Matt Rickard Email & Phone Number

Riyadh, Sa

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Absolute Taste Middle East is a strategic partnership between Gulf regional hospitality player MAISAM, and Absolute Taste of the United Kingdom. Together, we bring a wealth of worldwide experience and complementary capabilities to provide the highest standard of food and service across the hospitality industry across the GCC.The development of this strategic relationship has been the creation of a Saudi Arabian hospitality business that has true roots and focus within the region. As part of the Absal Group, Maisam has been based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for over 20 years. During the last five years Absolute Taste have undertaken a number of high-profile projects within the region with the objective to create an in-country entity with a long-term strategy and home in the region. This partnership brings together the partners to launch Absolute Taste Middle East.

United Kingdom

An independent hospitality consultancy specialising in unique food, drink and customer experiences.By applying extensive technical, analytical, trend and creative expertise we make positive impacts to increase performance, improve customer experience, widen market and disrupt the competition for new and existing catering businesses. Contact us today to let us help you develop more ideas, more experiences, more ambition and more success for your business.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Kosher Arabia will be the global market leader in culinary innovation and customer service for kosher food.Based in Dubai we will disrupt the kosher F&B market locally and around the world. Working under the supervision of OU and OUS Kosher Arabia provides a globally recognised standard of kosher to clients and consumers. I am proud to lead this joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering and CCL. Watch this space....

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

An amazing challenge and opportunity to lead Absolute Taste's Dubai Operation at one of the greatest events of 2020 - we were in the process of mobilising when Covid 19 took its grip on the world and subsequently Expo 2020 cancelled the project.

London, United Kingdom

Privileged to be working with such a dedicated and strongly skilled team across some of the UK's finest venues in and around London and the South East. With the support of the Restaurant Associates group RA Venues is trail blazing amongst it's competitors within the Cultural, Heritage and Destination venue scene.

London, United Kingdom

Food Story brings a new and hugely exciting dimension to the Kosher catering and events market. With an unbelievably talented kitchen, planning and operational team in place drawing experience and uncompromising standards from London’s international events market. Food Story creates creative events and dining that competes at the top of London’s international events market (with a Kosher kitchen under the supervision LKBD)The first chapter promises that Food Story will be London’s no 1 kosher and events business.

London, United Kingdom

I am thrilled to have recently joined the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Knightsbridge London, where we will take the exacting standards, excellent food and attentive service and ultimate hospitality experience of a world renowned luxury brand into the premium UK Outside Catering and Events market.

London, United Kingdom

A hugely exciting leadership and development position. Responsible for the commercial delivery of high-end hospitality experiences including restaurants and corporate boxes within one of Europes largest stadium.With a requirement of 2000+ trained hospitality professionals on event days, I welcome contact from chefs, hosts/esses, front of house and back of house teams who want to be part of the delivery of some the very best sporting and music events in the world.

Absolute Taste has provided 15 years of diverse and continuous career development and exposure within a broad luxury catering market.A Director holding an influential operational and development position within the Exec Management Team; promoted from Head of Operations to Business Development Director in 2010, playing a key role in day to day management, operations and the development of business from incorporation in 1997 Holding a global business position, with key involvement and support in all business areas. Including; management, operations, financial management, strategic planning, delivering and shaping the future success of all business activities including:• High-profile international event design and catering• Private and business jet catering • International Formula 1 catering • Fixed site contract catering • Retail catering – cafes and restaurants• Pop-up restaurants and catering projectExperience of high end hospitality delivery in challenging environments with attention to detail, creative planning and great logistical expertise.Key role in contract tendering: concept, research, business planning, document content and presenting. Company brand guardian and business creative; equipment and product presentation styling, design, literature and web management.Service and product standard monitoring, deviation reporting and correction.Responsible for Food Safety, Health and Safety and CSR Policy.Facilities and building management.

• Member of senior management team• General operations management – across all company businesses• Business development, tendering and mobilisation• Product development• Food Safety and Health and Safety• Business analysis, forecasting and review• Special projects• Key areas: Inflight, retail, general company ops, premises

Having worked for Absolute Taste for 3 years in the growing events market; we entered the "Inflight Catering" market, and developed Absolute Taste Inflight.The research and mobilisation of Absolute Taste Inflight included 18 months working onboard a privately owned aircraft, understanding the requirements, competitors, testing food, building the business to what it is now.