TO THE TABLE MEA. Food and Beverage Professionals. Seminar programme for the next event.

Your seminar host:

Devina is an experienced hospitality moderator and chairs the sessions at TO THE TABLE MEA.

Devina Divecha Writer, Editor, MC and Media Consultant

Wednesday 18th November

09:00 - 09:50

Seminar Presentation: From Resilience to Reinvention

Nicolas Marzioni Vice President Food & Beverage EMEA – Marriott International

Joseph Chalfoun Area Director Restaurants & Bars – MEA, SEAP, India & Greece – Radisson Hotels

Alexander Moser Group Corporate Chef – Emaar Hospitality

Luxury hospitality in the MEA region has weathered significant challenges this year, yet has demonstrated remarkable resilience. As the industry enters an exciting new chapter, the focus is shifting towards growth, innovation and opportunity. This session will explore the key lessons learned and how operational agility across both hotel and kitchen operations can help strengthen performance. Attracting local diners became essential during the challenging times but with the return of international travellers, our industry experts will discuss what’s driving recovery and how to capitalise on new opportunities while navigating change. As travellers increasingly seek meaningful experiences, we will discuss how culinary excellence can help strengthen hotel performance in an evolving market with a stronger emphasis on local connection.

Wednesday 18th November

13:40 - 14:30

Seminar Presentation: Sustainability from the Inside Out

Stefania Chica-Jácome Global Director Sustainability – Kerzner International

Elie Badawi Regional Director of Food & Beverage, MEA – Hilton Worldwide

Duncan Fraser-Smith Founder - CRAFT Hospitality Group

Sustainability is increasingly embedded in F&B strategy across the region, but our expert panellists will scrutinise further to move beyond greenwashing and delve into the manufacturing lifecycle of products utilised, asking what responsible procurement genuinely requires. With ESG alignment becoming a defining factor for financial decisions, as well as an expectation from guests, our speakers will highlight sustainability ideas that inspire, motivate and deliver a return on investment.

Thursday 19th November

09:00 - 09:50

Seminar Presentation: Saudi Arabia's Hospitality Transformation: What Comes Next?

Maya Ziadeh Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy MEAT - Accor

Georges Zouein Associate Director, F&B Attractions - Saudi Entertainment Ventures | SEVEN

Nabiha Khan Managing Director – Red Chillies Hospitality

Stefan Breg Managing Partner - Consulting - KEANE

Saudi Arabia’s hospitality landscape is evolving at an extraordinary pace, creating new opportunities across luxury, lifestyle and mid-scale development. As tourism ambitions accelerate, hospitality assets are becoming strategic front-line drivers of destination growth, with dining, culinary identity and guest experience increasingly shaping investment and development strategy. This session brings together senior regional leaders delivering projects across the Kingdom to share practical insights into the realities, opportunities and long-term potential of hospitality development in Saudi Arabia today. Let’s explore what comes next for one of the world’s most ambitious hospitality markets.