Karl Georges Najjar, CEO of Café Najjar, shares the key to the success of Café Najjar. How did Najjar transition from being a Lebanese coffee brand to a renowned legacy? Café Najjar started as a small artisanal roaster in Beirut. It has grown into a leading iconic coffee brand. Café Najjar has the biggest factory in the Middle East and North Africa, extending over 15,000 square meters. Today, Café Najjar’s name is a cultural signature of the finest coffee. Furthermore, the brand is proudly enjoyed by coffee lovers living in Lebanon, the region and all over the world. Moreover, the coff ..read more

Mokha 1450 curates bespoke luxury specialty coffee experiences for novices and connoisseurs. In this exclusive interview, Garfield Kerr , the firm’s CEO, elaborates on his journey from corporate lawyer to financial expert now working with coffee and his concept, Mokha 1450.   How does Mokha 1450’s commitment to social responsibility influence its sourcing from women-owned cooperatives? Our founding ethos is based on a CSR platform to support women in coffee. Additionally, most of our coffees are sourced through our direct trade program with women-owned and operated coffee farms and ..read more

Anthony Bedoyan, CEO of Golden Goose Hospitality, explains why robotic coffee machines are causing a worldwide industry stir. The coffee industry has grown rapidly in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down, with a multitude of varieties now featuring on our favorite café menus. Specialty coffee is the latest trend, with these sought-after beverages constantly evolving, as manufacturers innovate to meet rising demand from coffee lovers. Know what’s hot Keeping on top of industry developments can be a challenge, but is key to working out which new trends to tap into. This will ena ..read more

From international brands to homegrown names, and now supported by apps and influencers, the regional coffee scene is booming. Cup in hand, Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, tells us about the latest trends currently captivating coffee lovers across the MENA and beyond. In recent years, Gulf countries have established themselves as the number one destination for global corporate, sport and leisure events. The coffee business, long popular in the US and Europe, has found itself carried along in the momentum of this Middle Eastern takeover. In January ..read more

While restaurants were still reeling from the pandemic in 2021, this year has witnessed fresh flavors and renewed energy on the food scene. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema consulting services, explores several key trends that are shaping the future of food and beverage. It’s official: restaurants, cafes and bars have reopened and are experimenting with a broad range of concepts. Some are new, while others are not. Many of them have been tried and tested yet haven’t aged a day. This can be seen in the case of several organic venues that focus on traceable and locally gr ..read more

Forming an important part of the F&B industry, the coffee segment needs no introduction. And with new concepts and products arriving in the market thick and fast, customers are increasingly looking for quality and traceability. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema consulting services, identifies the differentiating factors of a successful coffee shop. Demand for specialty coffee is no longer limited to a small minority. A greater percentage of coffee enthusiasts are drinking specialty blends in coffee shops around the world, and brands are starting to put a face and nam ..read more

To find out what’s new in coffee, we spoke to four industry professionals who brought us up to date on all things related to this most popular of brews, from machines and market trends to the true meaning of the “coffee sommelier” role. Role of a coffee sommelier Most sommeliers use the cupping process to taste, evaluate and score their coffees: in some cases, as many as hundreds a day! Sommeliers may not come face to face with customers every day, but they are still there to help serve, sell and communicate the message of coffee, which has traveled across the world. What makes a great ba ..read more

As coffee continues to be the drink of choice for many, we sat with Roy Daniel, managing partner of Barista Espresso, to uncover the coffee industry’s biggest challenges, customers’ needs and how Barista Espresso is catering to them.   How were you able to position Barista Espresso as a one-stop shopping experience?We strive to provide our customers with the best coffee possible and always work toward exceeding their expectations. We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shopping experience, which we are doing by investing in our factory to broaden our product range. Today, coffee en ..read more

Taking place from November 20 to December 19 in Qatar, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 promises to be a tournament like no other.  As the countdown begins to the start of this global sporting event, we take a look at the names tapping into the forecasted demand for renowned F&B outlets. F&B brands that opened branches in Qatar in July: Em Sherif Café, the all-day dining luxury café concept by Lebanese restaurateur Mireille Hayek, opened a branch at Millennium Hotel in Al Sadd, Doha. ADRIFT Anda, an Italian concept by chef David Myers, opened its doors at Le Royal Méridi ..read more

Al Qana, Abu Dhabi’s coastline waterfront walkway, has announced the addition of over 14 new restaurants. The vibrant place is set to become the new hub for social dining, arts and culture and entertainment in Abu Dhabi. Headlining the new additions is Rooftop Garden Lounge at The Bridge Lifestyle Hub. The 100-percent organic concept provides views which overlook Al Qana’s city lights and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The atmosphere is accompanied by Rooftop Garden Lounge’s selection of dishes, which can be shared and paired with an assortment of artisanal mocktails. Another new concep ..read more