Jeddah hotels, restaurants cook up ways to reduce food waste

Jeddah hotels, restaurants cook up ways to reduce food waste
Alfolk and Al-Mirkaz Ramadan tents are among the experiences that prioritize sustainability through practices such as reducing food waste and promoting environmental consciousness. (Supplied)
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Updated 21 March 2024
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Jeddah hotels, restaurants cook up ways to reduce food waste

Jeddah hotels, restaurants cook up ways to reduce food waste
  • A range of outlets are offering iftar and sahoor experiences with sustainability on the menu

JEDDAH: Many hotels and restaurants in Jeddah are placing a strong emphasis on sustainability practices to make Ramadan more eco-friendly.

The outlets are actively working toward reducing food waste and promoting environmental consciousness throughout the month.

At The Ritz-Carlton, the theme for Ramadan at The Palace is “Bab Al-Bahr,” meaning “Gate to the Sea,” drawing inspiration from the hotel’s proximity to the sea. The gates of the hotel open directly to the sea, embodying the essence of its coastal location. Guests can look forward to luxurious iftar and sahoor experiences in the grand ballrooms, featuring nine live cooking stations offering a wide selection of appetizers, salads, main courses, desserts, and a dedicated mocktail station.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Ritz-Carlton is making efforts to minimize food wastage by collaborating with Etaam, a local charitable organization focused on distributing food to the needy.

• The Hotel Galleria Jeddah has embraced cost-effective practices and is currently testing food waste monitoring systems.

• Bab Al-Balad at Rosewood Hotel’s Soleil restaurant offers an iftar buffet experience that captures the essence of Ramadan and Saudi heritage.

General Manager Peter Katusak-Huzsvar highlighted how the hotel strikes a balance between creating a festive atmosphere and maintaining elegance with the Ramadan menu. He told Arab News: “The Ritz-Carlton brand’s inherent elegance seamlessly intertwines with the richness of Ramadan traditions at our stunning property, aptly referred to as The Palace. This title perfectly aligns with our commitment to providing a regal and sophisticated atmosphere during Ramadan.

“We skillfully strike a balance, ensuring a Ramadani ambiance while upholding the utmost sophistication in our Ramadan offerings … Our meticulously curated stations reflect this harmonious blend, promising a celebration that transcends culinary delight into an exquisite journey of refined indulgence.” 

Katusak-Huzsvar also mentioned the hotel’s dedication to sustainability in its culinary practices. Collaborating with Etaam, a local charitable organization focused on distributing food to the needy, The Ritz-Carlton is making efforts to minimize food wastage. All untouched food is carefully preserved and promptly collected by the Etaam team to benefit those in need. Additionally, the culinary team passionately advocates for sustainability by prioritizing locally sourced products and ingredients, reducing the environmental footprint while delivering a dining experience that is both conscious and delightful.




At The Ritz-Carlton, all untouched food is carefully preserved and promptly collected by the charity organization Etaam to benefit those in need. (Supplied)

Similarly, the Venue Jeddah Corniche offers an extraordinary iftar experience at its Subha Ramadan Tent. Juan Uribe, general manager of the hotel, expressed his excitement about the experience, saying: “We are honored to invite our guests to join us for an unparalleled culinary journey during the holy month of Ramadan. Our team has meticulously crafted an iftar buffet that celebrates the diversity of flavors while ensuring a memorable experience for each guest. We look forward to welcoming families, friends, and colleagues to the Subha Ramadan Tent and creating cherished moments together.”

Uribe mentioned that guests can enjoy a variety of appetizing dishes, including Arabian mezze, salads, grilled meats, seafood, vegetarian options, and tempting desserts. The tent provides a serene and elegant ambiance with warm lighting, comfortable seating, and traditional elements, creating a perfect setting for guests to immerse themselves in the spirit of Ramadan.

Another perfect place to spend some quality time with family and friends this Ramadan is the Movenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah. The hotel offers a captivating vibe for iftar, with a contemporary hall and a stunning Ramadan tent. The diverse menu featuring Hijazi and international cuisines, along with live cooking stations, adds to the allure of the lighting and atmosphere. Monther Abou Alssil, director of food and beverage, said: “Through culinary excellence and a commitment to sustainability, we strive to create unforgettable dining experiences that not only satisfy the palate but also nourish the planet.”




Movenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah's Ramadan tent offers a diverse menu featuring Hijazi and international cuisines, along with live cooking stations. (Supplied)

Alfolk Ramadan tent located at Shangri-La Jeddah offers a modern and stylish ambiance. Their iftar and sahoor buffets showcase a fusion of Middle Eastern, European, Chinese, and Indian flavors. Live oud and violin music further enhances the experience for guests.

Al-Mirkaz Ramadan tent has made a grand return this year with a fresh and captivating look that transports guests to a realm of wonder. The tent radiates sophistication and elegance, adorned with luxurious fabrics, ornate chandeliers, and traditional Arab motifs that create an enchanting atmosphere. They offer a culinary experience that explores Ramadan specialties and international favorites.

Both Alfolk and Al-Mirkaz prioritize sustainability by implementing eco-friendly practices such as reducing food waste and promoting environmental consciousness.

In a city where Ramadan dining experiences are evolving, Bab Al-Balad at the Rosewood hotel’s Soleil restaurant offers an iftar buffet experience that captures the essence of Ramadan and Saudi heritage. This immersive dining journey blends deep-rooted history with modern elegance, featuring a fusion of Arabian and Western flavors in a setting adorned with traditional Ramadan decorations.




Bab Al-Balad at the Rosewood Hotel’s Soleil restaurant. (AN photo)

The Hotel Galleria Jeddah has embraced cost-effective practices and is currently testing food waste monitoring systems. Beyond offering delectable cuisines, the hotel features a kids’ corner, photo booth, electronic play area, and a dedicated section for Saudi coffee, all while prioritizing minimal food waste.

In addition to the sustainable practices adopted by some restaurants in Jeddah, Fogo de Chao is committed to providing guests with the safest, highest-quality, and most wholesome food possible. Restaurant General Manager Shady M. said: “Our approach is rooted in the Brazilian gaucho tradition of nurturing and harvesting food with respect, which we call ‘respeito pela comida’ in Portuguese. To maintain this standard, we carefully select vendor partners who share our values and adhere to the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, a globally recognized standard.




Fogo de Chao actively pursues initiatives and programs focused on conserving resources, such as water and energy, and reducing waste.  (Supplied)

“We also prioritize ongoing communication, guidance, and transparency to ensure that all aspects of animal sourcing, health, and well-being meet our commitment to exceptional food quality and safety for our guests.”

Furthermore, Fogo de Chao actively pursues initiatives and programs focused on conserving resources, such as water and energy, and reducing waste to offer a more sustainable dining experience for their guests. Core activities include recycling and promoting recyclable options, as well as minimizing usage and waste. Through these efforts, Fogo de Chao in Jeddah is not only delivering a delightful culinary experience but also contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.


Sudan’s army chief receives Saudi deputy foreign minister in Port Sudan

Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan receives Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Port Sudan.
Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan receives Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Port Sudan.
Updated 05 November 2024
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Sudan’s army chief receives Saudi deputy foreign minister in Port Sudan

Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan receives Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Port Sudan.
  • During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji stressed the keenness of the Kingdom’s leadership on restoring security and stability in Sudan

RIYADH: Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan received Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Port Sudan on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji stressed the keenness of the Kingdom’s leadership on restoring security and stability in Sudan.

The minister’s visit to the country comes as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to address the crisis in Sudan, reach a ceasefire, and restore stability to the country. 

The Kingdom continues to support the humanitarian response efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, Saudi Press Agency said. 


Saudi pavilion at UNESCO Arab Week in Paris celebrates Kingdom’s camel culture

Saudi pavilion at UNESCO Arab Week in Paris celebrates Kingdom’s camel culture
Updated 05 November 2024
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Saudi pavilion at UNESCO Arab Week in Paris celebrates Kingdom’s camel culture

Saudi pavilion at UNESCO Arab Week in Paris celebrates Kingdom’s camel culture
  • It shows how the role of the camel evolved from essential means of transport and provider of resources to a cultural icon embodying the Kingdom’s values

PARIS: The Saudi pavilion at UNESCO’s Arab Week event in Paris this week featured a showcase of the Kingdom’s deep-rooted connection to camel culture.

It explored the role of the animals as a vital part of the nation’s heritage, identity and civilization, and offered a glimpse into their enduring place in society, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The exhibits showed how the role of the camel has evolved from essential means of transport and provider of resources to a cultural icon that embodies the Kingdom’s values, and the ways in which camels are embedded in Saudi customs, traditions and literature, including poetry and proverbs.

The Saudi Ministry of Culture designated 2024 “The Year of the Camel” to highlight and reinforce the status of the animal as a national symbol and cornerstone of the Arabian cultural identity. Camels are regularly celebrated across the country through dedicated festivals, race events, clubs and research centers.

UNESCO’s Arab Week, which features 22 Arab nations, was initiated by Saudi Arabia. Guests at the official opening of the event on Monday included Saudi envoys, ambassadors representing other nations, Arab and other international diplomats stationed in France, and officials from UNESCO.


AI makes media industry more efficient and drives growth, expert says

Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital, speaks to Arab News at the Athar Festival of Creativity.
Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital, speaks to Arab News at the Athar Festival of Creativity.
Updated 05 November 2024
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AI makes media industry more efficient and drives growth, expert says

Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital, speaks to Arab News at the Athar Festival of Creativity.
  • Martin Sorrell: ‘AI speeds up writing processes, increasing efficiency’
  • New tech allows for increasingly personalized content

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is being used more effectively and efficiently to drive higher economic development in the media industry, said Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital.

At a panel session at the Athar Festival of Creativity Sorrell described how media agencies, such as S4 Capital and its subsidiary, Media.Monks, are using AI in a number of ways.

One application of AI in media, he said, is in “speeding the execution of copywriting and visualization.”

Time to market is drastically decreasing: “What took us literally days is now taking us three hours,” he said. Yet this produces another problem because reducing the time of procurement cuts costs, but this also means it is necessary to move to a model that increases gains in outputs,” he said.

Another application is in personalizing content for consumers. Sorrell told Arab News: “Individualization, hyper personalization, are going to become more important. Knowing the consumer in excruciating detail, using data, using the signals from the platforms, using first-party data, it becomes even more important.”

Using Netflix audience feedback algorithms as an example, Sorrell pointed out that AI enables these algorithms to produce larger and more accurate quantities of output, for example, recommendations based on user profile readings.

“We charge on a per asset used basis. Price of the asset may come down, but total revenue grows because we’re using multiple assets,” he said.

A growing area is in “media planning and buying.” Sophisticated algorithms can far more efficiently choose the distribution of planning and buying than individual media planners.

Technological capital and human capital, however, go hand in hand.

“We as agencies have to validate the algorithm’s analysis. We have to make sure that the client’s money is spent in the right way.”

Another benefit of AI is its ability to improve organizational efficiency. Where organizational silos once kept departments and specializations separate, AI opens up information to the majority of users.

To maintain the emotional connection and trust of the brand-consumer relationship in a technologically driven world, according to Sorrell, understanding individual motivation is increasingly crucial.

“Insights into culture, insights into language, into custom, into belief, into family, into country, that knowledge becomes critically important, far more so in a globalized world,” he said.

The diversity and knowledge of global and local organizations are essential for the success of any company, but the value of personalization means that local knowledge may take the lead, he added.

Quoting Harvard Business School professor Ted Levitt, Sorrell continued: “because remember, consumers will consume everything in the same way everywhere.”

Advising young professionals in tech, media and other industries operating in an AI-powered future, Sorrell said that rather than stripping away opportunities from creatives, avoiding the risk of “bombarding” consumers with much of the same, AI means “creativity becomes even more important.”

Additionally, creatives need to familiarize themselves with the skills and roles that are complementary to the new world: “I think every creative should learn Chinese. I think every creative should learn Spanish, probably Arabic too … and they should learn code.”

“The skills of the ‘Mad Men’, that Don Draper had or his colleagues … are very different to what you need now.”


Saudi Arabia has launched 22 new routes this year as part of tourism drive, ACP’s CEO says

The CEO of the Air Connectivity Program Majid Khan speaks at the Umrah+ Connect event in London on Monday November 4, 2024. (AN
The CEO of the Air Connectivity Program Majid Khan speaks at the Umrah+ Connect event in London on Monday November 4, 2024. (AN
Updated 05 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia has launched 22 new routes this year as part of tourism drive, ACP’s CEO says

The CEO of the Air Connectivity Program Majid Khan speaks at the Umrah+ Connect event in London on Monday November 4, 2024. (AN
  • Kingdom has attracted 12 new airlines to date in 2024

LONDON: Saudi Arabia has launched 22 new routes from various destinations to the Kingdom this year, increasing tourist seating capacity by nearly 2 million, the CEO of the Air Connectivity Program has said.

Speaking at the Umrah+ Connect business-to-business event in London on Monday, Majid Khan said the Kingdom had attracted 12 new airlines to date in 2024.

Khan said: “There has been good expansion out of the UK. Virgin Atlantic is going to start daily flights from Heathrow to Riyadh in March; British Airways launched flights to Jeddah yesterday; Wizz Air will also be operating Gatwick to Jeddah flights daily.

“We are definitely focusing on our own carriers as well, because they are definitely our first priority; Flynas, flyadeal, Saudia, and Riyadh Air in the future.

“But we are also proactively working with international carriers in order to help us to get a higher share of inbound tourism to the Kingdom, as they have their sales and marketing channels in this part of the world.

“We know that the majority of BA travelers are not Saudis. They are actually travelers from the UK market, from their network in Europe and North America.”

Saudi Arabia has a strong, strategic location and travelers can reach more than half of the world within a six-hour flight, Khan said. He added that the ACP was working to deliver 150 million tourists to the Kingdom as part of Saudi Vision 2030.

He said: “Saudi Arabia is like one continent. We have 1,700 km of coastline, the new Maldives that’s actually the Red Sea, the two holiest sites for Muslims in the world, and mountainous regions.

“In the south we have Abha and Jazan, which I would personally call the Switzerland of Saudi Arabia. So it’s definitely an untouched wonder.”

An exhibition at the event highlighted new tourism developments in the Kingdom that British pilgrims can enjoy, including religious sites and activities that promote an understanding of Saudi cultural heritage.

Khan said the ACP was trying to revolutionize the way pilgrims travel, allowing them to holiday in the Kingdom after performing their religious rituals.

He said: “If we take the UK market, travelers typically have one Umrah ticket in their pocket to perform the minor pilgrimage with their family and friends. They then come back again to the UK, and have a separate ticket to either Dubai, Istanbul, or Malaga.

“This is something we would like to change. Travelers can perform Umrah, see the sacred places, and then save their tickets and continue to travel around the Kingdom. That’s the way we try to position Saudi Arabia.”

Rashid Mohammed, the organizer of Umrah+ Connect, said that Monday’s event had provided an opportunity for Umrah travel agents to network and grow their businesses.

Rashid Mohammed, the organizer of Umrah+ Connect (fourth from right), poses with the team from the Pilgrim Experience Program. (Umrah+ Connect)

Mohammed said: “We’ve brought you a diverse experience here in London, and it’s for you to use these tools, through connecting with people, to create packages that enhance and enrich pilgrim experiences.

“We’re also grateful for the support of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, who are here today and have really backed us to put on this show.”


Saudi minister receives German foreign ministry official

Saudi minister receives German foreign ministry official
Updated 05 November 2024
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Saudi minister receives German foreign ministry official

Saudi minister receives German foreign ministry official
  • Discussions focused on enhancing relations, regional and international developments and issues of common concern

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Gregory Bledjian, head of the Middle East division at the German Foreign Ministry, and several accompanying officials, in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance relations, regional and international developments, and issues of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Shoura Council Speaker Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh received Turkiye’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Emrullah Isler in Riyadh on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.