GUESS opens its new white concept store in Gulf Mall Doha to debut brand new interiors and the latest collection for men, women and kids. The store’s fresh new aesthetic has been created by GUESS in association with Italian architectural firm, Giraldo Associati. The opening was marked with an in-store event to preview the new fall winter collection. An abundance of style was evident in the debut season offerings which were raved about by the visitors.

Denim plays a prominent role in this season’s women’s collection with GUESS’ two new revolutionary styles, the Push Up and Shaper, making their first debut in a variety of vintage inspired washes. Several fashion forward silhouettes are highlighted within the delivery including structured shift dresses, maxi cardigans, sweater ponchos with leather trimming and belted details as well as a vast array of cozy cable knit sweaters for Fall’s cooler temperatures. For the GUESS Guy, the newest light-to-medium washes and jogger styles offered in the Flex denim category make for a perfect pairing with a complete selection of basic and bold graphic tees. Quilted bomber jackets, all over distressed faux-shearling coats and hooded puffers are the key outerwear styles of the season.

The store’s new clean white color interiors and bright translucent lights elevates the shopping experience, whilst focusing on the new clothing and accessory trends throughout the store setting. The state-of-art lightning with high-tech light boxes, ceiling spotlights, PVC chandeliers and luminex hanging rails transform the store into a striking contemporary space. Troy Zunckel, General Manager, GUESS Middle East said, “We are pleased to announce that our much awaited Doha GUESS store is now open for the shoppers. Designed with customers in mind, the makeover has made the store more inviting, inspiring and convenient to shop with fantastic looking clothing and accessory displays.

The new retail format responds to the demands of young people who are interested in and highly aware of new trends. It’s a really exciting concept and we’d love as much feedback as possible from our customers” he added. The store also features GUESS’s new collection of sophisticated handbags and eyewear designs for the fall season. The eyewear collection offers several fashion-forward sunglasses including classic aviators, on-trend reflective lenses and an array of feminine cat-eye frames.

The store proudly celebrates GUESS’ heritage with an array of eye-catching campaign images, displayed throughout the space. Glossy white fixtures juxtaposed alongside rough wood and iron tables compliment the store’s appeal while patchwork cowhides and ottoman seats in the geometrical shapes add a modern feel. The accessories are displayed in sleek cabinets positioned beside tapered plexi-glass lamps. The gray cement flooring harmonizes well with the unique design elements incorporated into the disposition of the store.

Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, the 5 star luxury hotel in Doha, announces the appointments of Chef Angelos-Theodoros Kallinteris and Chef Alessandro Colageo as the two new Chefs de Cuisine.

Chef Kallinteris and Chef Colageo bring more than 15 years of international experience to their role, having worked with some of the highly regarded hotel chains, lends an added dimension of interest and acclaim to Sheraton’s iconic hotel. In his role as Chef de Cuisine, Chef Kallinteris will bring new culinary ideas by incorporating Greek influences and local ingredients in the hotel’s seafood Mediterranean food and beverage concept.  Meanwhile, Chef Colageo as Chef de Cuisine cooking style is defined by assimilating flavours, freshest and finest quality ingredients to fuse Italian techniques that preserves texture of the dishes.

Nick Heath, Complex General Manager, said, “We are delighted to welcome both Chef Angelos-Theodoros Kallinteris and Chef Alessandro Colageo to the Sheraton Doha family. Chef Kallinteris brings vast experience in exquisite fine dining representing the best from Europe and the Middle East. We are confident that his creativity, enthusiasm and expertise will add significant value to the culinary excellence of our iconic hotel specifically to the all-new seafood restaurant AlMaskar.” He continued, “Chef Colageo has worked at some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts; his culinary talents, experience and passion make him a great leader for our renowned Italian restaurant La Veranda.” 

Chef Kallinteris said, “I am excited about my new association with the Sheraton Doha and look forward to working with the team on further strengthening the popularity of this iconic restaurant. Through my experiences I have become well versed in a variety of food techniques, and I look forward to bringing what I've learnt to the all-new seafood AlMaskar restaurant." “Food is not only my career, it’s my passion,” said Chef Colageo. “I look forward to collaborating with the team to take the Italian cuisine at La Veranda to new heights.”  He added, “I use the best local ingredients and combine those with the Italian products, allowing me to retain the true Italian flavor in my cooking."

Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel invites guests to visit the hotel and experience the best of both worlds; authentic Italian flavours at La Veranda and contemporary seafood cuisine at AlMaskar.

W Doha Hotel & Residences, the first luxury lifestyle hotel in Qatar, is proud to announce that it will be introducing an incredible new offer for two of its well-loved accommodations. The W Doha opens the chance to book a one-year contract in a Warm or Witty Residence, before the 15^th of December 2015, to get the 13^th month for Free.

The Warm Residences are an expansive one-bedroom accommodation, fully furnished in a custom design. With over 73.5 m² of space which includes a bedroom, a bathroom and a living room (with a fully integrated kitchen), as well as a 24h service, participants can get on with the business of enjoying life and leave the little details to the well trained staff at the W Doha. With an array of incredible sites and hotspots dotted around the W Doha, one is never far away from the Warm Residence.

The Witty Residences on the other hand, allow for incredible views in a spacious living area, with over 107 m² of specially designed living aesthetic. The Witty Residences allow incredible bedside views, and participants are encouraged to relax in the king-sized bed and enjoy the sprawling views of the ocean, through the floor-to-ceiling clear glass windows present in these luxurious apartments. After a while, it is easy to believe that the room is floating in the clear skies of Doha's West Bay.

Both residences are fully equipped with an integrated kitchen and a sublime spa-inspired bathroom with vanity tops, which is fitted with lavish baths and a separate rain-forest shower. Residents will also have access to the 24-hour Whatever/Whenever® service, an exclusive private entrance with reception, preferred access to restaurants, lounges and Bliss® spa, the Wheels® valet parking service, state of the art FIT gym and pool, a grocery shopping service, as well as wireless and wired internet access.

For reservations or enquiries, or to take part in this fantastic promotion, please contact 00974 4453 5005 sales.wdoha@whotels.com www.whoteldoha.com/residences

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, the luxury brand’s first resort in Qatar, developed by Al Rayyan Hospitality, displayed the largest pink ribbon in Qatar on the helipad located at the island with the length of 110 meters. The initiative highlights the resorts commitment to promoting the health and well-being of the local community and is in support of the international breast cancer awareness month.

To commemorate this special event, the resort invited members of the local media and their families along with team members and in-house guests to attend the launch of the ribbon and help move it to its new sea-shore location from the helipad. The island management also organised a host of fun activities to entertain the assembled guests including recreational games for children on the beach, face painting and other events that made for a fun afternoon. 

Other key features launched to celebrate the special event include a pink buggy driving around the island, rose petals in the shape of the ribbon on the beds for the turn down service, pink themed dishes at the various dining outlets and pink ribbons for staff and associates team members. Additionally, guests visiting the resort are invited to participate in a social media competition to win one night stay in a premier room for two people by simply uploading their pictures of the pink ribbon using the hashtag #pinkdoha on the resorts social media platforms:

• Instagram: @bananaislandresort
• Twitter : @bananaislandDOH
• Facebook : Banana Island Resort Doha By Anantara

Only a 25 minute boat ride from Al Shyoukh Terminal on the Corniche in Doha’s downtown area, non-resident guests are welcome to experience selected restaurants at the resort. Bookings must be made in advance. Purchased credit will be used towards guests’ dining experience and as well includes transfer by luxury ferry to and from the island.

For more information or to make a reservation, call +974 4040 5050, or doha.anantara.com. Find out more about the resort by liking Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BananaIslandResortDohabyAnantara

Faithful+Gould was named Commercial Advisors of the Year at the inaugural Construction Innovation Awards 2015 at the Ritz Carlton held on the 18^th of October in Doha; a high profile gala event celebrating the achievements of the Qatar construction industry at a time when the sector is witnessing an increase in activity with the project pipeline estimated at $270 billion.

In attendance was the Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber, Mr Mohammed Bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari, who addressed the attendees in his opening speech and during which he commended the people and projects contributing to the innovation in the Qatari construction sector. Coming off the heels of their recent win for Consultant of the Year at the Construction Week Awards, and seeing off challenges from other consultancy firms nominated at the prestigious awards programme; an independent panel of judges recognised the significant contributions Faithful+Gould has made during the past 12 months to Qatar’s built environment.

The award was received by Campbell Gray, Middle East Managing Director, who said: “It is an honour to be recognized as Commercial Advisors of the Year and to receive this distinction. The award reflects the tireless efforts and hard work of all our team members making this past year a transformational period for Faithful+Gould, one in which we grew by 30% in staff numbers.We beat off some tough competition and it is all down to the professional and dedicated nature of the team that we came out on top. We are honoured to be a part of the Qatari construction landscape and to receive the support that we do from our clients and partners.” The award confirms Faithful+Gould's position as one of the top consultants and advisors in the industry in Qatar and in the region.

As part of the company’s efforts to continue contributing to the industry on all fronts, the leading global integrated project and programme management consultant, Faithful+Gould, has been delivering an ongoing series of continued professional development seminars in Qatar since 2012 where it has been actively participating in providing much needed knowledge and professional development for the past three years. Faithful+Gould hosted their first CPD event in Doha, in association with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) with the event continuing to gain traction and attracting 200 attendees in its most recent edition earlier this month. Presentations given by Faithful+Gould’s in-house experts continue to position the UK firm as industry thought leaders.

Faithful+Gould has a reputation for successfully delivering high profile projects in the lifestyle sector in the Middle East. Completed projects include Al Zahia Mall in Sharjah, the Ritz Carlton Dubai, Yas Island Marina Hotel, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Beach Resort Dubai, Kempinski Hotels & Residences in Oman, KSA and Muscat and Qurum City Centre redevelopments in Oman and Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai. Current high profile lifestyle projects include Doha Oasis Qatar, The Royal Atlantis in Dubai, Reem Mall Abu Dhabi and City Walk Development Dubai.

Chestertons, the international property agency established in 1805, will be unveiling ‘Wardian’, a project by London’s leading developer Eco World Ballymore. The first residents are expected to move in during 2019. The prices for the suites range - from US$613,000; 1 bedroom apartment - from US$815,000; and 2 bedroom apartment - from US$1.07 million. Chestertons will unveil further details on this project from 26^th to 28^th October at ‘Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel for Qatari investors.

“Wardian is an extraordinary opportunity to invest into one of the most visionary and exciting projects London has seen in recent years – blending modern architecture with picturesque landscaping, it sets a new standard for high-rise living in the heart of London’s new metropolis. Alongside the apartments, Wardian London will contain a vibrant rooftop observatory bar, with a vision for London’s highest botanical gin garden; two restaurants; 24 hour concierge; and a 25 metre open air swimming pool, set within a flourishing tropical environment. The exceptional facilities combined with the best design and in arguably the best location in London’s new financial centre make this scheme one of the most attractive developments we’ve showcased to the Qatar market.

Eco World Ballymore is one of the visionary developers that will continue to manage the development after completion so residents will also benefit from their ongoing exceptional service levels,” said Samuel Warren, Global Director of International Residential Developments, Chestertons. The development, offers 624 new private suites and apartments contained in two high-end residential towers. Overlooking South Dock with commanding views of Canary Wharf, each apartment offers an extensive private ‘sky garden’, up to 37.2 square metres in size. Wardian London will provide a tranquil oasis within the heart of London’s most lively business district, promoting a sense of wellbeing and creating a serene escape within the city.

Taking its name from the traditional Wardian Cases - first created in East London to transport botanical plants - Wardian London offers a sense of escape and tranquility, whilst remaining connected to thriving Canary Wharf. Used as the first carriers to transport tea plants to India, these terrarium boxes were fundamental in the British Empire’s expansion into East India, revolutionising East London as the banking and commerce hub that we know today.

Head of Sales for Chestertons Middle East, Faisal Khokhar, stated, “Ballymore has extensive experience in London, having completed a number of property developments near to Canary Wharf including Providence Tower, New Providence Wharf, London City Island, Royal Wharf and Pan Peninsula. Over the past 25 years Ballymore has played a crucial role in the residential contribution to the area surrounding Canary Wharf which is now considered the pre-eminent financial centre of Europe and a world-leading business centre. As London’s focus shifts east the opportunities in this area are set to grow. For investor landlords and residents alike, this opportunity is not to be missed.”

Fusing grand architecture with botanical beauty, Wardian London is pioneering the concept of blending indoor and outdoor living in London, as seen in far flung destinations such as Brisbane and Singapore. Atriums located throughout Wardian London’s two towers exemplify this by creating a tropical paradise filled with a multitude of plants and flowers from around the globe, offering residents a secret escape. The project aims to integrate indoor and outdoor living with a landscaped public plaza featuring more than 100 species of plants and flowers to stay in harmony with nature.

“The project has unparalleled transport connections. Reliable and frequent London-wide transport links - Jubilee Line from Canary Wharf and DLR from Heron Quay or South Quay - complemented by flights from the nearby London City Airport across the continent. It is a 3 minute walk from Canary Wharf; Bond Street is accessible in 20 minutes and Stratford in 15 minutes. Connectivity is soon to be further enhanced with the arrival of Crossrail at Canary Wharf,” added Faisal. Meeting the growing demand for residential property in East London, Wardian London reinforces the Docklands area as the new hub for East London. Just a three minute walk from Canary Wharf, Wardian London will comprise of suites, apartments and penthouses in two luxurious tall buildings rising to 50 and 55 storeys.

“London remains a key destination for Qatari and GCC property investors. The percentage of investors from this region buying London based properties has significantly grown each year. On the other hand population growth in the capital continues to outstrip supply and these conditions are set to continue. In addition to the attractive location, London offers a safe and tolerant multi-cultural environment, transparent legal systems, coupled with a good choice of both lifestyle and investment properties. London stands out as a truly global capital and it remains a completely different market from any other region in the UK in terms of scale, pricing and future growth prospects,” concluded Samuel.

Chestertons aims to cater to Qatari investors who wish to expand their regional or international real estate portfolios, or both, and individuals who simply wish to buy first or second homes in UAE or abroad. For further details about this visionary project or to discuss other London property please contact the team on 00971 56 2418064 or email enquiry.international@chestertons.com.

Al Meera Consumer Goods Company (Q.S.C.) is proud to announce its support of the Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships, which is hosted from the 21^st until the 31^st of October at the Qatar Sports Club.

The largest para-sport event ever to come to the Middle East is seeing 1,300 para-athletes from 100 countries competing to be the best in the world and vie for qualifying spots to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. All proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to charity. Al Meera is extending its support by providing fresh fruits throughout the competition to athletes and organizers. The supermarket chain also provides its customers with free ticket vouchers to the IPC Athletics World Championships at its Thakhira, Mansoura, Legtaifiya, Hazm Markhiya, Nuaija branches in addition to Géant hypermarket in Hyatt Plaza mall with terms and conditions applied.

Free vouchers are also given away to Al Meera fans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tousands of vouchers are to be given away throughout the days of the event, leading up to the event, which are then exchanged for tickets at the Qatar Sports Club. Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Qahtani, Deputy CEO of Al Meera, said: “Al Meera continuously seeks to support national initiatives that benefit the people of Qatar, especially those that support and promote healthy living, such as nutrition and sports, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

“We are very happy to witness such a massive turnout, which indicates how much people look forward to such activities and value the importance of sports, which is an important aspect to both Al Meera and Qatar. We look forward to supporting similar events in the future,” he added.

The Doha 2015 LOC has released a series of inspirational films to raise awareness of para-sport and to highlight the incredible stories of some the para-athletes that will be competing in the event. Entitled “My Incredible Story”, the films tell the stories of triumph over adversity and so far have chronicled athletes Terezinha Guilhermina, Jarryd Wallace, Giusy Versace, Thuraya Al Zaabi and the “youth ambassador” Ghanim Al Muftah. 

British Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay returns to the St. Regis Doha, the finest address in Qatar, for an exclusive evening with his valued diners. Food connoisseurs gathered at Gordon Ramsay Mediterranean and Opal by Gordon Ramsay restaurants to sample the Michelin Star Chef’s various gastronomic delights and to meet the master in person.

The St. Regis Doha established a successful partnership with the Gordon Ramsay brand in the year 2012, where Opal by Gordon Ramsay and Gordon Ramsay Mediterranean were added to the list of fine restaurants located at the St. Regis Doha. Chef Gordon Ramsay cooked for his guests a delicious meal, during the private dinner. Guests were treated to an unforgettable dining experience that was filled with an enticing atmosphere.

Commenting on the Chef’s visit to Qatar, Tareq Derbas, General Manager, The St. Regis Doha said: “We are delighted to welcome back Chef Ramsay for his yearly visit to Qatar. The Gordon Ramsay brand continues to grow in popularity among locals and expatriates residing in Qatar. The success of Opal by Gordon Ramsay and Gordon Ramsay Mediterranean stems from the restaurants’ evolving culinary offerings and the unwavering service excellence that they continue to provide to our clienteles.”

“The St. Regis Doha is proud to be the only hotel that works with the Gordon Ramsay brand in Qatar. The Gordon Ramsay restaurants perfectly complement our award-winning outlets that offer the finest cuisine in a lively atmosphere.” Added Derbas.

Opal by Gordon Ramsay offers culinary delights inspired by classic Gordon Ramsay dishes. Serving classic, traditional British style food in a warm bistro-style environment. Gordon Ramsay Mediterranean is the signature restaurant, experience in an intimate setting that was inspired by the features of fresh ingredients incorporated into exquisite dishes.  For more information about the St. Regis Doha, or to make a reservation, please contact the hotel directly at telephone (974) 4446 0105, via email at diningreservations.doha@stregis.com

FNAC, the leading French retail store at Lagoona Mall, are one of the sponsors of the Katara European Jazz Festival to be held from October 28 to November 1, 2015 at Katara Cultural Village in Doha. Launched in 2014, the Katara European Jazz Festival is organised jointly by the seven embassies of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland in Doha in partnership with Katara Cultural Village, and supported by Qatar Airways, Qatar Music Academy and FNAC.

In addition to sponsoring the Festival, FNAC is also sponsoring the French night concert on Oct. 29 at 8 pm, represented by renowned musician Ibrahim Maalouf, with the support of the French embassy. FNAC will also host the famous jazz player at the store in Lagoona Mall on Oct. 29 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm for a meet-and-greet with fans and an album-signing event of his latest compilation, Red & Black Light. On this occasion, his Excellency French Ambassador to Qatar, Mr. Eric Chevallier said: “We are pleased to bring Ibrahim Maalouf to Qatar to be part of The Katara European Jazz Festival. Maalouf is a well-recognised musician whose music is appreciated across the world. The French embassy is pleased to contribute to this festival and present to the Qatar audience one of its greatest musicians.”

Ibrahim Maalouf said: “It is an honor to present my music here in Qatar at this fascinating venue. I hope my music will inspire the audience and I wish them a great night. This new project is very exciting for me as I will be introducing my new album, Red & Black Light, for the very first time, worldwide. The concert will be in collaboration with three extraordinary Belgian musicians who will be helping me put together my compositions inspired by the renowned Egyptian diva, Oum Kalthoum.

“The musical mood is a mix of the inspiring Arab influence of her voice, the strength of the electronic technology we are lucky to use now and the freedom that jazz offers. All these energies gathered into one set, peaceful but yet full of power and trance,” he added. Red & Black Light comprises Maalouf’s own compositions, plus one song by Beyoncé. The album is transparent, a record for people to dance to, or even sing, but which still has many unsuspected themes, harmonies and rhythms superimposed over each other.

Its true essence can be revealed only through a mathematical reading of the album. Recorded in France in Ivry-sur-Seine with Eric Legnini (keyboards), François Delporte (guitar) and Stephane Galland (drums), the album is above all a desire to represent the importance and necessarily complex nature of things and persons that are essential. The Katara European Jazz Festival brings to the Qatari audience some of the finest proponents of European Jazz music – a highly regarded artform that has been captivating global audiences since the early 20th century.

Each embassy hosts one jazz group representing its country during the festival, which features events by the Jazz musicians as well as workshops at Qatar Music Academy for local music students.  There will be five evenings to include: Falb Fiction from Austria (on October 28, 7pm), Matthias Schriefl and Shreefpunk Reloaded from Germany (Oct. 28, 9 pm), Red & Black Light - Ibrahim Maalouf from France (Oct. 29, 8 pm), Francesco Bearzatti Tinissima 4et from Italy (Oct. 30, 8 pm), The Albin Brun Alpin Ensemble from Switzerland (Oct. 31, 7 pm), Biel Ballester Trio from Spain (Oct. 31, 9 pm) and Michiel Borstlap from The Netherlands (November 1, 8 pm).

A non-profit initiative, the Katara European Jazz Festival aims to enhance the fascinating Katara atmosphere with inspiring contemporary jazz live performances.

Mall of Qatar, poised to be the country’s largest leisure, entertainment and shopping complex, has inked a deal with Salam Studio &Stores, one of the leading fashion and lifestyle stores in GCC. The signing ceremony was held at the site office of the Mall of Qatar in the presence of Mr. Shem Krey, Managing Director, Mall of Qatar, Mr. Rony Mourani, General Manager of the Mall of Qatar, and Mr. AbdulSalam Abu-Issa, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Salam International Investment Ltd.

Salam Studio &Stores, established in 1952, is a leading retailer offering the latest in Luxury Designer Apparel, Fashion Brands, Perfumes, Photography Equipment, Home ware, Jewelry, and Accessories. Salam's numerous brands range from the exclusive to the innovative and the regional giant is well known for its penchant for offering upscale shopping experiences. Rony Mourani, GM of Mall of Qatar, said, “We have always promised to bring the very best exclusive brands to Qatar. Salam Studio & Stores offers the ultimate shopping experience for luxury shoppers with high standards of service and product offering."

Under the deal, Salam Studio & Stores will lease three floors consisting of over eight thousand square meters to showcase a wide array of leading international brands that will join Mall of Qatar’s select merchandise mix. Salam Stores also features a contemporary Café and a lounge area, dedicated children's department and the assistance of personal shoppers to complete the ultimate retail therapy experience which will set the mood for sheer comfort and indulgence.

“Salam Studio &Stores is glad to be entering into this agreement with the Mall of Qatar. It will be a pleasure for us to unite our strengths and the legacy of the Salam Stores brand in the region with the distinctiveness and aspirations of the Mall of Qatar. With the opening of this store at Mall of Qatar, we look forward to bringing a wide variety of haute couture and luxury lines under one roof. Our focus overall is to contribute through this agreement, to the class and quality of Qatar’s upscale retail experiences," said Mr. AbdulSalam Abu-Issa, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Salam International Investment Ltd.”

Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, the 5 star iconic hotel in Doha, hosted a Zumba ‘Party in Pink™’ event on Tuesday 20^th October, 2015. This initiative was organised by the Zumba Fitness Doha Qatar Team, sponsored by International Bank of Qatar (ibq) and supported by Digitek. The goal of ‘Party in Pink™’ charity campaign was to connect Zumba® instructors and local community to help raise awareness of breast cancer and to depict life, fun and energy through Zumbathon.

The Zumbathon was coordinated by a team of Zumba experts led by Imad Askar, Zumba® instructor, where Sheraton Doha hosted approximately 200 women who danced because they care. Full proceeds from the event were donated to Qatar Cancer Society, a humanitarian organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of cancer. The event reiterates Sheraton Doha's commitment to support health and fitness initiatives that aim to transform Qatar into a healthy society. The special event was dedicated to learning, sharing and communicating with women to reinforce the message that breast cancer is curable, if detected and diagnosed early, and highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle for overall well-being.

Oryx Rotana, a five-star luxury business hotel in Doha, bagged two medals from the recently concluded Salon Culinaire competition held during Hospitality Qatar 2015. The accolade which honours culinary skills, creativity and techniques, fosters competition and highlights the best of the best within the culinary industry in Qatar.

Oryx Rotana Doha’s very own Patrik Havlicek, specialty chef from Choices, won the silver medal in Signature Dish competition, while RaedSilme, Oriental specialty chef, won the bronze medal in the Arabic Mezza competition.

On this occasion Lana Jwainat, Cluster Director of Marketing and Communications at City Centre Rotana Doha & Oryx Rotana Doha said, “We were well represented in the competition and have been successful in securing recognition for our culinary creations. Although the live culinary event posed a challenge for our chefs, we are delighted to receive two medals this year under the Signature Dish and Arabic Mezza category. This reflects the professionalism of our chefs at Oryx Rotana, and we are sure of earning more medals at the next year’s tournament.”

“Our participation in such competitions reflects our commitment to provide our chefs with the right as well as top of the line equipment for the development of their professional endeavour. This will also motivate them to createsignaturedishes for our customers and upgrade to a new level of luxury service for our esteemed guests,” she added.

Salon Culinaire is the signature culinary showcase of Hospitality Qatar– which attracts the country’s leading chefs to compete across 16 categories while being evaluated by an international judging panel comprising hospitality and culinary experts.Itoffersa unique opportunity for chefs to showcase their skills and explore new partnerships in a fun-filled action packed setting with food suppliers and catering companies. From live cooking and carving to aesthetically beautiful showpieces and static displays, the chefs showcased their talent – all in front of a live audience.

The HQ Show 2015 is the only global exhibition in Qatar featuring all aspects of the Hotel, Restaurant and Cafe food, supply, design and investment Industry.HQ 2015 is also one of the rare exhibitions in the Middle East to provide global solutions to the entire life cycle of a hotel, restaurant, café or retail shop.

Astor Grill, the renowned New York Steak house, located at the St. Regis Doha, the finest address in Doha, is celebrating truffle season throughout the months of October and November. The award-winning restaurant will be incorporating the “diamonds of the kitchen” in to three of its exquisite dishes showcasing the precious and rare delicacy.

The exclusive truffle menu features a black truffle risotto with organic poach egg and wild mushroom foam, a caramelized onion crusted braised rib served with herbal spinach, potato mousseline and truffle jus, and a stuffed poached pear with black truffle served with truffle ice cream. The black jewels used in these dishes originates from Perigord, a natural region in France renowned globally renowned in the culinary industry of its for its fine truffle offerings. Cultivating this fine ingredient is not an easy process, as it is proven that truffle is difficult to attain.

Chef Jean-Luc Morcellet, Executive Chef at the St. Regis Doha, commented, “The St. Regis Doha is recognized for its diverse and innovative dining offerings. This is our first year to launch a Truffle themed menu, and we are delighted with the positive feedback that we are receiving from our diners, who have shown great appreciation towards this flavor-rich ingredient.” Astor Grill is notorious for its fine grills, exceptional flavors and diversity of dishes. The renowned restaurant has been awarded with a number of accolades in the recent years, which include: Time Out Doha “Highly Commended Best Contemporary European Restaurant” and Time Out Doha “Shortlisted Best Steakhouse”.

For more information about The St. Regis Doha, or to make a reservation, please contact the hotel directly at telephone (974) 4446 0105, via email at diningreservations.doha@stregis.com

PwC hosted its latest Fraud Forum this week giving Qatari business leaders a valuable opportunity to meet with local and regional experts on the subject of managing conflicts of interest. PwC’s own Global Economic Crime Survey identified that, of all organisations surveyed in the Middle East, 35% had suffered from an incident of bribery or corruption and 33% had suffered from fraud in their procurement processes.

Whilst it is notoriously difficult to draw a clear link between conflicts of interest and these frauds, the experts and attendees acknowledged the real risk of loss due to unmanaged or undisclosed conflicts of interest between their own staff and other parties, such as suppliers. Attendees heard about the latest trends in conflict detection and management and discussed issues such as how to build effective systems of internal control and disclosure. In addition attendees heard from PwC experts on the variety of sophisticated tools available to them to identify potential conflicts.

James Tebbs, Leader of PwC Qatar’s Forensic Services Team said:"The existence of a conflict of interest is not necessarily a problem - it does not automatically equate to 'fraud'. What matters is being able to identify and manage the potential conflict so that the individual's interests are not put above those of the organisation."

Courtenay Smith, PwC ME Corporate Intelligence Leader added:"Conflicts of interest can be a difficult threat to identify. Taking a layered, proactive, approach is the best means of mitigating and managing the risks associated with conflicts. It is essential to instil a strong cultural awareness through training, policies and procedures; and to couple this with specialised tools designed to monitor for potential conflicts. With these in place, organisations are well positioned to determine what action may need to be taken to prevent fraud from occurring."

The PwC Fraud Forum is a platform through which attendees can share knowledge and participate in research to help prevent, detect and investigate fraud and economic crime in all its forms. Participants receive technical updates on fraud prevention and detection issues as well as having the opportunity to meet periodically with other PwC Fraud Forum members to exchange knowledge, ideas and experiences. Attendees at the event included C-suite executives, compliance professionals, key individuals from Qatar’s leading organisations and further specialists from PwC’s Financial Crime practice. 

Qatar British Business Forum (QBBF) was pleased to host the British professional boxer Amir Khan on Sunday at the recently opened Nozomi restaurant, at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl - Doha.

The two-time former world champion boxer was visiting Doha for the AIBA World Boxing Championships. The evening event saw a wide selection of Qatar’s business community come together for a unique evening of Britishness with one of the UK’s most celebrated sports personalities. Mr Khan gave an inspirational speech calling for parents to be role models for their children. Speaking as a new parent himself, he said: “You can achieve anything if you work hard at it. As parents, we need to support our children to get into sport and stay dedicated and disciplined.”

Mr Khan also spoke about the many benefits of sport and athleticism: “Boxing changed my life. The reason I started boxing was because I was hyperactive and constantly misbehaving. I was constantly fighting – it was always in me. It taught me discipline, to behave. I was also a chubby kid and it helped my weight. My teachers couldn’t believe the change in me after a year – I was so well behaved. That’s why I have so much respect for boxing.” Mr Khan also spoke about his charity work. Not only is he an ambassador for OXFAM and The Prince’s Trust, as well as his own charity, the Amir Khan Foundation.

QBBF Chairman and CEO of the Rumaillah Group, Emad Turkman MBE,said, “It was with great pleasure we welcomed two-time boxing world champion Amir Khan as part of QBBF’s special events. This event brought many members from a variety of professions together and is a demonstration of how so many British brands, such as Nozomi and people like Amir, are flourishing in Qatar.” 

For more information on QBBF, please visit www.qbbf.com

Crunch Doha, Qatar’s first transformation company, Sponsored, giving away Detox plans & training programs for 3 weeks to get the delegates in shape at the Employee Health and Wellbeing Conference, which was held from the 11^th to the 13^th of October at the Intercontinental Hotel in Doha,under the patronage of H.E. Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Minister of Public Health, Doha.

In addition to the sponsorship, Crunch Doha also participated as an exhibitor at the event, taking the opportunity to interact with the visitors and share what the transformation company has to offer to corporates in the country with wellness & team building programs.

Commenting on the event, Nuwaid Pocker, CEO and Co-Founder of Crunch Doha, said: “In today’s world, with the rise of globalization and the unpredictability of unstable markets, there’s a rising work load and stress, and a continuous need to stay ahead of competition. And as the workplace environment poses more and more health challenges to professionals, there is a growing need for employee health and wellbeing practices, and this is where Crunch comes in. With our expertise of tried and tested practices, we are able to help companies work more productively and harmoniously as a team and deal with occupational stress effectively.”

In addition to working with several companies in Qatar, engaging their workforce in fun and lively team activities to boost productivity and teamwork, Crunch Doha always seeks to take part in events that support health and wellbeing, not just in the workplace, but in all areas of living. Crunch Doha believes that the basis of a prosperous State is its people, and for this reason, they must remain happy and healthy in order to be motivated, functioning members of society.

“At Crunch, we are very happy about the increasing importance companies are placing on their employee health and wellbeing. Decision makers are realizing that health awareness is essential to their business’ success, and since employees spend a majority of their time at work, what better place to do this than at the workplace. This is why we have created dynamic, unique programs that are tailor-made for each company to suit its needs and ensure that its team is enjoying the activities and at the same time, staying healthy and improving their performance. We are happy to be taking part in this event and sharing what we have to offer,” said Saima Bukhari, Co-founder of Crunch Doha.

With the aim of reducing the economic burdens of workplace injury and illness, the Employee Health and Wellbeing Conference seeks to promote high quality healthcare, comfort and safety of the Qatari workforce. For three days, the conference served as an ideal platform for solution providers to showcase their ideas, best practices, case studies and vendor solutions, as well as meet with their target market and network with industry leaders and decision makers.

The Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, the five star iconic hotel in Doha, recently appointed Nick Heath as its new Complex General Manager. Heath has been working with Starwood Hotels & Resorts since 2007 and served as General Manager of the iconic W Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand) and the W Seoul-Walkerhill (Seoul, South Korea) prior to joining Sheraton Doha.

Heath started his hospitality career as a Corporate Engineering Management Trainee and since then has grown his career. He brings with him a wealth of experience within the hospitality business with over 25 years of experience with global hotel chains across the USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Guam, Indonesia and South Korea. During his previous tenure at W Bangkok, Nick led a team of 400 associates at the property which opened its doors to the public in December 2012. He also led “The House on Sathorn” project, a free standing landmark building adjacent to the hotel, repurposed as a day to night entertainment destination venue, opened to much anticipation in July 2015.

Commenting on his appointment, Heath said, “I am both honored and excited to be joining such a iconic and historic property within the Starwood family and look forward to working with the outstanding team. Together, we will continue to add to the bespoke luxury experience that the award-winning hotel has always been famous for and further strengthen the hotel’s appeal within the region and beyond. Our aim is to offer an unrivalled guest experience that motivates all of us to go the extra mile.”

A British National, Nick Heath graduated with honors in Mechanical Engineering from Portsmouth University in the UK.

The Hilton hotel has teamed up with Mystique Events to add another world class venue to its bustling nightlife scene, with the opening of Society Lounge.

Located on the hotel’s vast first floor terrace, with spectacular views across Doha, Society Lounge oozes sophistication and style. With a capacity of up to 700 people and vibrant interiors, this is the perfect place to unwind and leave reality behind. Whether it’s retreating to a tranquil cabana or enjoying a range of signature beverages at your tables, Society Lounge will guarantee unforgettable nights.

Call 55390937 for more details.

Follow us to know more: Facebook: Society Lounge          Instagram: @societyloungedoha

We are open daily, from 18:00-2:00am, except for Sundays – we’re closed.

Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Social Development Center (SDC) kicked off its first ever LeanScaleup Program on October 18^th2015.

Participants from 14 small to medium sized enterprises, were selected to partake in the 4-day entrepreneurial program that will help the Center achieve its mission of developing the next QAR 100 million companies in Qatar. The LeanScaleup Program is specially designed to provide proven strategies and processes to selected young companies to accelerate their growth and profitability. By offering key support and services such as accessing the marketplace, human capital, funding and finance, mentoring and coaching, QBIC plays a central role in developing already existing small business in Qatar.

Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa, Qatar Development Bank CEO and QBIC Chairman said: “The LeanScaleup Program gave entrepreneurs with existing businesses the chance to get expert advice and support they need to accelerate their growth and become a key competitive player in their respective industry.” He added: “By providing all means of support and unifying our efforts to help Qatari entrepreneurs, we would be fulfilling our duties in developing the SMEs sector.”   

Aysha Al Mudahka QBIC CEO said: “Our LeanScaleup Program is unique in that it offers Qatari businessmen and women with companies that have a high potential for growth, access to all the support they need to foster their businesses in a supportive and nourishing environment.” Experts from a highly ranked American entrepreneurship college, called Babson College led this wave of the LeanScaleup Program. Professor Les Charm, Senior lecturer in Entrepreneurship, tutored participants on a wide range of business lessons including how to generate successful business models, how to apply sales and marketing to businesses, as well as how to manage and apply financial statements.

Kholoud Al Ali, a LeanScaleup participant, and founder of Blue Penguin Animation, commented on the LeanScaleup Program saying: “The Program was very useful in training me on how to market my company to potential clients, and how to be ready for any questions that a client might have regarding my services, products and offers.” Blue Penguin Animation is a startup graphics production company that provides animation, design, script writing and producing services.

To evaluate the outcomes of the LeanScaleup Program, a three-day follow up session in January 2016 will commence, and entrepreneurs will be assessed on how they have developed their business thus far. 

Al Meera Consumer Goods Company (Q.S.C.) recently disclosed its third quarter financial statements for the nine month period ended September 30, 2015. Sales for the period grew 12.1%, to QR 1.80 billion from QR 1.61 billion, compared to the same period in 2014.

Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Qahtani, Al Meera Deputy Chief Executive Officer said: “Profit from the retail segment surged 53.8% to QR 85.6 million, compared to QR 55.6 million for the corresponding period of 2014, and profit from the leasing segment rose 12.8%, from QR 29.2 million to QR 33.0 million". He added: "Net profit from Investment Segment was down by 76.3% to QR 18.1 million, compared to QR 76.2 million for the same period in 2014, due to adverse Qatar stock market conditions”.

Al Meera’s financial results come as a result of the company’s successful expansion plans to serve the diverse communities in the state of Qatar and meet the needs of all citizens and residents wherever they are, with competitive prices that take into account all segments of society. The results also showed a net profit attributable to owners of the company amounting to QR 137.0 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2015,down by QR 24.1 million, compared to QR 161.1 million for the same period in 2014, due to decline in net profit from investment segment. Earnings per share for the period were QR 6.85, compared to QR 8.05 for the same period of last year.

Al Qahtani continued: “These results clearly demonstrate Al Meera’s ascending performance throughout the years. We are glad to maintain this growth with achieving an ambitious expansion plan involving 40 branches in the State of Qatar. Our aim is to not only increase our retail space, but also to broaden our product offerings to all our customers. This strategy prioritizes the benefit of everyone in the country - shareholders and clienteles alike”. Within its framework to expand its outlets in all areas of Qatar, Al Meera has begun the construction works on several other branches as part of its expansion strategy to construct 14 new shopping malls across the State, located in Sailiya North, Bu Sidra, Al Wakra 3, Umm Slal Ali, Leabaib 1, Leabaib 2, Rawdat Aba El-Heran, Azghawa, Al Khor, Um Qarn, Rawdat Al Hamama, Jeryan Jenaihat, Al Sailiya and Ain Khaled.

For more information, please visit Al Meera website: www.almeera.com