Latest news with #GreatList
Web Release
12 hours ago
- Business
- Web Release
GreatList and Dubai College of Tourism Announce Annual Scholarship for Aspiring Culinary Talents
International restaurant guide GreatList has entered into a long-term partnership with the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), a part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), to support the next generation of hospitality professionals. As part of this collaboration, the GreatList by Alexander Sysoev Scholarship will be awarded annually to outstanding students pursuing careers in culinary arts and gastronomy. Open to current students completing their Certificate in Culinary Arts at DCT, and to future students enrolling in the course, the scholarship recognises academic merit, creativity, passion, and dedication to the culinary profession. The scholarship will award one outstanding DCT student with a full tuition scholarship to progress to the first year of the Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts, while a second promising student will receive a 50% tuition scholarship. All funding will be provided directly by GreatList, reflecting the organisation's long-term commitment to nurturing talent within the global gastronomy sector. This partnership with GreatList helps to prepare culinary arts students for real-life experience in the workplace, and provides them with the skills needed to thrive in one of the world's fastest-growing industries. 'This initiative reflects what we believe is the true mission of a modern restaurant guide,' says Alexander Sysoev, founder of GreatList. 'It's not just about recognising the best restaurants today — it's about investing in those who will define excellence tomorrow. Supporting young culinary talent today means creating 10, 20, even 30 extraordinary restaurants in the future.' 'This partnership with GreatList represents a significant advancement in our commitment to delivering world-class hospitality education,' says Elham Bolooki, Senior Experiential Learning Manager, Dubai College of Tourism (DCT). 'Supporting our mission to nurture and empower the next generation of hospitality professionals, this collaboration aligns with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai's position as a leading global destination for business and leisure. Through the GreatList by Alexander Sysoev Scholarship, we are not only recognising our students' academic excellence and passion, but also equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to excel in an increasingly competitive and innovative industry.' This strategic alliance between GreatList and DCT – a world-class vocational college that delivers full-time certificate and advanced diploma courses in tourism, hospitality, culinary arts, and events – underscores a shared vision to empowering young talent and elevating standards across the hospitality industry. For more information about GreatList and DCT, please visit: and
Gulf Business
27-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Great List debuts in Dubai: A curated dining guide for business and leisure
Alexander Sysoev, founder, Great List As Dubai welcomes Great List , an international city guide catering to high-quality dining experiences, Gulf Business sat down with its founder, Alexander Sysoev, to explore its unique offering. Dubai is a hub for businesspeople who value exceptional dining, whether for meetings, networking, or leisure. How does Great List cater to this audience, and what sets it apart from other dining guides? The primary purpose of is to highlight venues where food, design, atmosphere, and service all meet the readers' highest standards. Our team of experts dedicates their time to conducting multiple anonymous restaurant visits, typically between three to four times, to thoroughly review the customer experience and ensure a comprehensive evaluation. If at any point a restaurant fails to meet our carefully listed criteria, the venue does not make it onto Great List's website. We also offer tailored categories to suit various occasions, whether you're meeting colleagues at a café, celebrating a deal at a smart casual venue, or hosting a potential business meeting at one of our recommended spots. Our features showcase only the finest establishments. Can you name a few F&B places featured on Great List that will excite international visitors or impress Dubai's seasoned food lovers? Here's a personal selection from the list, offering a great variety across different categories: Fine Dining: The newly opened FZN by Björn Frantzén, Row on 45, the omakase menu at Takahisa, and the latest tasting menu at Trèsind Studio. Smart Casual: Highlighting homegrown brands such as Adaline for its fantastic supper club, Bungalo 34 for its vibrant beachside experience, Mimi Kakushi for its unique atmosphere and bar, and Jun's with its complex, multi-layered flavours. City Café: Sufret Maryam and Em Sherif for their classic Levantine cuisine, Tribal for its organic ingredients, The Grey—where there's always a queue outside, and Brix Café, which recently represented the UAE in Davos. Do your recommendations cover the entire UAE, or are you initially focusing on Dubai? At present, we are focused on Dubai, but we are actively exploring expansion opportunities in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, we have recently launched a guide for Doha (Qatar) and operate in six major cities across Russia. Does Great List provide insights beyond just where to eat—such as the best dishes to order, exclusive chef insights, or other recommendations? (OR: Many business travellers and executives seek seamless, high-quality dining experiences. What features do you offer to assist them?) When the concept of Great List was first developed, a strong focus was placed on incorporating unique elements to make it both personal and insightful. For example, the 'Chef Recommends' section was introduced to highlight the personal recommendations of chefs, featuring four to five signature dishes from each venue. Additionally, exclusive video content with chefs is shared on Instagram ( ) to further engage the audience. Recognising the importance of those working behind the scenes, nearly every restaurant profile includes details about the restaurateur and chef, offering insights into their background and adding a personal touch to the platform. Another key aspect was ensuring diners feel well-prepared for their experience. This led to the introduction of a dedicated 'Dress Code' section, along with other helpful features such as recommendations on the best tables to book and curated playlists from the restaurants. Are there any upcoming developments for Great List , such as expansion into other Middle Eastern cities or new features for Dubai users? Looking ahead, we plan to expand Great List to more countries in the region, as well as launch new editions in Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Additionally, we are receiving growing interest from CIS countries. We will also be hosting culinary events featuring top chefs from the cities included in our guide. For example, this summer, we plan to bring chefs from Dubai and Doha to Moscow, while in the autumn, we aim to roll out even more extensive events showcasing top chefs in every country where the guide is available. Looking further ahead to 2026, we have the vision to create the Great List Club —a combination of a concierge service and a premium privilege programme.
Khaleej Times
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Discovering Great List: Curated Guide to Dubai's Best Restaurants and Hidden Gems
Whether you're searching for the latest fine dining hotspots or local hidden treasures, the expert- reviewed guide provides a curated selection of Dubai's best restaurants Dubai's dining scene is ever evolving, and Great List is here to help food lovers navigate it. Unlike traditional guides, Great List features a handpicked selection of top restaurants, reviewed anonymously and categorised for every occasion. WKND sat down with Alexander Sysoev, founder of Great List, to uncover why it's set to become Dubai's go-to dining guide. Great List has already gained recognition as a go-to dining guide in other markets, and now it has finally arrived in Dubai. Can you tell us more about the concept? We have created a guide for true foodies who travel frequently. We realised that it is difficult to compare completely different places, whether it's a chef's table or a street food café. That's why we adopted a more meticulous selection process, putting candidates through an extensive review before making the cut. Our selection process is handled by a team of 57 people who visit restaurants anonymously and conduct at least two to three visits before making a decision. To make things easier for guests, we have categorised restaurants for different occasions, from fine dining to coffee spots. In addition to this, we offer several key features: we track the best new openings, produce a wealth of video content where chefs personally recommend dishes (check our Instagram account @greatlistguide), and even publish restaurant playlists on Spotify. With this approach, we have created the perfect selection for those who love dining out, frequently visit F&B places, and appreciate the highest level of quality in every aspect - from food to atmosphere. Can you tell us more about the chef tours? Of course! I want to start with tours featuring Dubai's top chefs—their level of expertise is exceptionally high, and I am eager to showcase this in other countries. The goal is twofold: to introduce HNWI clients to the best dishes and personalities from Dubai and to provide another compelling reason to visit the city. It's my dream to introduce Dubai's top chefs to international audiences. In mid-March, we will begin negotiations with Orfali Brothers, Moonrise, Bait Maryam, Kinoya, Mimi Kakushi, Alaya, Brix, Arabian Tea House, Fish Market, Teible, and other leading homegrown concepts. What are some of the key features that make Great List stand out from other dining guides? At we answer many of the key questions that guests often ask. For example, when visiting a new restaurant, diners may not always know what to order. To help with this, each restaurant profile includes recommendations of four to five signature dishes personally suggested by the chef. We also provide guidance on dress codes and even suggest the best tables to book. Moreover, we value the people behind each restaurant. That is why every listing includes profiles of chefs and restaurateurs, along with their connections to other projects. This allows users to discover, for example, that the incredible chef Salam Dakkak not only runs Bait Maryam but also Sufret Maryam - both featured in our guide. Great List is known for its selective approach. How do you determine which restaurants make the cut? We evaluate a wide range of factors: first and foremost, the food, but also service, atmosphere, design, and the overall customer journey. We believe that dining should always be an exceptional experience, so every restaurant on our list is a standout, stylish destination with an outstanding ambiance. Our team also conducts repeat visits and closely monitors staff changes. For instance, if a restaurant's head chef leaves, we immediately remove the venue from the list until we reassess it. One of our most important sections is NEW, where we feature candidates for the guide. These are brand-new openings that have demonstrated phenomenal performance within their first month. After six months, our team re-evaluates whether the restaurant has maintained its quality and decides whether to officially include it in the guide. This way, even frequent visitors to Dubai can always stay updated on the best new dining spots. Does Great List cater to all types of diners, from fine-dining enthusiasts to those seeking hidden gems? We appreciate all types of dining establishments, as they collectively shape the city's gastronomic scene. Street food and casual cafés are just as important as grand fine dining venues. Of course, hidden gems are a special discovery for foodies as well. That is why we seek out cosy cafés inside boutiques (like Villa Margot or IYKYK), recognise the iconic sandwiches at Rascals, and stand in line for a table at ZaZa or Bkry. Each of these places fully meets our criteria within its segment, ensuring a high-quality experience no matter the price point. For someone new to Great List, what's the best way to use the platform to discover and enjoy the best dining experiences in Dubai? Users generally follow three main approaches when navigating the platform: 1. Browsing by category – For instance, those searching for a date night spot often explore sections like Smart Casual or Fine Dining. 2. Exploring by chef or restaurateur – Many users start by looking up their favourite restaurants and then explore other venues by the same chef or hospitality group. If someone loves Mimi Kakushi, for example, they are likely to be interested in other Rikas Hospitality Group establishments. 3. Using the map feature – Another convenient way to find great spots is by opening the map and seeing what's nearby. What has the response been like from Dubai's restaurant community since Great List launched in the city? I am truly grateful for the warm reception we have received from the industry. Many restaurants have already displayed our metal award plaques at their entrances, and posts about Great List are frequently reshared by both industry professionals and users. Beyond that, we have seen a surge in user-generated content (UGC) from guests who discovered restaurants through the guide, which is incredibly rewarding!
Khaleej Times
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Great List Is Here — And It's Changing the Way You Dine
Whether you're searching for the latest fine dining hotspots or local hidden treasures, the expert- reviewed guide provides a curated selection of Dubai's best restaurants Dubai's dining scene is ever evolving, and Great List is here to help food lovers navigate it. Unlike traditional guides, Great List features a handpicked selection of top restaurants, reviewed anonymously and categorised for every occasion. WKND sat down with Alexander Sysoev, founder of Great List, to uncover why it's set to become Dubai's go-to dining guide. Great List has already gained recognition as a go-to dining guide in other markets, and now it has finally arrived in Dubai. Can you tell us more about the concept? We have created a guide for true foodies who travel frequently. We realised that it is difficult to compare completely different places, whether it's a chef's table or a street food café. That's why we adopted a more meticulous selection process, putting candidates through an extensive review before making the cut. Our selection process is handled by a team of 57 people who visit restaurants anonymously and conduct at least two to three visits before making a decision. To make things easier for guests, we have categorised restaurants for different occasions, from fine dining to coffee spots. In addition to this, we offer several key features: we track the best new openings, produce a wealth of video content where chefs personally recommend dishes (check our Instagram account @greatlistguide), and even publish restaurant playlists on Spotify. With this approach, we have created the perfect selection for those who love dining out, frequently visit F&B places, and appreciate the highest level of quality in every aspect - from food to atmosphere. Can you tell us more about the chef tours? Of course! I want to start with tours featuring Dubai's top chefs—their level of expertise is exceptionally high, and I am eager to showcase this in other countries. The goal is twofold: to introduce HNWI clients to the best dishes and personalities from Dubai and to provide another compelling reason to visit the city. It's my dream to introduce Dubai's top chefs to international audiences. In mid-March, we will begin negotiations with Orfali Brothers, Moonrise, Bait Maryam, Kinoya, Mimi Kakushi, Alaya, Brix, Arabian Tea House, Fish Market, Teible, and other leading homegrown concepts. What are some of the key features that make Great List stand out from other dining guides? At we answer many of the key questions that guests often ask. For example, when visiting a new restaurant, diners may not always know what to order. To help with this, each restaurant profile includes recommendations of four to five signature dishes personally suggested by the chef. We also provide guidance on dress codes and even suggest the best tables to book. Moreover, we value the people behind each restaurant. That is why every listing includes profiles of chefs and restaurateurs, along with their connections to other projects. This allows users to discover, for example, that the incredible chef Salam Dakkak not only runs Bait Maryam but also Sufret Maryam - both featured in our guide. Great List is known for its selective approach. How do you determine which restaurants make the cut? We evaluate a wide range of factors: first and foremost, the food, but also service, atmosphere, design, and the overall customer journey. We believe that dining should always be an exceptional experience, so every restaurant on our list is a standout, stylish destination with an outstanding ambiance. Our team also conducts repeat visits and closely monitors staff changes. For instance, if a restaurant's head chef leaves, we immediately remove the venue from the list until we reassess it. One of our most important sections is NEW, where we feature candidates for the guide. These are brand-new openings that have demonstrated phenomenal performance within their first month. After six months, our team re-evaluates whether the restaurant has maintained its quality and decides whether to officially include it in the guide. This way, even frequent visitors to Dubai can always stay updated on the best new dining spots. Does Great List cater to all types of diners, from fine-dining enthusiasts to those seeking hidden gems? We appreciate all types of dining establishments, as they collectively shape the city's gastronomic scene. Street food and casual cafés are just as important as grand fine dining venues. Of course, hidden gems are a special discovery for foodies as well. That is why we seek out cosy cafés inside boutiques (like Villa Margot or IYKYK), recognise the iconic sandwiches at Rascals, and stand in line for a table at ZaZa or Bkry. Each of these places fully meets our criteria within its segment, ensuring a high-quality experience no matter the price point. For someone new to Great List, what's the best way to use the platform to discover and enjoy the best dining experiences in Dubai? Users generally follow three main approaches when navigating the platform: Browsing by category – For instance, those searching for a date night spot often explore sections like Smart Casual or Fine Dining. Exploring by chef or restaurateur – Many users start by looking up their favourite restaurants and then explore other venues by the same chef or hospitality group. If someone loves Mimi Kakushi, for example, they are likely to be interested in other Rikas Hospitality Group establishments. Using the map feature – Another convenient way to find great spots is by opening the map and seeing what's nearby. What has the response been like from Dubai's restaurant community since Great List launched in the city? I am truly grateful for the warm reception we have received from the industry. Many restaurants have already displayed our metal award plaques at their entrances, and posts about Great List are frequently reshared by both industry professionals and users. Beyond that, we have seen a surge in user-generated content (UGC) from guests who discovered restaurants through the guide, which is incredibly rewarding!
