Business of Iftar buffets and Suhoor during Ramadan with Chedi Al Bait (17.2.26)

February 17, 2026·12 min·1 clip

How does a luxury hotel start planning its Ramadan buffets six months in advance?

The segment is a promotional interview with Marilu Olvera, General Manager of Chedi Al Bait, a heritage hotel located in the cultural district of Sharjah, recorded during Ramadan 2026. Olvera explains that preparation for Ramadan begins months in advance — her colleagues Imad and sous chef Omran started planning in October, sourcing ingredients from suppliers and designing the menu to reflect traditional Ramadan cuisine. The main hotel restaurant will offer an iftar buffet priced from 195 dirhams per person, open to hotel guests, families, and walk-in visitors. A separate private venue is available for corporate groups booking 60 or more guests, with flexible pricing for larger events. The suhoor offering is a la carte and available to hotel guests without a minimum consumption requirement, running from around 9pm to 10:30-11pm. Olvera also highlights Nomani, the hotel's Japanese and Korean restaurant near reception, which will offer iftar in a different style — focusing on hot dishes and grills — with a 20% discount on the a la carte menu throughout Ramadan. When asked about food waste — a common concern with buffet-style iftar events — Olvera explains the hotel uses daily occupancy forecasting and requires bookings for all Ramadan events, allowing the kitchen to order only what is needed. She notes the hotel recently received Green Key certification in recognition of its food waste minimization practices. The traditional buffet menu will focus on Emirati and regional dishes including uzi as Olvera's personal favourite, alongside traditional salads and desserts, in a setting surrounded by museums and near the first Quranic school, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual significance of the location. The hotel will also offer live music entertainment in the restaurant during the season. Olvera closes by announcing the upcoming opening of a new conference and events center, Al Beta Wasdeep, planned for Q2. Located adjacent to the hotel near the Sharjah fort, the center includes a ballroom for weddings and conferences and technologically equipped meeting rooms in a restored heritage building.

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