Our Team
Karim Hajjali
Chief Executive Officer
Karim has over 15 years of extensive and successful leadership experience with a diverse international franchising background in F&B.
As CEO and Board Member of Food Quest, Karim has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to the industry. He was featured in the Caterer Middle East Power 50 list in 2020, 2022 and 2023. In 2023, he received the Executive Of The Year award from the Global Excellence Assembly in New York, and most recently, he was bestowed with the title of Tastemaker of the Year at the Caterer Awards 2023.
Ruben Martinez
General Manager
Ruben is equipped with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Having held management positions in top-notch world-renowned locations across Europe & the Middle East, he has an extensive background in all areas of hospitality including fine dining restaurants, hotels, late night entertainment, events and beach clubs. Ruben has worked with world famous brands such as Play Restaurant & Lounge, SOHO London, Gotha, Nikki Beach & Blue Marlin Ibiza. Ruben is an industry expert specializing in pre-opening, planning and execution. His area of expertise includes assisting owners and stakeholders in the development of new concepts, from feasibility studies to setting up and leading successful operations.
Under his leadership, properties have won multiple hospitality awards including:
- Hot list 2020 – The best new hotels in Europe by Conde Nast Traveler
- What’s On Awards Dubai 2019 - Favourite Beach Day Winner
- Time Out Dubai Music & Nightlight Awards 2019
- Time Out Award 2019 - Best Outdoor Restaurant
Jonathan Harris
Chief Financial Officer
Jonathan is a successful operational CFO with over 30 years of international experience in food, FMCG, luxury and B2B. His notable achievements include strategy development and implementation, improving financial performance and control, mergers and acquisitions/ disposals, implementing computer partnership and partnership negotiations.
Corporate Leadership Team
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Mohamed Hashem
Head of Human Resources
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Wendy Griffith
Group Marketing Director
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Loay Farhat
Head of Supply Chain
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Shazia Ali
Legal Advisor
Leisure Quest Corporate Team
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Olivier Ruche
Head of Beverage
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Johanna Ferrari
HR Business Partner
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Teele Alas
Artistic Manager
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Roberto Emilio Galarza
Brand Development Chef
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Angelo Santi
TOTÓ Head Chef
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Vincenzo Palermo
TOTÓ Speciality Pizzaiolo
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Gabriela Sicha
TATEL & TOTÓ Sous Chef Pastry
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Alejandro Maestro Villayandre
TATEL Head Chef
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Ludovica Longobardi
Marketing Manager
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Nikola Lemic
Bar Manager
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Joaquin Padilla
TATEL Restaurant Manager
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Yuliia Shcherbenko
Guest Relations Manager
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Aleksandar Vucic
Security Manager