreement to bring over authentic Jaen olive oil from Spain to add to the authenticity of the cuisine.

Highlights from the menu include lobster and octopus salad, and garbanzo beans with king prawns. Other Spanish favourites such as grilled lamb chops and codfish with homemade tomato and mint sauce are available. Aceite’s bar also offers a selection of tapas and sangria.

Story continues below

The concept took approximately a year to be realised, with the executive sous chef creating the menu, with previous experience at Meliá Phoenix in Madrid. Meliá Doha executive chef Carlos Cabrera Gonzalez reiterates that the concept is tapas, with typical Spanish dishes such as tortilla espanol, patatasbravas, gambas al olio.

Cedro adds that there are just two Spanish back–of–house members, but they train the local staff, with the Spanish sous chef always in the kitchen assisting the team.

Speaking about procurement and imports, Gonzalez says the restaurant imports ingredients like oil, olives, pimiento de pardon, carnes, and anchovies. Cedro adds: “Ingredients are a big challenge — for the food, for the chinaware, for the crockery. It’s challenging in Doha because we need products with labels in Arabic, and need a certificate of origin for everything.”

More often than not, the restaurant looks to Spanish suppliers in Dubai, and Cedro says he has a relationship with one such supplier to have items distributed in Doha. He also cited collaboration with other Spanish restaurants in Doha, such as El Faro at Marsa Malaz Kempinski The Pearl Doha, to bring in Spanish products together.

Gonzalez adds that he is confident of capturing the local market, and says that because of the Arab influence in Spain, many Arabs recognise elements or similarities in Spanish dishes when compared to their own. “The Paella for example! This dish was originally Arab. Paella in Arabic means leftovers.”