Who’s FooDiva?
That’s me! A British-Greek-Cypriot resident of Dubai for 26+ years, I ditched a career in hospitality PR and marketing in 2011 to set up my own business – the impartial restaurant review website, FooDiva.net, collecting a steady stream of awards on the way.
Within five months of launching this Substack, it was ranked in the top 10 across the UAE - the only food publication to make this cut - as well as a no 48 GLOBAL ranking in Substack’s Rising Food & Drink category.
FooDiva has featured prolifically in local and international broadcast, print and online media including guest segments on CNN Culinary Journeys, CNN Go’s Dubai travel programme, France 5’s travel show on Dubai and Dubai TV. Furthermore, I take on freelance writing and broadcasting commissions, including for Conde Nast Traveller UK/ USA/ ME and Dubai Eye 103.8FM’s food programme.
With a gap in the market for a website and newsletter dedicated to impartial restaurant reviews with a no-freebies, no-invitations policy, FooDiva brings you a critique on where to dine and what to eat. More here on FooDiva’s editorial policy. Aside from restaurant reviews, you’ll find food features and culinary travel guides. At the start of the pandemic, I launched a pro bono social media campaign, #UAERestaurantsUnite to support the F&B industry, which has since morphed into a long-term strategy championing the country’s homegrown dining scene.
I am a Board Advisor to the UAE Restaurants Group, a member of the global writers association The Guild of Food Writers, and hold a WSET Level 2 wine and spirits qualification.
So what can you expect here?
For starters, occasional free-to-read newsletters and Where Restaurateurs Eat columns. You can leave comments on all the newsletters, pose questions and engage with other foodies.
If you would like to support entrepreneurs and impartial, opinion-led writing, I’d like to offer you additional content and perks for only $US8 a month, or US$80 a year. This helps my Substack grow, allowing me to continue to discover new restaurants for you:
Restaurant reviews and culinary travel guides.
Breaking restaurant news with analysis and opinion.
A PDF of my annual Dubai restaurant guide, and Google maps link to all featured restaurants.
Advance booking priority for FooDiva-curated dining experiences.
Invitations to FooDiva-hosted events.
A Whatsapp group where I can share links to newsletters, with settings restricted so only I can message you - and therefore avoiding message overload!
Bespoke restaurant recommendations for breakfast, lunch and/ or dinner according to your preferences. DM or email - and I will respond pronto.
Permanent access to the full archive to read newsletters at your leisure, not just when they land in your inbox.
In addition to all these perks, the top tier of Prime Membership gets you a one-hour private virtual meeting with me every year where you can pick my brains and ask me foodie questions.
What paid subscribers say
By way of background, I wear a few additional hats
Organisation and curation of ticketed dining experiences and invitation-only events and pop-ups for restaurants, corporate and private clients.
Chairing and moderating F&B sessions on my favourite subjects - food, restaurants and communications.
Organisation of press and industry fam trips to showcase a country’s food culture, a hospitality client and F&B products.
Opinion-driven strategic consultancy for F&B and hospitality businesses.
If you’d like to get in touch, feel free to message here, or on any of these channels.
FooDiva. x
