Dubai-based RIKAS Hospitality, the group behind some of UAE’s most iconic award-winning restaurants, has announced the appointment of Christian Gradnitzer. Christian moved from Hilton Hotels and Resorts, where he held the position of Senior Director of F&B Development, Openings and Operations for Middle East, Africa, and Turkey for six years.
Christian joins RIKAS Group with over 30 years of hospitality and food and beverage experience, working for some of the most renowned luxury hotels in Europe, the Middle East and the United States, with brands such as Dorchester Group, Jumeirah Group and Hilton Hotels and Resorts.
“With Christian’s extensive leadership experience in the industry and his demonstrated ability to build successful strategies, we are confident he will be a driving force forward and instrumental for our aggressive expansion plans.” says Rizwan Kassim, Founder and Managing Partner of RIKAS Hospitality Group.
The UAE- born Group has opened La Cantine this Summer in Mykonos, KYMA, in collaboration with St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, in addition to planned openings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.
Since the opening of La Cantine du Faubourg in 2015, the group has been on an upwards journey and has commendably launched multiple bespoke concepts. As a result, the group is well-positioned as a leading player in the dining scene in the UAE, with ambitious development plans to take the portfolio globally.
“I am thrilled to be forming part of such a successful Group. RIKAS is known for its outstanding dining experiences, and I look forward to taking the brand internationally and expanding its footprint further.” Says Gradnitzer.
Owned by Parisian entrepreneur Rizwan Kassim, RIKAS Group is behind some of the region’s most exceptional culinary projects. The collection includes La Cantine du Faubourg, Ninive, Mimi Kakushi, Twiggy by La Cantine, Lana Lusa, Madeleine et Marcel and Gohan, Kyma. French executive chef Gilles Bosquet heads the group’s culinary brigade.
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