Meet the experts

Elias Chakhtoura, F&B relay for the Middle East & Egypt, Accor Hotels Luxury & Upscale brands

In addition to his wider F&B role, Elias Chakhtoura is also operations manager for Pullman Dubai City Centre. He graduated from the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon and began his career in the catering industry in France in several Michelin-starred restaurants.

Niki Robinson, F&B director, Taj Dubai

Niki Robinson has extensive experience with independent restaurants. She arrived in Dubai in 2012, and prior to her current role, which she began in 2015, was the general manager at the helm of The Ivy Dubai. Prior to moving to Dubai, she ran her own tapas & cocktail bar concept restaurant, Graze Bar & Kitchen, on the south coast of England.

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Mikael Svensson, general manager, Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah

Swedish-born Svensson joined Viceroy Hotel Group from Park Hyatt Canberra. Previously, Svensson held a number of leadership positions with Hyatt in Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei, Osaka, Mumbai, Tokyo, and Hua Hin in Thailand.

Gianluca Sparacino, corporate director food & beverage EMEA, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Following his graduation from the hotel management school Les Roches in Switzerland, Sparacino has had a global experience, commencing with Hyatt in Singapore, and continuing to concentrate on food and beverage with positions in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Taipei.

Marc Gicquel, regional director of F&B Arabian Peninsula, Hilton Worldwide

Gicquel joined Hilton in 2013, having previously worked for Nestlé Professional. Prior to this he had a three-year stint at Jumeirah Group between 2006 and 2009, where he was brand franchise developer and then director of development. The French national has also worked for DisneyLand Resort Paris.

Adam Van Den Bussche, senior director of operations F&B, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International & ritz-carlton

Adam Van Den Bussche has over 25 years’ experience working within and around the restaurant business, working in New York, Sweden, The Middle East and Russia. Before moving to UAE, he headed the restaurant development function for Hilton in Europe; this covered the instigation and leadership of new F&B projects from Ireland to Russia.