Duncan Fraser-Smith

The author of CREATE TO PLATE, Duncan Fraser-Smith, a passionate accomplished Australian, boasts an impressive reputation as a dynamic innovator, disruptor and creator in the regional and international food and beverage scene. With over twenty-five years’ success in key management roles within the hotel and restaurant industry across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Australia include Hyatt, IHG, Fairmont / Raffles and he is also the founder of, The Cutting Edge Hospitality Agency. In 2008, Duncan left Australia and a progressive career in restaurant and bar operations, to take up his appointment as General Manager of Hospitality Operations at Qatar Sports City. Based in Dubai, UAE since 2010 and voted the No1 Influencer in the Food and Beverage Industry in the Middle East, his journey began as Group Director of Design, Food and Beverage for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) creating and developing food and beverage concepts for the group across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia In 2013, Duncan founded The Cutting Edge Hospitality Agency FZ LLC and was involved in some of the region’s most dynamic projects. He was instrumental in bringing acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton to open Marina Social in Dubai. He led the launch of CLE Restaurant and Bar with Michelin-starred chef Greg Malouf and executed one of Dubai’s most high-profile openings. He created the unique Intersect by Lexus concept, the second to open world-wide and launched Pierre Gagnaire’s Choix Patisserie to name a few. Duncan’s entrepreneurial spirit also led him to create a preferred partnership with Endemol Shine Group, the TV production company for MasterChef and The First Group to successfully launch “MasterChef the TV Experience” ‘screen to plate’ restaurant concept that creates an emotional connection between the consumer and the MasterChef Champions from across the globe. His contribution is sought after and well respected and he has been involved in the creation of over 250 hospitality concepts in the region. Duncan is an expert operator, forum moderator, panelist and an on-going contributing writer of some of the leading industry publications in the Middle East. Most recently, he is co-Founder of Craft Hospitality Group, a leading Hospitality Agency with projects across a MENA and Europe to date. His passion, vision, innovation and collaboration has brought many new hospitality concepts and brands to life and is an indication of his commitment to be in an industry that he loves.