Thomas Klein International (TKI), the Dubai-based hospitality consultants, has been awarded a contract to develop the new image and positioning of the Wasabi chain of restaurants in Kuwait for the Sultan Group.

Thomas Klein International scope includes working first in the development of the interiors of a new Wasabi outlet, to open later this year, which will be located in Wattiya, one of Kuwait’s oldest and picturesque areas currently under renovation by the government of Kuwait.

The new Wasabi will be housed in a stand-alone historical building, and will be approximately 480 sq m in size.

The current building, an old traditional Kuwaiti house built with materials available back then in nature: sea rock, mud, limestone and gypsum is a protected building and therefore a very challenging environment where to work as the original shape of the building nor any of the exterior facades can be touched, a statement said.

Kuwaitis imported teakwood from India, and jandal (trunk) and basajeel (bamboo) from Africa (Mombassa – Kenya) and these elements can still be seen in the front of the building, it added.

“The Sultan Group already has four other Wasabi outlets as part of their portfolio, but they want to launch a totally new, fresh image, so the newest addition to the group of restaurants, will have a totally new look and feel,” said Daniel During, principal and managing director of TKI.

“Once opened, the new Wasabi restaurant will set the benchmark in design for any additional Wasabi outlets they open, and all the existing Wasabi outlets will be transformed to match the new brand image and positioning,” he added.

The total investment for the fit out is estimated at approximately $2 million, and TKI aims to deliver a unique, contemporary and thought-provoking design.

“We don’t want to give too much away at this stage, but just to say that we have thoroughly  studied the concept, researched the wasabi root, its cultivation and farming methods, and this, along with the two most traditional and sophisticated Japanese arts of paper manipulation, has served us as inspiration of what is to come,” said During.

The Wasabi chain of restaurants is owned and managed by the Epicure Group, the food and beverage division of The Sultan group.

“We have been working with Thomas Klein International for the past few years now and we have a developed a level of understanding that fosters and make is easy for new ideas to develop. The design and new image of the new Wasabi will be unveiled soon, until then, we will all need to sit put and wait,” concluded Ahmed El Bader, founder and culinary director of Epicure. – TradeArabia News Service