Zahi Saba

The Silent Crisis in Lebanon’s F&B Service Standards For years, Lebanon’s food and beverage industry has taken pride in its hospitality. Service was never secondary, it was the main thing. Whether in a fine dining venue, a coffee shop or a casual diner, customers always expected warmth, professionalism, and genuine human connection. But lately, something has gone wrong. In the past few months, I have personally seen a steady decline in service quality, and not in newly operated and unknown places, but in some of the most popular and long-standing restaurants and coffee shops. I have watched waiters scratch their noses while taking our order, runners carry plates with their hands practically over the food, and staff prepare tables by grabbing cutlery from the wrong side, barehanded. Employees shout across the restaurant, service is slow, and most importantly, NO ONE SMILES. And when they do speak, it feels like they would rather be anywhere else. Of course, there are still places out there maintaining high standards. But the regression is real. And I ask myself: Is it bad hiring? Lack of training? Low morale due to overwork or reduced wages? Or simply the absence of strong, floor-engaged leadership? Middle managers who are disengaged, underqualified, or poorly trained themselves can destroy years of work in weeks. But it doesn’t stop there, the ultimate accountability lies with brand owners. If you are a brand owner, allow me to share a few uncomfortable but necessary truths: 1- Be present on the floor, as much as you can. You don’t need to be there 24/7, but if your team never sees you during service hours, they won’t be inspired to care. Your physical presence alone (watching, supporting, reporting, correcting) makes a huge difference. 2- My favorite: Lead by example: If a manager walks past a dirty table, so will the waiter. If you, as the owner, pick up a napkin from the floor, your staff will follow suit. Culture flows from the top down. 3- Get your hands dirty (Literally). Step behind the bar. Change a dirty ashtray. Help clear a table. It shows you are not above the work and that no job is too small in the pursuit of excellence. It builds humility, respect, and unity in the team. At Café Younes, we fight this battle every day. Do we get it right all the time? No. But we never stop trying. When something goes wrong, we talk about it, fix it, and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Our team knows that technical skill without care is not enough, and we make sure our management walks the floor and listens. To every brand owner out there: Before you chase networking events, go back to your floor. Be your own mystery shopper. Watch, listen, guide. Build a team culture where service matters, and where accountability is the standard, not the exception. Because at the end of the day, a burger tastes better when served with a smile, and a cup of coffee is simply more enjoyable when it is made and delivered from the heart.

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Alef Group and Emaar Hospitality Group have unveiled Palace Residences Al Mamsha at Al Mamsha Seerah, marking the debut of Emaar’s Palace Residences brand in Sharjah. Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi, CEO of Alef Group, and Nicolas Bellaton, hospitality head at Emaar, spearheaded this significant partnership aimed at blending heritage with modern sophistication, enhancing Sharjah's appeal as a centre for upscale living. ✅ Collaboration focuses on integrating world-class hospitality with Sharjah’s community essence. ✅ Features include sky terraces, family-friendly pools, and lush gardens, designed for comfort and connection. ✅ This development marks a key step in Sharjah's evolution from a quiet neighbour of Dubai to a thriving urban and lifestyle market. ✅ Alef and Emaar combine their expertise to offer a distinctive living experience, highlighting Sharjah's maturing property market. #RealEstate #Sharjah #Hospitality #UrbanLiving #Innovation #Arageek

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Al Zorah Development (Private) Company appoints Krystel Irani as general manager of Al Zorah Beach Resort ahead of its 2026 relaunch as Four Seasons Resort Ajman at Al Zorah. With over two decades of international luxury hospitality experience, Krystel has held leadership roles at iconic properties including Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, Raffles Dubai, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, and Four Seasons Hotel DIFC. She will oversee the resort’s transformation, bringing vision, precision, and a people-first approach. George Saad, CEO, says her appointment underscores Al Zorah’s ambition to redefine luxury hospitality in the UAE. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

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