Restaurateur of the Year award was won by Fay and Alex Economides, managing director and executive managing director, M Management Company. Restaurateur of the Year award was won by Fay and Alex Economides, managing director and executive managing director, M Management Company.

At last night's Caterer Middle East Awards, the coveted Restaurateur of the Year award was won by Fay and Alex Economides, managing director and executive managing director, M Management Company.

The brother and sister duo were presented with the trophy on stage by David Sprakes, design and production manager from category sponsor A. Ronai. 

The restaurateurs started their career managing and operating a hotel where they developed concepts within it before they branched out to open their own hospitality and F&B management firm.

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M Management Company launched with two new venues, Mythos Kouzina & Grill and  Nola Eatery & Social House, that impressed the judges with their impact on the F&B scene in Dubai.

Speaking to Caterer Middle East after collecting their award, said the success of these two outlets is due to a combination of factors.

"We saw a gap in the market for authentic concepts. Dubai has gotten tired of the polished, modern type of concepts. We wanted to bring something more real," Alex comments. 

The process of launching both has not been without its challenges, the pair shared, with Alex revealing: “The whole process of getting the venues set up from the logistical rather than operational part was the most difficult part. There was a lot of energy put into to developing the concepts and maiing sure the design reflects what we wanted the concepts to be like, which was a lot of effort – but this was the fun part.”

The restaurateurs are currently working on other new concepts to launch, with a focus on growing Greek food's presence in the region, and Alex confirms: “We are working on something that will probably be open by the end of the year, and we will be announcing it soon.”

Asked about how the siblings manage their working relationship, Fay says: “We have been working together for 11 years and while Alex is my little brother, he’s the boss, so his decision is always final – but he listens a lot to my opinions and we don’t have a lot of disagreements.” 

Highly commended in this category was awarded to Amin Kadrie, chairman & CEO Skelmore Group.

Other nominees in the shortlist included: Salem Bin Dasmal, founder & CEO, Silver Spoon Investments; Sacha Daniel, operations director, Solutions Leisure Group; Mohammad Najjar, F&B manager, Kempinski Hotel Ajman; and Mohamad Zeitoun, founder & managing partner, Maki Restaurant, Kuwait City

Sponsors of the Caterer Middle East Awards include: category sponsors Figjam, SIAL Middle East, TSSC, Ronai, MMI, Aramtec, Al Rawdah, Sample Me, Bragard, Tequila Patron; our water sponsor Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, and our coffee sponsor Dallmayr.

The awards took place at Conrad Dubai and full coverage will be in the July issue of Caterer Middle East.