01. Reif Othman

Singaporean

Director of culinary, Raw Galadari Holdings

Reif Othman began gaining international recognition for his culinary talents in 2007 when he was working with One Rochester Group in Singapore as group executive chef for some of the city’s top restaurants and hotels. In 2009, Othman joined the Zuma Dubai team as executive chef and quickly moved up the ladder, finding inspiration in all types of cuisines. Othman steered Zuma Dubai for four consecutive years on the San Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants. “Then it was the biggest achievement for me, the hard work and my dedication to Zuma which paid off. Consistency was the key to this success” adds Othman.

In 2015, Othman moved on from this role as regional executive chef at Zuma for Dubai and Abu Dhabi, for the opportunity to propel his career to new heights as the Director of Culinary at R.A.W. Galadari Holdings & Absolute F&B Facilities Management. Expressing his culinary vision at Play Restaurant & Lounge and private dining concept, The Experience by Reif Othman, the chef takes his guests on a gastronomic journey through his ‘Meditterasian’ cuisine. Othman fuses and balances Eastern and Western techniques with fine ingredients.

In 2018 Othman plans to bring his concepts to Bahrain, Riyadh and Beirut.

NUMBERS GAME...

Number of years working in the Middle East: 08

Number of years working in the F&B industry: 34

Staff: 124

Coming soon: Franchises of the Play concept will open in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Othman is also looking into opportunities in Beirut in 2018.

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