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

Mohamed Hashem
Head of Human Resources
Wendy Griffith
Group Marketing Director
Loay Farhat
Head of Supply Chain
Shazia Ali
Legal Advisor

Leisure Quest Corporate Team

Olivier Ruche
Head of Beverage
Meghna Lakhani Talreja
Head of Lifestyle and Events
Johanna Ferrari
HR Business Partner
Teela Alas
Artistic Manager
Roberto Emilio Galarza
Brand Development Chef
Angelo Santi
TOTÓ Head Chef
Vincenzo Palermo
TOTÓ Speciality Pizzaiolo
Gabriela Sicha
TATEL & TOTÓ Sous Chef Pastry
Alejandro Maestro Villayandre
TATEL Head Chef
Ludovica Longobardi
Marketing Manager
Nikola Lemic
Bar Manager
Joaquin Padilla
TATEL Restaurant Manager
Yuliia Shcherbenko
Guest Relations Manager
Aleksandar Vucic
Security Manager