Sushi Counter's Ultimate Guide to Eating Sushi for the First Time

A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO SUSHI

Sushi Counter is the hippest and freshest sushi joint you can find in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Riyadh. Their mission is to consistently provide quality sushi to their patrons and to encourage (or tempt!) those who haven’t tasted one to try it right away. Sushi Counter doesn’t just serve Sushi, they live it. The philosophy and art of preparing the freshest, most wholesome ingredients and presenting them in the most modern attractive and appetising way, is what makes them different from any other sushi restaurants in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

Ask any sushi lover what they like about it and you’re likely to get all sorts of expressive answers. While some will tell you that it’s not much about the food but more of the experience, others will express how much they love their sushi – the combination of flavours and textures. People who “hate” sushi are usually those who have had a bad first experience with it and will no longer dare to try again. Sushi can be intimidating to the novice, so we’ve put together all our sushi tips to come up with this ultimate sushi guide.

1. What is Sushi?

So, you’ve never had sushi before but now you’re ready to try the world’s most popular Japanese food? We’re going to tell you what you’ve been missing and how you should start to navigate the world of this versatile cuisine. Sushi is a way of preparing food that can go from a street-corner cart to the most exclusive establishment. Sushi is a famous Japanese method of cooking and serving food, based on rice, vegetables, egg, and seafood. Sushi is often thought of as simply raw fish and rice, but there are many varieties of sushi nowadays, some don’t even fish at all!

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What do you need to know about eating sushi?

1. If you like fish (generally), you are going to love sushi.

2. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you can explore more options with cool refreshing veggie based rolls.

3. If you are health conscious or closely watching your diet, sushi is a great meal choice.

2. A Brief History of Sushi

The origins of Sushi are shrouded in the mists of time. It is thought to have originated in ancient China, where people used cooked rice to start a fermentation process to preserve fish. Moving to Japan, this method of preserving and serving fish in rice became popular in the 9th century alongside the adoption of Buddhism, as Buddhists abandoned eating meat and consumed rice, vegetable and small amounts of fish instead. Through the centuries, people adapted and changed the methods of preparing and serving sushi, speeding up the process of fermentation and finally beginning to serve fresh rather than preserved fish. Sushi was also once a food reserved for the elite because of the labour and expense involved in preparing it.

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Finally, in the early 19th century, a modern form of sushi was invented by street stall vendor, Hanaya Yoehi in what is now modern-day Tokyo. Rather than fermenting fish in packed salted rice, Yoehi developed a new style of tasty street food by adding vinegar and salt to just cooked rice served with slices of raw fresh fish. Soon, hundreds of other street food vendors began copying Yoehi’s innovation and this style of sushi spread throughout Japan.

In the 1960s, Japanese businessmen living in California imported their favourite food. The first restaurant serving sushi opened in 1966 in Little Tokyo area. For the first time, Americans were able to try sushi and the little Japanese cuisine became widely known. Soon, American-based chefs began to innovate - creating the first Sushi “rolls” and adding untraditional ingredients like avocado and cream cheese. From America, sushi restaurants started to pop up all around the world, eventually becoming one of the most popular and recognizable global cuisines.

3. Health Benefits of Sushi (and Warning!)

Sushi is packed with nutrients because it relies on fish and vegetables as the main ingredients. Fish provides a lean source of low-calorie, high-quality protein. It's also low in saturated fats and cholesterol, making it a heart-healthy food choice. A healthy diet should incorporate fish at least twice a week, according to the American Heart Association. This is because fish contains high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to the healthy functioning of the brain. Omega-3 fatty acids are helpful for neurological disorders and may help to fight depression, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, dementia and diabetes. Fish also contains other healthy vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D.

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The seaweed wrapping of sushi rolls, Nori, is packed with nutrients. It is low in calories and contains vitamins A, B-6, and C. It also has a healthy serving of Iodine, which is essential for hormone function. Recent studies indicate that seaweed proteins may reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.

Sushi, however healthy it is, is not always a low-calorie option. Because the portions are small, it can be very easy to load up, taking in more calories than necessary, especially if other ingredients and condiments are added like cream cheese and mayonnaise. So, if you start to crave for more sushi after your first order, try other delicious yet lighter options such as the vegan varieties.

Eating Sushi for the First Time

1. Navigating the Menu

A sushi menu may seem complicated to the newbie, but there are basically four kinds of Sushi.

Nigiri Sushi – It is a small serving of cold molded rice with a slice of raw fish on top. The first type of sushi was developed in Japan and considered the most traditional of all the sushi types.

Maki is a combination of rice, vegetables and fish rolled up in tightly in thin sheets of flattened dried seaweed, called “Nori”. Maki is served sliced into six or eight pieces. Sometimes, the rolls (uramaki) are served inside out with the rice on the outside, while the nori and fish or vegetables in the middle. Maki can also be served as a kind of seaweed cone (temaki) filled with rice, fish and/or veggies.

Chirashi is a bowl of vinegared rice with a piece of fish on top.

Sashimi is a thin slice of raw fish. In some cases, the rice is served on the side, though it is not really necessary.

Sushi can be a disorienting experience if you are not used to it especially when they are served and eaten cold. Many restaurants, like Sushi Counter, will also have other cooked and hot items on the menu like soups, and noodles alongside other Asian inspired hot main dishes, like curries, so there is no need to worry if you really don’t like cold food.

2. Ordering Tips

If you are having sushi for the first time, it is a good idea to be with friends who are already sushi enthusiasts. Another option is to ask the sushi chef for guidance on what and how much to order. As a beginner, it’s best to go slow and ease your way into the wonderful world of sushi. Sushi is prepared with only a handful of ingredients, but the combination of flavours, textures, and tastes is amazing. Since sushi has evolved through its long history, restaurants of today are constantly innovating and adding new combinations, which are just as authentic as traditional sushi. This is part of what makes this cuisine so interesting.

Start slowly by choosing items that are more familiar or those with ingredients that you are more comfortable with until you become accustomed to the textures and flavours unique to sushi. It’s also good to prepare yourself mentally. If you encounter something you don’t like, don’t force yourself. Sushi should be a fun learning experience. Leave it and try something else. Below are some other tips that may be helpful for your first take on sushi.

Article originally published by Sushi Counter. Read the full article here, https://bit.ly/2K8BBHY

Hospitality Consultancy in Dubai: How to Start a Successful Restaurant Business

A lot of people dream of owning and running a successful restaurant business in Dubai. After all, successful hospitality companies in the city are enjoying a steady flow of revenue every month, thanks to the continuous flow of diners and industry stability.  While you might be dreaming of running your own successful restaurant in the near future, it is important to ask whether you have what it takes to actualise this dream. In fact, the statistics have not been so encouraging. However, with proper planning and management, you can easily be among the 20% of restaurants that never go out of business. Here are some steps that can help budding owners start a successful restaurant business in Dubai.

12 Steps to a Successful Restaurant Business

Opening a restaurant may be an easy task but operating a successful restaurant will cost you a lot more in terms of financial, knowledge and human resource. With these steps, you can be on your way to having a successful restaurant business.

1. Conduct a feasibility study

Having a successful hospitality business in Dubai is not simply a matter of getting resources and opening up shop in a prime location. A feasibility study is important since it will help confirm that your idea is valid. For example, you might want to have a gourmet restaurant and a feasibility study will help you ascertain whether your local area needs an additional gourmet restaurant. The study will also help you point out other possible ideas that you may have not thought of when drawing up your plan.

Companies offering hospitality consultancy in Dubai will help you with a feasibility study before you get too deep and realise that your idea was impractical. While this is likely to cost you, it may help you save a lot of cash in the future.

2. Concept development

A restaurant concept is simply a theme or the overall idea that defines the type of restaurant that you want to run. It is easy to think that all restaurant ideas have been explored in the hospitality sector but you will be shocked at the new ideas that you can get. A good concept plan should offer you a fresh yet effective idea that can be easily turned into reality. It is worth noting that a great concept should adhere to your quality expectations while also fitting your clients’ preferences with regards to location, customer service and even type of menu.

How do you create a perfect concept development plan? Well, it is important to study your target market, assess your clients and potential competitors, prepare a plan and finally draft the final report. This will ensure that the concept plan you draw is practical and can be easily implemented.

3. Write a business plan

A comprehensive business plan may not seem like a priority but it will come in handy later. It will help you to reach out to potential investors or even get restaurant loans when you badly need them. A good business plan also helps you to develop your business strategy while using the information you received from your feasibility study.

What are the main things you should include in your business plan? The primary components include an executive summary, company or restaurant overview, a market analysis report, unique business offerings, management structure, marketing and finally your future financial projections. Drawing up a business plan may not be easy if you do not have prior experience but you can easily outsource this from competent restaurant consulting firms.

4. Build a strong brand

The third step to having a successful restaurant is creating a strong brand. It is impossible to downplay the importance of having a strong brand in the contemporary business market. Your brand can be compared to your voice in the market. It will help your clients understand your story, what your business stands for and the objectives of your restaurant. Customers want to feel part of your business and developing a strong brand that they can relate to can be a great way to achieve this.

Other benefits of having a strong brand include having a competitive edge in the market, better customer recognition, enhanced customer loyalty and the ability to introduce new products. It is not necessary for you to be good at branding as you can easily get good branding services from reputable F&B consultants in Dubai. These services include designing your logo, graphic design for your signage, developing attractive menus and even business cards among others.

5. Get a suitable location

Location is one of the most important factors that contribute to the success of a business. While most people know the value of a great location, many restaurant owners underestimate what a great location can do for their business. It is extremely important that an entrepreneur chooses a great location before they can invest in a restaurant.

What are some of the crucial things that you need to consider when choosing a location? Parking is very important. A restaurant should have its own parking spot but if this is impossible, then they need to partner with a hotel or establishment that has one. Accessibility is also vital. The main reason why most restaurants are close to highway exits is to make them accessible. Places that are so accessible will not only have plenty of foot traffic but will also be visible to others.

Lastly, the base population is also important when choosing a suitable location. Are there enough people to support your niche restaurant? Does your main target market reside in the area you want to set up shop? Asking yourself these questions and answering them honestly can help you have a better chance of running a successful establishment.

Article originally published by Glee. Read the full article here, https://bit.ly/2Zjrgga

The Signature of a Top Exhibition Stand in Dubai: Quality & Excellence

Want Exhibition or Event Success? Quality is Key

When deciding to participate in any exhibition or trade show, or even hosting an event, there are a lot of factors to be taken into consideration like cost, visibility and commercial pay-off. Your exhibition stand should showcase your products or services to the best advantage, enhance your brand, and ultimately lead to more business opportunities. The placement, design and organisation of any exhibition stand or booth, all play a critical role in attracting visitors. Remember, depending on the size of the trade show, there could be anywhere from dozens to hundreds of other companies all competing for attention.

Many times, companies or agencies working on behalf of corporates can be frustrated because despite investing time and money in developing a design concept, booking space and developing promotional materials, the exhibition stand does not reflect the company or the brand.

It is important, therefore, to ensure that you’ll be hiring a qualified exhibition stand builder with standardised processes, methods and resource planning, and a highly proficient team who will handle the projects. At Electra, we have dedicated project and account managers who will create and oversee the whole project planning and execution. This will guarantee regular updates on the project status at every stage and support until its completion.

Don’t wait until the last minute to discover that not all exhibition stand contractors in Dubai are alike.

In the final analysis, put to one side the expense, the time, the preparation, it all comes down to the quality of the execution. The top exhibition stand contractors or exhibition stand builders in Dubai and across UAE deliver the premium quality others do not or cannot. Quality is the sign of true artistry or craftsmanship; the attention to detail that can be seen in a carefully hand-sewn seam, or the brushwork of a master painter.

American writer William A. Foster once wrote: “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives”. Any company that invests time, money and effort in an exhibition or trade show wants this to benefit its business. An exhibition stand or booth is a visible reflection of a company’s values, the way it thinks about itself and the way it serves its clients, the choices it makes and how it delivers on its promises. Quality, therefore, should be the main factor when making any of the hundreds of possible choices that accompany participating in an exhibition or hosting an event, including factors such as the concept, design and execution.

Event or Exhibition Stand Finishing Supports Branding

In a previous post, we shared some tips on how to choose the best exhibition stand company in Dubai, where we highlighted some of the nightmare scenarios that can occur if you don’t hire a reputable and reliable exhibition stand contractor. Now we want to look more closely at the quality issue because it is an essential component of success. At the end of the day, you can make all the right decisions, but not get the effect you desire, because the exhibition structure or event venue is the core element of your presentation, you need to be 100% sure that it will be constructed, laid out and furnished to the highest standard possible within your budget. If you cannot answer in the affirmative to the following three questions, you may be in trouble.

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Have you picked a partner who is dedicated to delivering high quality finishing?

Did you hire an exhibition stand builder who understands the importance of details in creating an overall impression?

Can you rely on your contractor to deliver your vision on time, on budget and according to specifications?

A quality stand or event depends not just on the design but on the quality of the build, that’s why every event production company in Dubai must remember this quote from legendary Hollywood producer David 0. Selznick, most famous for “Gone with the Wind”: “The success of a production depends on the attention paid to detail”. When you are organising an event, you are creating a show, a display, an experience for your existing and potential clients. You want them to be engaged, interested and comfortable.

Lack of attention to detail and poor-quality control can lead to such issues as shabby furniture and fixtures, sloppy painting, uneven surfaces, and seams, loose fittings, poor joinery, cracks, dents and many more. The presence of any of these flaws can create exactly the opposite impression of your company, rather than being professional, thoughtful and organised. A poorly-executed build can make you look disorganised, careless and unreliable. Rather than enhancing your brand, it could damage it. This is certainly one case where people will judge a book by its cover.

Article originally published by Electra. Read the full article here, https://bit.ly/31gTvxy

Artificial Plants in Dubai: Expectations vs Reality

Planters Artificial listed down some of the most common expectations about artificial trees and plants in Dubai that may lead to disappointments in the end. https://bit.ly/2VJGMAd

Infographics originally shared by Planters Group.

Your Ultimate Guide to Green Walls Dubai

Green walls are one of the fastest growing trends in office interior design in Dubai and all of UAE over the past few years. Find out why in our latest blog. https://bit.ly/2TUp9gd

Infographics originally shared by Planters. 

Collaboration with External Partners is Key to Success

What is collaboration in business? The definition of collaboration from the Oxford Dictionary is “The action of working with someone to produce something.” But in business, it is more likely to be working with someone outside your team, and potentially with different expertise to achieve a common goal or product. Organisations are now reaching beyond their internal employees and collaborating with external partners to achieve their goals.

Harvard Business Review surveyed business leaders worldwide about how collaboration is changing with their organisations

72% say “effective team communication” has become more important over the past 2 years

54% are investing in easier-to-use collaboration solutions

64% report that collaboration with external parties has increased in importance

(Retrieved from http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collaboration/index.html?stickynav=1)

During our 20 years in business we have supported and collaborated with our industry architects, designers, suppliers and project managers to create high-quality interior solutions for our clients. We have also collaborated with industry groups like the Dubai Chamber of Commerce who has helped guide us on our CSR journey, and The US Green Building Council (USGBC) to achieve our LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and LEED EBOM (Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance) certifications. Without external collaboration with other like-minded businesses, we could not meet our client’s expectations or achieve our ‘green’ and CSR goals.

In 2017 Summertown is extending our collaboration with external partners to form a global alliance – The United Workplace Group – which is a much more formal external partnership.

The United Workplace is a network of like-minded businesses, sharing a passion for the workplace– inspiring design, innovation and a culture of collaboration underpins everything we do. All members share common ethics, values and goals bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and experience. The fundamental goal of The United Workplace is to provide consistency of service and local insight on a global scale- to fulfil your workplace design, fit-out or commercial furniture consultancy and installation needs.

Globalisation is accelerating and having the ability to link businesses, exchange best practices and share knowledge is seen as a distinct advantage. The United Workplace consists of a handpicked collection of businesses selected in recognition that each country and market has specific requirements.

Article originally published by Summertown. Read the full article here, https://bit.ly/2JZZb9I

Restaurant Management Consultant Tips: How to Run a Profitable Business

Restaurants, like any other business, have the sole reason of making profits out of their customers’ needs. There are numerous resources that can help you learn how to run a profitable business. Restaurant management consulting firms in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, however, swear by the tips outlined in this blog article. These tips are behind the success of many restaurants in the region and can help you achieve the same with your restaurant.

10 Tips to Make your F&B Business Profitable

Below, we share 10 of the best tips to increase the profitability of your hospitality business:

1.    Ensure Customer Satisfaction

Our customers are the sole reason for the existence of our business. Therefore, if we are to talk about the business’ profitability, it is only natural if we are keen on our customers’ needs. Restaurant management consultants all over Dubai and Saudi agree that the journey to maximum business profitability begins with customer satisfaction.

So how do you ensure your customers walk out of your doors fulfilled and content?

• Understand what they need and what irks them. Some customers, for example, are thoroughly keen on cleanliness and will instantly be put off by the slightest impression of otherwise.
• Keep up with the trends and instantly adapt to customers’ changing needs. Most people are moving towards being healthy and are conscious of what they are eating now more than ever. In order to keep the customers coming, you need to move along with the trends, adopt healthy diets on your menu or opt for ingredients that are more natural and whole.
• Listen to the customers. How do you handle complaints raised by the customers? They will definitely keep coming back if they feel their views are listened to. As a restaurant manager, occasionally walk around the dining room, saying hello to the diners and getting their feedback. This would be highly appreciated and the homely reception will surely promise return visits.
• Take note of and reward your loyal customers. You can set up an email list where you get to share new deals and specials, giving them the privilege of knowing first. Restaurant consulting firms also suggest loyalty programs. Loyalty programs help you to retain customers while giving you an advantage over your competitors.

A satisfied customer is a guaranteed, faster way of marketing that beats any other. You can bet they will come back with friends and family next time.

2.    Manage the Costs of Food and Beverage

While you focus on increasing your restaurant’s profitability, take stock of food and beverages in the business. Be vigilant to monitor any disappearance of foods or drinks, which could sadly be as a result of theft from the employees. You should be able to account for how much was bought and how much was sold without missing pieces to the puzzle. Set up a system to ensure no employee makes off with bottles of wine or food.

You can also avoid incurring huge losses by reducing the number of faulty or redo dishes, which also generally reduces the amount you throw out as waste at the end of the day. If you are making losses from expiring ingredients, you can use applications that will notify you when a product is a few days from the expiry date*.  The overall effect of all these is saved costs and an increase in the number of profits you earn eventually. Hospitality consultancy companies suggest negotiation with supplies for discounts, helping you to save more.

Hospitality management companies more so in Dubai and Saudi are now keen on the ‘zero waste policy’ as is shown by the high number of F&B companies absorbing it into their policies. The Armani hotel in Dubai is a great example of this.

3.    Improve the Quality of Services and the quality of food you offer

A satisfied guest will always market you, and we cannot fail to insist on this. The customers can enjoy great food almost anywhere but what will set you apart from the rest is your service. How you present your food to the customer, how fast or slow your service is; how you basically handle the customer. Be friendly and welcoming, carefully paying attention to the guest. Greet the diners the minute they enter the dining room. Use polite titles such as sir and ma’am when addressing them and see the big difference it will make.

Check on the quality of the food you offer too. This is a no-brainer. The reason your customers came into the premises was largely to get a sumptuous meal. If you have everything else in check but serve unpalatable food, then it will all be in vain. How do you present your food on the plate? Do you offer specialties? Are local foods a big part of your menu? Recent trends show that customers are shifting towards appreciating their local dishes, the same is true in the region. Use organic and healthy ingredients too.

4.    Proper Staffing

From the chef to the servers to the maintenance guy, everyone who works at the restaurant is a representation of the business’ values. A customer can get put off by poor employees and that has a negative effect on your image as a company. The bad habit of one employee is tied to the entire restaurant brand as it is seen as something that is allowed and not strictly dealt with. This means that you have to be extra careful when hiring.

You may hire people with experience working in the hospitality industry, but in the situation that you do not, be sure to train them and instill the values that define your business. For instance, you could ensure they are knowledgeable and well-versed with the menu such that they will be able to up-sell food with high-profit margins. It will increase your sales significantly if the waiting staff know exactly when and how to up-sell. They could offer extras alongside the main courses or suggest other courses the guests have not ordered.

Just as any firm in other industries, for maximum output from the employees, you have to ensure that they are happy and engaged with the roles they play. The effect that this has is increased performance, in their serving and eventually in customer satisfaction.

A great way to make sure your staff is well-motivated, as suggested by companies offering hospitality solutions all over Dubai and Saudi Arabia, is establishing reward systems for the employees. Each department could vote in an employee of the week who gets a small reward. This honestly goes a long way in motivating and challenging them to become better at their assigned duties. Hold team building events and get to know your staff individually, they will feel part of a bigger family and their response to your concern and care will blow your mind away.

5.    Market! Market! Market!

You may offer the best food and services in Dubai or Saudi Arabia, but of what benefit is it if only a small fraction of the population are able to enjoy them? You want to make maximum profits and that simply means more sales. The best way to market your hospitality business is by following trends. Go with the flow. What sites are most popular at the moment?

Hospitality management companies recently discovered the shift of majority of the population towards YouTube and are now encouraging companies to adopt this trend. Restaurants can now make videos to advertise themselves and post it on YouTube and Facebook Live. Set up ads on these sites too to reach as many people as you can. You can also advertise on travel sites and that will make your business more accessible to both local and foreign visitors.

You may find it of great benefit to hire social media experts and professional photographers on your marketing team to bring out the best of the features in the quality of services you offer and ensure massive advertising. Post up deals such as 2 for 1’s, happy hours and any discounts and watch how the effect works like magic! The advantage of advertising on social media and such sites is that you get to understand what the customers are into and get feedback based on the views, likes and comments that you will get.

Take advantage of celebrities and social media influencers in the region to market yourself. Invite them over and let them make reviews on your restaurant that they will post on their pages. You will be shocked just how much following you will acquire by that.

6.    Spruce things up with your décor

An interesting trend has come up. The younger generations (who by the way now have the largest purchasing power) are more likely to visit and be loyal customers to restaurants deemed “cool” by their peer influence. You might be wondering just how they are able to gauge this.

As we have said above, this generation is driven by trends and influences. The social media craze is something we cannot fail to notice. They want to visit instagrammable venues to share with the world, by that we mean they are extra keen on the décor and setting of the restaurant. The décor in your restaurant should match the preferences of the particular group of customers you are targeting. If it is the above-said group, go for classy and trendy themes. If you are targeting professionals, go for more simple yet sophisticated themes with a chilled mood. If your restaurant is purposed to serve families, then you can opt for a more homely and accommodating setting.

Create inviting views for your guests. Do not downplay the effect of plants and nature in your building. Play with lights and sounds. Soft lighting creates the illusion of a bigger space, and hard surfaces reflect the ambience that you are trying to achieve through your musical choices.

7.    Do not get left behind on Technology

Technology is no doubt changing the hospitality industry all over the Middle East, most especially in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. We have seen restaurants such as the Drink and Spice Magics Restaurant in Bur Dubai going as far as having robotic servers. To get to a level of maximum profitability that you desire, then you have to up your skills in the technological sector. It makes work much easier. It saves you precious time and it enables you to cut down on costs by replacing employees. Technology is more precise and fastens processes up.

Article originally published by Glee. Read the full article here, https://bit.ly/2HQegIS