Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference

14-16 April 2020 | Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, U.A.E

Speaker profile

Tom Arnel
Bull & Roo Hospitality & Investments

From Melbourne, Australia, Tom Arnel is a clear testament to the fact that with hard work, dedication, and a little creativity, you can achieve anything you set your mind to at any age, anywhere. Tom was the first apprentice chef taken on by Shannon Bennett for his modern French restaurant, Vue de Monde in Melbourne, winning the title of Australia’s best restaurant three years in a row and globally ranked as number 73.

In 2008 at age 22, Tom’s ambition and intent was clear, he wanted to be on top. Tom moved to Singapore where he was head chef of a modern French restaurant, before moving to San Sebastian, Spain to work at Arzak, the 3 Michelin star, 7th best restaurant in the world. Tom’s next move was to Muscat, Oman, where once again he worked for Shannon Bennett, opening his first overseas venture and signature restaurant, Vue by Shannon Bennett in Al Bustan Palace. It was during this time Tom was offered one of the only few paid positions in the kitchen of the world’s number 1 restaurant at the time, Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck.

With bigger aspirations of his own, Tom made the difficult decision to remain in the GCC due to the overwhelming business opportunities in the region. With this in early 2010, Tom moved to Abu Dhabi as the Executive Chef for an Australian based fine food retailer and restaurant. It was during this role after much research and consideration he decided to branch out on his own and open Tom&Serg, his first Dubai café in November 2013.

The focus of the café is on serving good, honest, casual food with great coffee in a relaxed space. The outlet has filled a gap within the F&B scene in the city and appeals to both the local community and international visitors alike.

7 restaurants later, the world is now his oyster.