Tuesday, Mar 18, 2014
Dubai: If you’ve been wondering what the three-storey building between The Dubai Mall and The Address Downtown is, wonder no longer: It’s the first international opening of Fortnum & Mason, the 300-year-old food store on London’s Piccadilly that’s served biscuits, jams, teas and gourmet foods to everyone from royals to the simply super-rich since 1707. The Dubai outpost, opening this Friday, is an edited version of what’s available in London, says the company’s CEO, Ewan Venters, and despite protests from the likes of former 007 Roger Moore, it was never planning to sell foie gras, the fattened goose or duck liver that critics say harms animals. What you can find is a food store on the ground floor, a tea salon on the first floor and at the top, an ice cream parlour. Read on to find out more.
Q. What led to Dubai being the first overseas opening for F&M?
A. Fortnum’s has always been an outward-looking brand, which has sought to serve its customers no matter where in the world they are. We have found a wonderful site in Dubai, and we’re looking forward to making Fortnum’s accessible to people in the region who want to experience Fortnum’s, whether it’s in the form of a jar of jam, or for afternoon tea. The store is a wonderful showcase for the Fortnum’s brand. Dubai is — after London — the second most important retail destination in the world, and all the world’s major luxury brands are represented. After water, tea is the most popular drink in the Middle East, so it makes sense in that respect, too.
Q. What is it about Fortnum & Mason that makes it unique in a world of luxury food brands?
A. Fortnum & Mason was founded in Piccadilly in 1707 by William Fortnum, a footman at the court of Queen Anne, and his landlord Hugh Mason, Fortnum & Mason began by selling candles reconstituted from the used ones from St James’s Palace. Since those times Fortnum’s has been at the heart of London life, supplying the very finest goods and services to its citizens and visitors. Above all, Fortnum’s is known for its exquisite and impeccable service and surroundings. From the red carpet and chandeliers on the ground floor to the expert advice offered in every department, the Fortnum’s experience is one of pleasure.
Q. What are the do-not-miss items that will be stocked?
A. Taking tea in The Tea Salon, overlooking the Dubai Fountains and facing the Burj Khalifa is a must. And once enjoyed, one must take a caddy of Royal Blend to enjoy at home. A jar of our Rose Petal Jelly is an essential. Made exclusively for Fortnum’s with rose petals grown in a single garden in Oxfordshire, the petals are picked in the evening when they are at their most scented, and transferred the next morning to the jelly, capturing their fine fragrance. Finally, Fortnum’s Rose & Violet English creams — our signature chocolates. Made by hand and subtly flavoured with natural flower oils, these are very English and very Fortnum’s.
Q. How do you feel about the campaign led by Roger Moore to stop the sale of foie gras here?
A. I respect Sir Roger Moore as an actor, and of course I respect his right to hold the views he has about the sale of foie gras. Likewise, he, and those who campaign to ban foie gras, should respect our right to sell a product that is perfectly legal, and which many of our customers buy and enjoy. As it happens, we never had in mind to sell foie gras in Dubai: I don’t know how that particular story got into circulation. The Fortnum store in Dubai will sell a tightly edited collection of our own products, and foie gras was never part of our considerations. We have no plans to stop the sale of foie gras in our Piccadilly store in London.
By Natalie Long, tabloid! Editor
Gulf News 2014. All rights reserved.
