Meet Rizwan Kassim: Designing Culinary Experiences That Go Beyond the Plate

Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod. In Episode 8, we sit down with Rizwan Kassim, CEO Rikas and Paris Society International, the creative force behind some of the Middle East’s most exceptional dining destinations. From La Cantine du Faubourg to Mimi Kakushi, Ninive, and Lana Lusa, RIKAS has become synonymous with immersive, design-led hospitality.Since 2014, the group has opened 17 restaurant and beach club concepts, each rooted in storytelling, cultural nuance, and creative direction. With multiple venues now recognized by the Michelin Guide, and expansion underway across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Europe, and Morocco, Rizwan shares how emotion, atmosphere, and authenticity shape experiences that linger long after the last bite.Resources:Follow us here: @DesignPodDXBFollow Valeria: @ValeriaNushkaFollow Chad: @ChadAskariFind RIKAS Hospitality Group here: @rikasgroup