“From a young age,” says Tuan Waffoor, food & beverage manager at Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall, “I was drawn toward the vast world of food and beverage and all it has to offer.

“I’ve always admired great chefs and their perfectly executed dishes, and this is what sparked my passion for a career in food and beverage.”

These days, Tuan looks after two restaurants at the hotel:  Mr Toad’s Pub & Kitchen and Nuevo Restaurant, which are very popular among hotel guests and people living nearby.

Tuan has put in 22 years in the F&B industry, four of them with Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall.

His journey into the culinary world began when he was a kid growing up in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

“My mum loves cooking on a large-scale. It was like she didn’t know how to cook for just a few people.  When she’s in the kitchen, expect a feast! We used to have a lot of family and friends around just because of her cooking,” Tuan shares.

He said his mother made it a point to feed them home-cooked meals much as she could, “but we also got to eat out sometimes and, on those occasions, the fun wasn’t in the cooking but in the creativity that went into the meal.”

Tuan said he “wasn’t expressly interested in learning as he was about creating new dishes.”

“Still it was important to understand the role of spices and how the taste buds react to them. My initial experiments were always awful, but each time I learned something new, I got a bit better.  

“Now, years later, I’m on a culinary journey of my own.”

Tuan, who has lived in Dubai for several years now, said he has been “privileged to work at and manage some of the city’s best restaurants and bars.

“I’ve also had the opportunity to learn from and share knowledge with some great culinary professionals including Emirati celebrity chef Musabbeh Alkaabi.”

With all his experiences, and noting the fact that he has virtually spent his whole life in F&B, Food Trip Magazine thought of asking him about industry trends.

And he said: “The F&B scene is buzzing with new trends these days, with everything from low-carb diets to crafted cocktails, foodies are becoming adventurous and their blogs are becoming more and more insightful. It’s an exciting time in the culinary world.”

Tuan said new trends come up every year brings new food trends.

“This year, there seems to be focus on the role of food on wellbeing. Getting into a healthy mind and body space promises better gut health, higher nutritional values, and an active mind! 

“Gastronomy specialists across the world are acknowledging organic, sustainable, green, and healthy food that benefits the mind and the body. We are all now more aware of our food influencing our overall health.

“The introduction of the Michelin Guide for Dubai is also a major step forward for the industry.”

And what is he busy with these days?

“I like to keep busy with work and at the same time explore new trends, like organic, sustainable and locally-produced food. At Premier Ibn Ibn Battuta Mall, we’re working on new theme nights to bring in new trends, enhancing existing favourites and adding new dishes. 

“We’re also very much looking forward to the World Cup, and will be seizing the opportunity to maximise our space to give football fans the best place to watch the games and enjoy great hospitality at Mr Toad’s and Neuvo,” he said.

Mr Toad’s is Premier Inn’s much-loved British-based dining experience, offering some of the UK’s most popular dishes and a range of regional favourites.  With indoor and outdoor seating, Mr Toad’s can accommodate 250 guests inside and on its extensive terrace.  A great venue for sports fans, Mr Toad’s shows all major events live, and is currently gearing up to welcome guests for the FIFA World Cup and ICC T20 World Cup on a giant outdoor screen.  The sports bar was home to the Manchester City Dubai Fan Club (Dubai Blues) for the 2020-2121 season.  Mr Toad’s hosts a number of regular events including quiz nights and BBQ brunches, and is available for private events such as birthday parties and corporate gatherings.

Nuevo Restaurant is Premier Inn’s international all day dining restaurant with seating for up to 600 guests.  Theme nights and special events include Asian Night and Pasta Night, as well as seasonal specials for Diwali, Hallowe’en, Eid and Festive Season.  Nuevo regularly hosts corporate and private events, including poolside weddings.

Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall originally opened with 372 rooms in 2016 and was subsequently extended bringing an additional 222 keys.  The new extension opened last year, bringing the total number of rooms to 594.  It’s the largest Premier Inn in the Middle East – and the second biggest in the world. The hotel welcomes more than 150,000 overnight guests per year.