Skelmore Hospitality Group announces new ventures and strategic partnerships

Dubai UAE, November 5, 2015

Skelmore Hospitality Group will open its doors To Roberto’s in Abu Dhabi

Skelmore Hospitality Group is proud to announce the opening of Roberto’s Abu Dhabi, scheduled for the first quarter of 2016. 

Building on the success of Roberto’s Restaurant & Lounge, Dubai, Skelmore Hospitality Group will open their second venue in the United Arab Emirates on Maryah Island in the capital, at The Galleria mall, Abu Dhabi’s most luxurious shopping and entertainment destination.

Roberto’s, where guests experience La Dolce Vita in the UAE, will present a truly cosmopolitan experience for Abu Dhabi’s discerning culinary crowds.  While offering the signature Roberto’s experience of passionate service and gourmet food the new venue will offer its own distinct twist on the menu spearheaded by the new chief culinary advisor to the Skelmore Hospitality Group, two star Michelin Chef Enrico Bartolini.  

Roberto Abu Dhabi’s interiors are split in two parts, fine dining and lounge, each offering its own unique design features separate from each other and the pioneering Dubai location.  The main restaurant takes on an understated interpretation of classic Italian stylings while the lounge echo’s the modern design trademark found in Milan. 

“The opening of Roberto’s Abu Dhabi is an exciting chapter in the Skelmore Hospitality Group’s continuing success, and a further commitment to developing homegrown brands which contribute in a meaningful way the rise of the gastronomic landscape across the region, ”, says Mr. Amin Kadrie, chairman of The Skelmore Group.

Roberto’s Abu Dhabi will seat 325 and one of the largest venue on Maryah Island, open seven days a week from lunch until late with a dedicated valet at the Rosewood Hotel.

Skelmore Hospitality Group appoints 2-Star Michelin Chef Enrico Bartolini as Chief Culinary Advisor for the Roberto’s Group

Skelmore Hospitality Group is excited to announce the new appointment of celebrated two-star Michelin Chef Enrico Bartolini, of Devero Restaurant Italy, as Chief Culinary Advisor and Ambassador of the Roberto’s Group, as of November 1st 2015.

Bartolini has been part of the Roberto’s family since his first guest residency at the award-winning restaurant in 2014, for the Italian Cuisine World Summit. After returning to Roberto’s for the second year running this month, where he is creating an exclusive four-course menu over four-days this week, Skelmore Hospitality Group is thrilled to finally announce this joint venture with Enrico moving forward. 

Enrico achieved his first Michelin star at the age of 29 and his second at 33, becoming the youngest Italian chef in history to be recognized with two stars. He is known for his raw natural talent and ingenuity, which blends classic Italian dishes with contemporary techniques. 

“Skelmore Hospitality Group is a homegrown company with a vision of becoming a global player, and the addition of Enrico Bartolini to our already internationally accomplished team, further illustrates our commitment to this mission,” says Mr. Amin Kadrie, Chairman of The Skelmore Group. “Our vision of the future includes a lot more ‘content’ partners, who are the true stakeholders of the company. We believe in minority ownership and investing in this team further will be a strategy that we will wholeheartedly continue to develop,” he adds.

Bartolini’s new role at Skelmore Hospitality Group, will involve advising, creating and designing new dishes and menus for Roberto’s Group, including Roberto’s in DIFC and Roberto’s Abu Dhabi, which is set to open in the first quarter of 2016. Bartolini will introduce his skills & techniques and train the kitchen staff and chefs of the Roberto’s Group, enhancing the overall Italian culinary experience of guests and developing the level of Italian food served in the region. This joint venture will also see future flagship restaurants, both in the region and overseas, with Bartolini acting as a global ambassador of the brand.

“I am honored to be part of such a successful company, and will give my absolute best in terms of passion and professionalism in order to lead the company to even greater achievements in the future. My vision for the menu’s is to create contemporary dishes with classic flavours of my home country, Italy,” says Enrico Bartolini

Skelmore Hospitality’s strategic partnership with Enrico will support the development of the Roberto’s brand by marrying only the very best of Italian ingredients, with the very best of Italian recipes. Bartolini’s culinary techniques will be focused on creating unique dishes, which not only look good but taste incredible each and every time. Enrico is the perfect brand ambassador for Roberto’s because he reflects the Group’s DNA in respect to being world class, creative and the best that Italy offers, not only in the food, but in the service, the experience and the elegance.