BIG ON HOSPITALITY

Delivering exceptional experiences, Big On Hospitality aims to shape the future of the region's hospitality and leisure industries, becoming the leading boutique hospitality management company in the Middle East. Big On Hospitality is a major shareholder in Whissle, a full service consultancy, with a dynamic team of highly motivated, multi-cultural and experienced individuals, who are able to provide a results-oriented approach by creating brands, executing and managing their operations in their entirety.

Additional hospitality services offered by Whissle include oversight and daily management of all aspects including full marketing and PR (via a partnership with the prestigious Sept PR), feasibility studies, fiscal management, training, menu creation, turnarounds, human resourcing and localization.

Brands currently under management in Dubai by Whissle include:

OKKU Luxury Japanese Restaurant and Lounge which has been awarded more than 45 accolades since it opened over five years ago. www.okkudubai.com

RIVA Ristorante, Bar and Beach Club, a much-lauded Palm Jumeirah hotspot, opened in association with IFA Hotels & Resorts. www.riva-beach.com

Sophie's award winning Gastro Café, a local favourite concentrating on home-style, fresh and healthy food. www.sophiesme.com

CLAW BBQ, Crabshack & Grill embodies America's favourite eateries featuring Southern hospitality and fun at its best with a BBQ smoker and all the US eats and treats that diners crave. www.clawbbq.com

Cielo Sky Lounge, offering up expertly-mixed al fresco drinks, stunning sunset views of the picturesque Dubai Creek and Dubai Skyline and world-class entertainment, opened in association with the Al Wasl Asset Management Group. www.cielodubai.com

Casa de Tapas, a fully licensed Bodega-style venue specialising in painstakingly made rustic Spanish cuisine offering up signature paellas and traditional tapas, opened in association with the Al Wasl Asset Management Group. Casa de Tapas

The Whissle team has international aspirations and aims to take their brands overseas. There are plans to open over 50 Sophie's outlets in the Middle East whilst locations being targeted for OKKU openings in the next two years include London, Ibiza, Doha and Mumbai. The team have also fine-tuned- 2 'diffusion' concepts, OKKU Beach & Grill and an Izakaya concept by the name of Ruru by OKKU both set for roll out in Dubai imminently. Two more CLAW BBQ openings are being planned for 2015, with 20 CLAW BBQ outlets targeted to be opened in the next five years in the Middle East alone.

Several other brands and announcements are also in the pipeline so watch this space!