Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) Welcomes Top Hospitality & F&B Leaders To MasterChef the TV Experience Dubai
The GRIF Society welcomed leading personalities from the hospitality industry to MasterChef, the TV Experience, Dubai on September 4th, where key industry trends
Ahead of the Global Restaurant Investment Forum 2020 in Amsterdam, hospitality leaders and key industry professionals gathered at MasterChef, the TV Experience, at Millennium Place, Dubai, for the GRIF 2020 Dubai Advisory Board Meeting. The in-depth round table discussion and networking session provided intriguing insights into the most innovative F&B trends currently setting the market alight, from technology integration to the rise of plant-based foods, and everything in between.
The Advisory Board Meeting offered participants the opportunity to have their say on the focus of the content currently being created for GRIF 2020, which takes place from February 11th to 13th in Amsterdam, as well as providing input into the content direction for the upcoming GRIF Society Dubai Briefing and the GRIF KSA Conference in Riyadh in January 2020.
The biggest news was kept until the end, however, as it was revealed that GRIF will partner with MasterChef, the TV Experience, for an exclusive panel discussion, which will be moderated by Duncan Fraser-Smith, Vice President, TFG Food and Beverage at The First Group, and feature a host of former MasterChef winners. MasterChef, the TV Experience, is a world-first restaurant concept located in the heart of Dubai Marina, based upon and powered by the global television phenomenon that is MasterChef.
On top of the MasterChef, the TV Experience, announcement, the GRIF 2020 Dubai Advisory Board Meeting, hosted by Duncan Fraser-Smith and The First Group, served as an invaluable outlet for the fascinating insights, opinions and expertise of a diverse range of the region’s leading hospitality professionals. Some key discussion points included the impressive growth of SMEs, the importance of integrating technology into F&B businesses and the limitless opportunities presented by the local hospitality industry, as well as the need for more support systems for F&B entrepreneurs and start-ups.
High up on the agenda was, of course, GRIF 2020, which will take place from 11th to 13th of February 2020, at NH Hotel Grand Krasnapolsky in Amsterdam. The significant evolution of the Global Restaurant Investment Forum means that next year’s instalment is set to be the most impressive yet. The GRIF community will convene to attract some of the most exciting and influential F&B personalities who are keen to share their knowledge, visions and recipes for success with influential investors and municipalities.
Speaking after the successful Advisory Board Meeting, Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, Co-Founder of GRIF and Managing Director (Middle East) of Bench Events, stated, “The advisory board is an essential part of putting together the programme and defining the direction of GRIF. We are a platform for the industry, and it is essential that we hear directly from its leaders to ensure it is a valuable three days for all involved. I was delighted to hear that our theme for 2020, ‘Evolve’, resonated strongly with our board members. The inspiration was the fourth industrial revolution and its impact on consumer behaviours, the wider business environment and, specifically, the restaurant industry.”
Established in 2014, GRIF offers high-level programmes and networking opportunities that bring together the global restaurant community’s most ambitious and creative minds. Built around the pillars of investment, innovation and inspiration, GRIF is a community that connects industry leaders and provides a constantly adapting platform to keep a finger on the pulse of the latest F&B trends, while challenging its members’ mindsets to encourage fresh thinking about the most important culinary issues of the day. Carefully curated events help to stimulate investments into new concepts and fund expansions into some of the world’s most exciting F&B destinations.
It has also been confirmed that the GRIF Society Dubai Briefing, which will take place on October 15th, 2019, will be hosted by The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, with a lunch, hosted by Gates Hospitality, to follow at Folly by Nick & Scott.
Check out GRIF.com for exciting news and announcements, along with enlightening articles over the coming months!
