Who’s FooDiva? That’s me! A British-Greek-Cypriot resident of Dubai for 25 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.
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, Dubai TV and a regular radio spot on Dubai Eye 103.8FM.
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, drink stories and culinary travel guides.
So what can you expect here?
For starters, occasional free-to-read newsletters, plus 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 impartial, independent writing and opinion, I’d like to offer you some 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 top Dubai restaurant guide.
Advance booking priority for FooDiva-curated dining experiences.
Invitations to FooDiva-hosted events.
Bespoke restaurant recommendations for breakfast, lunch and/ or dinner according to your preferences. DM, email or use the Chat messaging group - 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
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 curate ticketed and bespoke #ThreeChefsDinner and exclusive dining experiences, whilst also organising events and B2B fam trips for industry trade, chefs and media.
I am a freelance food/ travel writer (click here for my portfolio of feature articles); a Board Advisor to the UAE Restaurants Group; a member of the global writers association The Guild of Food Writers; in addition to holding a WSET Level 2 wine and spirits qualification. I am a regular speaker and panellist on my favourite subjects – food, restaurants and communications – as well as an industry awards judge. With my other hat, I provide opinion-driven strategic consultancy to F&B and hospitality businesses.
If you’d like to get in touch, feel free to message here, or on any of these channels.
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
