WORDS: OLIVIA MORRIS
Drive & Passion
Having had a passion for food since she was young, Natasha Sideris has become one of the most recognised figures in the F&B industry not only in her native South Africa but also the UAE 134 emirateswoman.com
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Natasha Sideris is a trailblazer. As one of the most recognised figures in the F&B industry in the UAE, she’s built some of the most beloved brands in the space in recent years. This drive and her ability to succeed in a male-dominated space is something Natasha has never even given a second thought; “People always ask me if it has been challenging as a woman in this industry,” she explains. “I guess I don’t think of it that way. It is a challenging business no matter who you are.” It was only natural for her to build a career in the F&B industry, with a father who was an esteemed chef in South Africa, where she is from, and a mother who loved to cook at home. However, having studied psychology at university she had intended to follow a different career path, “but the energy of being in the hospitality business got under my skin and I just couldn’t leave it”, she says. Under the umbrella of Tashas Group, the prolific restauranteur now has more than 24 locations across South Africa and the UAE. In particular, since the group’s integration into the UAE market in 2014, Tashas Group has expanded exponentially with the creation of two new fine-dining concepts – Flamingo Room by tashas and Avli by tashas. The opening of DIFC hotspot Avli also marked the restauranter’s foray into a new venture. Enter Galaxy Bar. “After a few lengthy discussions about having a private dining space within the restaurant, it became evident that it would be a missed opportunity not to do something utterly magical,” she explains. “Have you ever had the privilege to stare at the Aegean Sea at night-time; the shimmering stars, the smell, the absolute quietness? It is pure magic. We wanted to encapsulate some of these feelings and bring them to DIFC.” With a wealth of knowledge in the food industry, the Tashas Group founder has an incredible story to tell. Emirates Woman sat down with the restauranteur to learn all about her career history, how she became one of the leaders in the region’s F&B space, who her icons are in life and more. Can you talk us through your career history? I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. My father, Harry Sideris, was a great chef and a successful restauranteur. I literally grew up in this business, spending hours by my father’s side learning the tricks of the trade from a very young age. Before, during and after my time at university, where I studied psychology, I worked in restaurants. My intention was always to pursue another career but the energy of being in the hospitality business got under my skin and I just couldn’t leave it. Where does your love for food and cooking come from? My love of cooking comes from my family. While my father wasn’t a trained chef, his gift for combining flavours came
LIFESTYLE
8/31/21 3:30 PM
