Dubai-based luxury property developer and holding company Seven Tides International has appointed Martin Cahill as the executive chef of the soon-to-be-opened Dukes Dubai hotel and hotel apartments on Palm Jumeirah.

A British national, Cahill began his career in the UK working for both The Savoy and Dorchester Hotel before taking up his first international role in Toronto, Canada.

He has spent the majority of his 20-year professional life overseas, with senior culinary positions for high profile hotel chains including Mandarin Oriental and Hyatt in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Cahill joins the Dukes Dubai team direct from Taipei where he was executive chef at the Mandarin Oriental with responsibility for a team of 171 chefs and eight popular outlets from pre-opening phase through to full operation.

“Martin has an impeccable track record and culinary pedigree second to none, with experience on three continents for luxury brands that are recognised leaders in the hospitality world. We are thrilled that he is now on board with Dukes Dubai as we look to set new benchmarks in innovation and service,” said Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides International.

“What we loved about Martin from the outset, apart from his well-rounded international experience and commercial F&B acumen, is his commitment to supporting brand goals and his ability to step out from the kitchen environment to work with marketing to really put a destination on the map,” said Mete Atakuman, general manager, Dukes Dubai.

The 273-room hotel is scheduled to open for business early next year and Cahill will oversee the launch of six exciting dining and lounge venues as well as catering for extensive meeting and events space.

Guests can choose from the Great British Restaurant, which will serve modern British brasserie-style cuisine, the Fish & Chips Café for a traditional flavour of the UK’s arguably most popular dish, an Asian Rooftop Restaurant, Dukes Bar for signature cocktails, the Champagne Lounge for a traditional afternoon tea or light dining experience, and the al fresco Cigar and Coffee Garden.

“My new role is a dual opportunity as it represents my first posting in the Middle East, a region that I am extremely excited to explore, and also marks a return to my culinary roots as we look to position Dukes Dubai as the definitive English dining destination in the city,” said Cahill.

“Dubai is on the global culinary radar right now, and is attracting legendary chefs to its shores as well as encouraging home-grown talent to develop and launch new food concepts that can then be translated into other markets. For me, bringing an authentic yet contemporary flavour of the UK to the Gulf is really quite unique, and I am looking forward to working with an accomplished team as we count down to our opening,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service