As hotels across the Middle East continue to enhance their food and beverage offerings to drive guest engagement and differentiation, leadership appointments remain a key part of hospitality growth strategies. DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences has appointed Ozden Erkmen as Executive Chef to lead its culinary operations.
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences has named Ozden Erkmen as Executive Chef, strengthening its culinary leadership team as the property looks to further enhance its dining experiences and food and beverage offerings.
Based in Dubai, Erkmen brings more than a decade of international hospitality experience spanning luxury hotels, culinary operations, team leadership, and guest experience management. He joins the property from Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, where he was involved in managing culinary operations across multiple dining concepts and large-scale hospitality experiences.
In his new role, Erkmen will oversee the hotel’s culinary strategy, kitchen operations, menu development, and dining experiences across the property. His appointment comes as the hotel continues to focus on delivering personalised guest experiences through its food and beverage offerings.
Focus on guest-centric dining
According to the hotel, Erkmen’s culinary approach combines operational excellence with a focus on quality ingredients, simplicity, and contemporary presentation. He is expected to lead dining experiences across the property, including The Spice Tree – Urban Eatery and other food and beverage venues.
Commenting on the appointment, Ozden Erkmen, Executive Chef, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences, said: “What I enjoy most about hospitality is the ability to create moments people genuinely remember. Food has a way of bringing people together naturally. At DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square, there is already a strong culture of warmth and care, and I’m excited to build on that through experiences that feel authentic, thoughtful and enjoyable.”
Known for his hands-on leadership style, Erkmen has built his career across luxury hospitality brands, with experience in culinary operations, team development, and service delivery.
Strengthening culinary leadership
The hotel said his appointment reflects its commitment to people-driven hospitality and culinary innovation. Going forward, Erkmen will focus on creating approachable dining concepts that resonate with both hotel guests and the local community, while maintaining operational consistency and service quality.
Located in the heart of Dubai, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences caters to both business and leisure travellers and offers accommodation, dining, wellness, and events facilities. The addition of Erkmen is expected to support the property’s efforts to further strengthen its food and beverage positioning within Dubai’s competitive hospitality market.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at CargoTalk India, focusing on aviation, logistics, and trade journalism. His experience includes working with AI-powered supply chain software, contributing to SEO-led content, AI automation, and strategic storytelling. A graduate of Delhi University, he specialises in editorial writing and content strategy, supporting CargoTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys cinema with striking cinematography, along with novels, poetry, and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
