Season 11 continues with another powerful voice in food: Solemann Haddad, Head Chef and Owner of Moonrise in Dubai.
At just 26, Solemann became the youngest chef in the region to earn a Michelin star, but his story is about more than accolades. From dropping out of university three weeks before graduating to building one of Dubai’s most talked about restaurants, Solemann has forged his path with ambition, honesty, and an uncompromising belief in identity.
In this conversation, Solemann shares why food must carry meaning beyond taste, how he motivates his team through vision and energy, and what it means to cook for a city that raised him. He opens up about Moonrise 2.0, the renovation that marks a new chapter, and why understanding Dubai’s ecosystem from farmers to supply chains to diners is essential for long-term success.
This is not just a story about a restaurant. It is about leadership, creativity, and building a food culture that reflects a city’s soul.
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What you will hear in this episode
• Dropping out of university and committing fully to becoming a chef
• The early chaos of starting Moonrise and learning on the road
• Why food identity matters more than copying global trends
• How to motivate a team and create a culture of care in the kitchen
• The philosophy behind Moonrise’s renovation and controlled growth
• Why Dubai’s ecosystem from farmers to suppliers must be supported
• Advice to chefs who want to align with the city’s energy and zeitgeist
• Lessons on leadership, creativity, and resilience
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and welcome to Season 11
05:00 Dropping out of university and choosing the kitchen
12:00 Building Moonrise and the chaos of early days
19:00 Finding an identity and the importance of food philosophy
27:00 Michelin star recognition and what it really meant
36:00 Leading a young team and motivating through culture
46:00 Supporting Dubai’s ecosystem and sourcing responsibly
1:00:00 Renovating Moonrise and the idea of controlled growth
1:20:00 Cooking for Dubai and reflecting the city’s energy
1:40:00 Lessons on leadership, resilience, and the future of Moonrise
1:56:00 Closing thoughts and gratitude to the hospitality community
Follow Solemann Haddad
Instagram: @solemann.xyz
Moonrise: https://www.instagram.com/moonrise.xyz/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpaccheco
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