Restaurant Consultants in the UAE — From Concept to Launch

Build a restaurant that is ready to perform from day one. Harris•Aoki provides restaurant consulting in the UAE across menu development, kitchen operations, supplier organization, chef training, and pre-opening and post-opening support, led by chefs with hands-on industry experience.

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Harris•Aoki is a leading restaurant consultant in the UAE, working with cafes, hotel groups and restaurants across the GCC. Built by chefs, for operators. We develop menus, train kitchen teams and take concepts from idea to open doors, with the operational rigour that keeps them running long after launch.

Behind the consultancy are two practitioners who have spent their careers inside real kitchens: Ryan Harris, an award-winning Pastry Chef and Consultant who has worked alongside Michelin-starred teams worldwide, and Shawn Aoki, a culinary strategist who has shaped menus for global luxury hotel brands. Together, they bring both creative direction and commercial discipline to every engagement.

Restaurant Consulting Services We Offer in the UAE

Business and operations support for owners, hotel groups, and investors, coordinated with our chef consulting team on the food side.

CHEF DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

Chef & Menu Consulting

Chef development training, menu development, and recipe creation are handled by our dedicated chef consulting team, coordinated as part of your project.
MENU DEVELOPMENT RECIPE CREATION

MENU DEVELOPMENT RECIPE CREATION

We create menus and standardized recipes aligned with your concept, target customers, kitchen capability, and commercial goals.
PRE OPENING POST OPENING SUPPORT

Pre-Opening & Post-Opening Support

We prepare kitchen teams and operating systems before opening, then provide practical support during launch and the early weeks of service.
Online Hospitality Consultant in UAE 1

Online Hospitality Consultants

Remote menu reviews, recipe guidance, cost reviews, and kitchen team support for operators outside the UAE or between on-site visits.
SUPPLIER-ORGANIZATION-COST-SAVINGS-SOLUTIONS

Supplier Organisation & Cost Savings Solutions

We audit your current supplier contracts line by line, benchmark against UAE market rates, and renegotiate or replace where margin is being lost.
Kitchen Design Equipment Guidance

Kitchen Design & Equipment Guidance

We review kitchen layouts and equipment lists against the menu, workflow, service style, and production needs, then provide practical recommendations for the design and fit-out team.

Our Restaurant Consulting Process

A fixed six-step sequence, from first call to post-launch support.

Discovery Call

We map your concept, budget and timeline, and confirm whether you need a full build-out or targeted support in one area.

Proposal & Scope

A written brief confirming deliverables, timeline and fee before any work begins - no open-ended retainers.

Menu Development & Recipe Creation

We develop each recipe based on the agreed menu, selecting and balancing ingredients, quantities, preparation methods, and dish composition to achieve the intended flavor and quality.

Kitchen Design and Equipment Guidance

Kitchen layout, workflow, and equipment recommendations are developed to support the menu and day-to-day operations.

Chef Development & Kitchen Training

We train the kitchen team on developed recipes, preparation, execution, consistency, workflow, and service readiness.

Post-Opening & Ongoing Support

Provide post-opening support to maintain consistency and operational standards, identify performance gaps, and address day-to-day challenges.

Why Choose Our Restaurant Consultants

UAE & GCC MARKET EXPERIENCE

Our recommendations reflect local supplier availability, operating conditions, and guest expectations across the UAE and GCC.

CHEF-LED, PRACTICAL SUPPORT

Our projects are led by chefs with professional kitchen experience. We work directly with your team to develop, test, and implement the agreed menu and operating standards.

TRUSTED SUPPLIER NETWORK

Established UAE and GCC supplier relationships mean faster sourcing and better rates than a first-time operator negotiates alone.

From Local Cafes to Global Hospitality Brands

Restaurant consulting work across independent cafes, catering, and multi-outlet F&B brands in the UAE and GCC.

Why Harris•Aoki?

Who Our Restaurant Consultants Help

Owners, general managers, F&B directors and executive chefs each use our restaurant consultants differently, from full launch oversight to a single cost review.

Owners

GMs

F&B Directors

Executive Chefs

OUR CASE STUDIES

Sokara Muscat

SOKARA

Sokara began as a family-driven venture, a café concept designed to showcase trendy, interactive desserts, with a flower shop integrated into the space. Located in Muscat, Oman, the concept brings both elements together in a seamless and cohesive environment.

Marasi

Marasi House

Marasi House opened its first location in Downtown Dubai with a simple idea in mind to create a neighborhood café where people could come for good coffee, thoughtful food, and a relaxed place to spend time.

Restaurant Consultants Across the Globe

Providing on-site and remote restaurant consulting services to hospitality businesses across the GCC and the wider Middle East.

What Our Partners Say

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Haissam Saad profile picture
Haissam Saad
14 October 2026
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It was a pleasure working with the Harris & Aoki. He understood our concept, developed a well-balanced and creative menu, and provided valuable professional guidance throughout the process. We truly appreciate his expertise, flexibility, and commitment to delivering quality results.
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Fatima Al Ameri profile picture
Fatima Al Ameri
4 September 2026
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Working with Harris Aoki has genuinely been one of the best decisions we have made since beginning our journey of opening an F&B business. From the very beginning, their team has been incredibly supportive, professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. Opening a new F&B concept comes with so many moving parts and challenges, and having the right people supporting you makes such a difference. We are extremely grateful to Harris Aoki for their guidance and contribution throughout the process. Our experience with them has been nothing but positive, and we would without a doubt choose to work with Harris Aoki again on another project in the future. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking to open or develop an F&B concept.
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Khalfan Hamood
19 May 2026
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Its the first time dealing with Harris•Aoki Hospitality, and I can sadly say that I regret not starting my F&B business with them, they are great guys all the way.
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Saeed Al kalbani profile picture
Saeed Al kalbani
1 May 2026
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I’ve worked with Harris Aoki Hospitality three times for menu development, and every experience has been outstanding. A big thank you to Ryan for his professionalism, creativity, and continuous support throughout the process. He really takes the time to understand the concept and helps create menus that are unique, practical, and aligned with business goals. Always a great experience working with the team
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Cody Trinks
10 January 2026
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This service was outstanding from start to finish. Communication was clear, timely, and professional, making the entire experience seamless and stress-free. Every detail was handled with care, and it was obvious that quality and customer satisfaction are top priorities. The food and presentation exceeded expectations everything was fresh, flavorful, and delivered exactly as promised. The team was reliable, accommodating, and a pleasure to work with, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Highly recommend this service to anyone looking for dependable, high-quality hospitality and food service. We would absolutely use them again
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Yasin Allam
10 March 2025
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great end to end consulting services. Shawn, Ryan and Mariam have been amazing in helping us bring a UK fast food chain to UAE and have helped us in the setup of the kitchen, menu development, supplier selection, ingredient and build and with staff training. We will be working with them again in the future and i can highly recommend them to any small, mid or large sized restaurant or chain wanting to expand into the GCC region. Thanks Ryan, Shawn and Mariam and Team for the great work and help..
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Maria Asaad
12 February 2025
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Partnering with Harris x Aoki has been one of the best decisions for our bakery, and without a doubt, we would do it again. These chefs are masters of their craft, bringing an unmatched level of experience, artistry, and professionalism that truly set them apart. They didn’t just assist us - they equipped us with everything we needed, from menu development and market analysis to kitchen setup, supplier sourcing, and staff training. Their guidance during our pre-opening phase was nothing short of exceptional, ensuring we were fully prepared to operate at the highest standards. When it came to menu development, they went beyond expectations, creating a menu that not only aligned with our vision but elevated it. Their resilience, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment helped us establish a brand identity that reflects quality and excellence. Harris x Aoki didn’t just help us launch - they built a standard for our brand that we are incredibly proud of. If you want consultants who truly deliver, these chefs are the ones to call. Outstanding work!
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Meera Alneyadi profile picture
Meera Alneyadi
23 January 2025
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I had an amazing experience with HarrisxAoki Hospitality ! Their guidance and expertise truly elevated my catering company . The team was professional, attentive, and full of creative ideas that helped us. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking to enhance their culinary offerings. Thank you for your invaluable support!

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