Gulf Hotels Group Expands Hospitality Portfolio with Launch of Gulf Catering

Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gulf Hotels Group (GHG), Bahrain’s leading hospitality group, has announced the launch of Gulf Catering, a dedicated hospitality and catering services company designed to deliver structured, scalable food and service solutions across institutional, corporate, and event–driven environments.

The launch marks a significant development in the Group’s evolution, translating more than five decades of experience in premium hospitality and restaurant operations into a fully integrated catering and hospitality platform. Over the years, Gulf Hotels Group has built a strong reputation for service excellence and food quality among individual and corporate consumers. With Gulf Catering, the Group is extending that trusted standard to a wider range of sectors through a clearly defined operating model and disciplined service framework.

Gulf Catering will provide catering and hospitality services to schools, universities, hospitals, corporate offices, industrial facilities, and large–scale events, in addition to serving individuals and private functions. The company operates under unified quality standards and structured processes designed to ensure consistency, safety, and reliability across all points of service, while preserving the creativity, experience quality, and diverse culinary offering—spanning both local and international cuisine—that define Gulf Hotels Group’s brands.

Central to Gulf Catering’s operations is a newly developed Central Kitchen, purpose–built to support high–volume, multi–site delivery. Designed as an advanced production hub aligned with leading international catering operations, the facility operates under strict quality control and food safety standards and is equipped to support complex, large–scale service requirements.

A key component of the Central Kitchen is a dedicated Research & Development (R&D) kitchen, reflecting global best practice in large–scale catering and hospitality operations. The R&D kitchen enables structured menu development, testing, and refinement, supporting innovation, standardisation, and localisation of offerings in line with sector–specific needs. This approach mirrors established models used by major catering platforms internationally, where continuous product development and operational testing are integral to maintaining quality at scale.

The Central Kitchen has been developed with a forward–looking operational vision, incorporating modern service models, including cloud kitchen capabilities. This allows Gulf Catering to deliver consistent service across multiple locations with speed, efficiency, and operational discipline, while remaining flexible to evolving market requirements.
Commenting on the launch, Ahmed Janahi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Hotels Group, said: “The launch of Gulf Catering represents a carefully considered step within a new vision for Gulf Hotels Group. Through this platform, we are translating more than five decades of experience in delivering premium food and hospitality into an integrated operating model that can function at scale and with higher operational efficiency. This initiative supports our strategy to diversify the Group’s business portfolio, strengthen our position in the hospitality sector, and deliver integrated solutions to institutions, corporates, and large–scale events.”

Raed Mayoof, General Manager of Gulf Catering, added: “Gulf Catering has been developed around an integrated operating model that prioritises food quality, safety, and service consistency across all operating locations. Supported by the Central Kitchen and a dedicated R&D capability, we are able to develop, test, and deliver menus that meet the operational and cultural needs of different sectors, while maintaining the service and food standards long associated with Gulf Hotels Group.”
The launch of Gulf Catering reinforces Gulf Hotels Group’s commitment to developing structured, future–ready operating models within the hospitality sector—models capable of meeting complex, multi–sector requirements while maintaining consistent quality, governance, and service delivery.

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The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet: the global coffee ranking will be unveiled in Madrid

The list will be announced on February 16 during CoffeeFest Madrid, after evaluating more than 15,000 coffee shops from around the world

A key benchmark for the global coffee community: over 800 industry experts and 350,000 public votes shaped the final ranking

The list reflects the rise of quality coffee in countries such as the United States, Australia, Colombia, Peru, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, Korea, UAE, Chile and Spain

MADRID, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The new edition of The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops with Davinci Gourmet will be officially announced on February 16 at 1:00 PM during CoffeeFest Madrid, the international event that brings together the best of the coffee world.

After evaluating more than 15,000 coffee shops worldwide and combining the insights of over 800 expert judges with 350,000 public votes, this ranking has become a global guide for specialty coffee and high–quality coffee experiences.

The list highlights both emerging and consolidated coffee scenes in countries such as the United States, Australia, Colombia, Peru, The Philippines and Spain, showcasing the strength of a global movement that continues to grow across regions.

“This ranking is more than just a list of exceptional coffee shops; it’s a snapshot of the cultural, creative, and professional moment coffee is experiencing around the world,” says César Ramírez, CEO of The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops with DaVinci Gourmet.

“Our partnership with The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and passion in the coffee world. As a global beverage solutions brand that champions the café culture and coffee community, we at DaVinci Gourmet are proud to support an initiative that recognises the most inspiring coffee shops on the planet — evaluated by experts, voted by coffee lovers,” says Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Foodservice Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

A global evaluation process

To ensure a fair, rigorous, and representative process, the ranking relies on an international jury made up of more than 800 professionals from the coffee and gastronomy sectors, who lead the evaluation in different regions around the world.

The selection process combines expert criteria (70%) and public voting (30%), ensuring a comprehensive, diverse, and representative perspective of the sector.

The evaluation criteria, applied uniformly around the world, are:

Coffee quality: The flavour profile, aroma, consistency, and use of high–quality beans are assessed.

Barista expertise: The skill and knowledge of baristas are key. Their ability to craft exceptional beverages, understand coffee origins, and master various preparation techniques is valued.

Sustainability practices: Commitment to ethically sourced beans, environmentally friendly practices, and local community engagement is considered.

Customer service: Exceptional service translates into a memorable experience. Staff attentiveness, friendliness, and knowledge are evaluated.

Ambience and atmosphere: The setting is crucial to the overall experience. Décor, seating layout, lighting, music, and the overall vibe of the place are all analysed.

Food and pastry quality: While coffee is the main focus, the quality and variety of accompanying food and pastries are also important.

Innovation: Coffee shops that stand out for their creativity, innovative brewing techniques, and unique offerings are recognised.

Consistency: Maintaining high standards of quality and service, regardless of the time or occasion, is essential.

The selected coffee shops stand out not only for their coffee offering, but also for their ability to deliver an integral, distinctive, and consistent experience over time.

The international jury is made up of leading figures from the coffee, gastronomy, and hospitality industries. Among the professionals leading the regional evaluations are Kat Melheim and Pack Katisomsakul (North America), Michalis Dimitrakopoulos and Dara Santana (Europe), Darveris Rivas (South America), Tanty Hartono, Sunghee Tark, and Mariam Erin (Asia and the Middle East), Jack Simpson (Oceania), and Jolie Marlene (Africa). This global committee ensures an inclusive and expert–driven perspective, capable of reflecting the richness, evolution, and diversity of the coffee ecosystem on a global scale.

A global stage: CoffeeFest Madrid

The award ceremony will take place during CoffeeFest Madrid 2026, Europe’s leading festival for quality coffee and trendsetting hospitality, which will be held from February 14 to 16 at IFEMA Madrid. Organised by Neodrinks, CoffeeFest is an international gathering for brands, roasters, professionals, and coffee lovers who want to stay at the forefront of global coffee culture.

About Neodrinks
Neodrinks is a platform focused on activating trends in hospitality, food & beverage, and commerce. It is behind leading industry initiatives such as The Drinks Show, Madrid Cocktail Week, Top Cocktail Bars, and CoffeeFest, and it organises the official championships of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) in Spain.

About DaVinci Gourmet

DaVinci Gourmet is a global beverage brand that emphasizes innovation and sustainability while offering beverage solutions for the Foodservice channels. At DaVinci Gourmet, our passion for coffee is at the heart of everything we do. We provide a vibrant palette of authentic flavors crafted from the highest quality ingredients, empowering drink artists to create their next masterpieces. ​

Sponsors

The 2026 edition of The World’s 100 Best with DaVinci Gourmet Coffee Shops is supported by DaVinci Gourmet as Global and Title Sponsor; Slayer, Markibar, Cropster, and CoffeeFest Madrid as Main Sponsors; and Fidatec and the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (Craft Specialty Coffees) as Sponsors. Their commitment strengthens the international reach of this initiative and reinforces coffee’s value as a cultural and gastronomic force.

Media inquiries or interviews:
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[email protected]


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