ZUMA Dubai today announced the appointment of Ajaz Sheikh as Director of
Operations for its outlet in The Gate Village at Dubai International Financial
Centre.
Sheikh recently relocated to Dubai to join the restaurant's dynamic team, which
is led by general manager Louis Abdilla. His extensive restaurant industry
experience includes working with three-Michelin starred chef Heinz Beck.
Prior to joining ZUMA, Sheikh managed the Food & Beverage operations at The
Lanesborough hotel in London. His five years' at The Lanesborough saw him make
major milestones, including bringing chef Beck to Apsleys restaurant - the first
restaurant created outside of Italy by Beck.
Sheikh oversaw the refurbishment of The Lanesborough's Garden Room and Cigar
Bar, which won the Cigar Bar the award for Best New Hotel Bar in the UK at the
prestigious Imbibe Hotel Awards 2009.
With a large influx of travellers from Middle East to the United Kingdom, Sheikh
met many customers from Dubai and the wider Gulf region and developed a better
understanding of the culture. Sheikh was also a frequent visitor to the UAE.
"Moving to Dubai was a great opportunity for me to be involved with the ZUMA
concept, as well as to broaden my horizons," said Sheikh.
His role will involve the day-to-day running of the busy Japanese restaurant,
continuing with ZUMA's growth and development, and servicing the restaurant's
broad clientele.
"ZUMA has enjoyed considerable success since its Middle East launch and we want
to build on that success and ensure we continue to provide our guests with the
impeccable levels of quality and service which have become synonymous with
ZUMA," added Sheikh.
ZUMA's international growth will continue in 2010, with the launch of a new
outlet at the EPIC Hotel in Downtown Miami, USA.
