Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate appoints new F&B Director

Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai has appointed Samer Abiad to the role of Food & Beverage Director.

Lebanese national Abiad, boasts a wealth of experience having worked in five-star hotels in the UAE and across the wider GCC including La Vendome InterContinental Hotel, Beirut; Beach Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi; Shangri-La, Traders Hotel, Dubai; and JOOD Palace Hotel (formerly known as Taj Palace Hotel).

He joins Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate from Dubai’s Grand Millennium Hotel, where he oversaw the successful operation of eight F&B outlets and seven meeting and conference venues.

“In what is an incredibly competitive market place, Samer’s wide ranging experience in the F&B industry, both locally and throughout the region, will be invaluable as we look to reaffirm our position as one of Dubai’s foremost value-driven, creative culinary destinations, with five-star delivery,” said Maurice De Rooij, General Manager at Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate.

Abiad mastered his craft in the USA, gaining a Hospitality Management Diploma from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Michigan, in 2000, going on to attain a qualification in Strategic Hospitality Management from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Ithica, New York, in 2008.

The 40-year-old has gained priceless insight into the F&B industry in a career that has taken him from Head Waiter, through to Restaurant Manager and Assistant Director of Catering and Conferences, before working as Director of F&B in his last three roles. Indeed, while at the Shangri-La, he developed and launched the new ’88 Ultra-Lounge’ concept.

Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate currently has seven F&B outlets, offering a wide range of cuisines, including Asian, Indian, Italian, Moroccan and a host of international flavours. There is Al Bahou, the grand meeting hall where the Friday Family Brunch is held; Moroc Lounge & Bar, a Moroccan-inspired lounge and terrace offering cocktails, mezzah and premium shisha; Sicilia, serving classic Italian dishes; the Executive Lounge, exclusively reserved for Suite and Executive Room guests; Chor Bazaar, an Indian restaurant famed for its Thali offer and three piping-hot tandoor ovens; Mistral, the all-day dining restaurant featuring live cooking stations and a lunch buffet inspired by Arabian cuisine; and Shanghai Chic, which serves up delicious Asian delicacies.

“Dubai has an enviable international reputation as a business and leisure destination of choice, which resonates perfectly with the wide variety of F&B on offer at the Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate. The hotel has set itself extremely high standards, specifically to exceed the expectations of our guests and it is my responsibility to make sure that remains a reality,” said Abiad.

Abiad’s other responsibilities include looking after the conference and banqueting facilities at Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate. The hotel boasts 15 meeting rooms, varying in size, as well as the extensive and versatile Al Bahou space, which is host to the weekend brunches and can accommodate up to 700 guests.