Middle East restaurants will be under pressure this weekend due to lack of fresh ingredients, if flights from Europe do not return to normal within the next few days.
Aviation authorities across northern Europe were forced to close their airspace earlier this week, when an ash cloud from Iceland's recent volcanic eruption started shifting across Europe.
The ban subsequently impacted Middle East food imports, and although outlets have successfully handled supply delays so far, if the flight ban goes on much longer chefs and F&B suppliers say it will impact their bottom line.
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Speaking to Caterer Middle East, Antonio Dominicis, Italian chef at Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek, commented: “Naturally we are having some challenges with imports from Europe this week, mainly for daily produce such as herbs, salads, fruits and fresh seafood.
“At the moment, there has been no major impact on our restaurants as there are various solutions, alternative resources and alternative countries to import products from, with minor changes in some recipes.
“However, as these solutions are less cost-effective overall, it would become a bigger issue if these ‘temporary restrictions’ last much longer,” he emphasised.
Paul Lupton, head chef of Rhodes Mezzanine at Grosvenor House Dubai, said he had been “lucky with imports so far”.
“It’s times like these that good relationships with suppliers really count,” he observed.
“All imports arrive in Dubai on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, so on Saturday morning I was able to ring up my supplier with a list of what I needed urgently and all these items came through. So at the moment we’re fine.
“Because the suppliers still have some stock, I don't think we will see the real impact until this Wednesday,” Lupton continued.
“If the planes are still not flying then, and our fresh produce doesn't arrive, then we are going to struggle with a menu, as we’ll be somewhat restricted. That's when my creativity will have to come into play!
“But fingers crossed, our imports will make it in before then.”
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