The Hospitality Majlis

On the eighth episode, we welcome we welcome Chef Salam Daqqaq, founder of Sufret Maryam and Bait Maryam, whose cuisine is rooted in memory and shaped by experience.A MENA's 50 Best Award winner, MENA’s Best Female Chef, a Michelin Guide recognized restaurateur, Author, and Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree, she continues to redefine what it means to lead with authenticity. We discuss the legacy, cultural storytelling, and building restaurants that resonates far beyond the plate.

On the seventh episode, we welcome Claudia de Brito - a global hospitality journalist shaping how the world understands dining today.As Gulf Academy Chair for MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants and Middle East Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, she sits at the centre of one of the industry’s most influential rankings.We discuss influence, responsibility, and what defines true excellence in hospitality today.

On the sixth episode of the Hospitality Majlis, we sit down with Grégoire Berger, one of the Middle East’s most acclaimed chefs.Former Executive Chef of Ossiano at Atlantis The Palm, he helped shape one of the region’s most celebrated fine dining experiences. Now, as the founder of Monarch Events UAE and the visionary behind Kraken, he continues to push culinary boundaries.We explore his journey, creative discipline, and vision for the future of gastronomy.

On the fifth episode of the Hospitality Majlis, we sit down with Kevork Deldelian, a hospitality leader who rose through F&B operations to CEO roles across the Middle East before taking the entrepreneurial leap. We talk grit, leadership under pressure, paying salaries from your own balance sheet, family, and what the future of hospitality in Dubai and the region really looks like.This is an honest conversation about earning your stripes, betting on yourself, and building with purpose.

On the fourth episode of The Hospitality Majlis Podcast, we sit down with Faisal Al Nuami, a respected Emirati figure whose distinguished 30-year career has shaped some of the UAE’s most iconic institutions from Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan to his role on the Standing Board of Ajman Tourism.Rooted deeply in Emirati values, Faisal brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective on hospitality, leadership, and nation-building. His journey reflects a rare blend of cultural stewardship and operational excellence, offering powerful insights into the evolution and future of the industry in the region.This is a conversation about purpose, legacy, and what it truly means to build hospitality with meaning.

On the third episode of The Hospitality Majlis Podcast, we sit down with Nazli Sonmez Vallee, the driving inspiration behind some of Dubai’s most celebrated dining concepts — from La Cantine du Faubourg and Mimi Kakushi to Kyma, Lana Lusa, Ninive, Tagomago, Alaya, Sucre, Madeleine et Marcel, Gigi Rigolatto, and Maison Revka — as well as the group’s acclaimed partnerships with Gault & Millau and MICHELIN.As Chief Brand Officer, Nazli is the visionary shaping the emotional and cultural identity of Dubai’s most influential lifestyle and dining destinations.With her refined perspective and global sensibility, Nazli discusses the art of brand longevity, the evolving luxury landscape, and how to sustain cultural relevance in a fast-paced hospitality scene like Dubai.

On the second episode of The Hospitality Majlis Podcast, we were joined by Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim — a visionary Emirati leader who has shaped hospitality and real estate through senior roles at Meraas and Meydan, and is currently co-founder and CEO of Legacy Hotels Holding.With more than 20 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and sustainability, Fahad shares powerful insights into leadership, transformation, entrepreneurship, and his experiences in the hospitality industry in the UAE.

Motivation. Innovation. Education.For the very first episode of The Hospitality Majlis Podcast, we are honored to welcome a true visionary in the hospitality world — Yigit Sezgin, CEO & Founder of Clé & Partners.With over 30 years of global experience in marketing and communication, Yigit has held iconic leadership roles, including Global Chief of Brand & Commercial at Fairmont and Chief Commercial Officer at Accor Group.Today, he leads Clé & Partners, a strategic investment platform unlocking high-value opportunities by uniting world-class expertise and discerning investors — powered by over 250 years of combined experience.