In its inaugural year, the Opening of the Year Award presented by Mastercard is bestowed upon MICHELIN-selected restaurant, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen. Within a matter of months, Iranian celebrity chef Ariana Bundy’s brainchild has cemented itself in Dubai’s rich gastronomic environment.
Her pursuit to bring elevated Persian cuisine and showcase her culture under a different light is more than apparent - not only through her dishes, but also through her staff, the restaurant’s décor and ingredients. An ideal partner to present this award, Mastercard’s vision and philosophy is to create priceless and unforgettable experiences for people, which is also at the core of Ariana’s Persian Kitchen. Both Mastercard and Bundy strive to connect their customers and guests to their passion for culinary excellence.
We had the chance to speak to Ariana Bundy to know more about the significance of receiving the award, her culinary journey thus far and what her plans are for the future.
Bundy’s gastronomic roots originate from Iran and draws inspiration from her family’s homegrown recipes. Throughout her career, the Iranian chef has aimed to highlight her culture in the best way she can, especially through her food. It comes as no surprise that the concept behind Ariana’s Persian Kitchen is her way of telling the stories of the magic she grew up around.
“I just thought if we can't take people to Iran, I wanted to bring Iran to Dubai in a way. I wanted to bring that hospitality, the love of good food, the sharing and the other beautiful stuff that you don't get to see on the news.”
Set in Atlantis The Royal hotel’s ground floor, the restaurant’s overall ambiance exudes warmth and upscale Iranian décor. Guests can enjoy sitting under domes carved out to emulate signature Iranian geometric architecture, dining in a private area lit up by coloured glass windows and sip on their drinks in the restaurant’s Persian style courtyard. “I wanted to share that feeling with people when they sit under those domes back home and when they enjoy drinks that I serve in my courtyard. I just wanted people to feel that magic,” she says. “I went all Kashan in terms of creating the domes, the windows, the everything and just wanted to have that atmosphere brought to Dubai.”
Championing authentic dishes with a ‘literal rainbow of flavours’ as our Inspectors described, Bundy ensures she uses healthier ingredients and cooking methods. She avoids use of additives and preservatives, and tries to source things from specific areas in Iran with a farm to table concept in mind. While Bundy’s attention to detail brings something new to Persian cuisine, it highlights her memories of home in the best way possible.
The magic of Iran’s culture also inspires her service. Upon arrival, you are greeted with the warmth and professionalism that both Iran and Bundy take pride in. “I want my team to feel like they're welcoming guests into my home and into their home,” Bundy says describing how she envisions her service method.
“It’s a way of making everyone see that we're all connected by food and every guest that comes through the door is connected to their childhood memories. We're responsible to give them that journey where they feel special and that they're tapping into an old memory or creating a new one.”
In line with Mastercard’s commitment to creating meaningful connections with consumers by tapping into their passions, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen has earned the Opening of the Year Award through its dedication to making sure that its diners leave with a lasting impact. Ariana Bundy’s main goal is to create priceless moments for her guests by connecting them to her Persian heritage. With that in mind, she hopes to continue honing her craft and showcasing Persian cuisine in different ways. For those hoping to follow in her footsteps, Bundy says, “time is of the essence, and you need to plan your life because it's all-consuming in a good way.”
The Opening of Year Award presented by Mastercard is a way to honour restauranteurs and chefs who create a great gastronomic impact within its first year of opening. Ariana’s Persian Kitchen leaves guests with an unforgettable experience from the moment they enter until they leave. In passionately bringing Iranian culture to life through food, hospitality and décor, this Special Award winner ticks all the boxes.
