LIVE BLOG: Latest on Expo 2020 Dubai here
Dotted around Expo 2020 Dubai are restaurants hand-picked by the organisers to show the best of international cuisine.
One occupying a prime position next to Al Wasl Plaza is Baron, a local star from the Beirut culinary scene serving fusion food heavily influenced by the region.
Ruby El-Chaer, 28, from Lebanon, is the general manager, a former head chef running her first restaurant.
She joined the team in mid-August, and got straight to work with only six weeks to go before Expo 2020's October 1 opening date.
"Hiring everyone, deciding on all the branding and all the uniforms, setting up the menu, figuring out Expo's policies. It was all organised at pretty short notice," said Ms El-Chaer, who previously worked as head chef for the Dubai restaurant Kismet.
Baron's profile and popularity soared after the eatery was voted as one of the 50 Best Discovery Restaurants for the Middle East.
The neighbourhood restaurant is known for its sharing plates and unexpected sauces, plus the signature whole roasted head of cauliflower in spiced butter, yoghurt tahini tartare, walnuts and pomegranate.
The Expo pop-up shares many of the same principles – the food is a fusion of flavours, and the staff are a real melting pot as well.
"Oh, you cannot imagine what a mix. We have staff from Kyrgyzstan, we have Lebanese, we have Brazilian, we have Moroccan," said Ms El-Chaer, who has lived in Dubai for three years.
"Communication is on fire. We're trying to get everyone involved with the same level of communication and it is going to take a while.
"The only challenge is that we are only open for a short time, so we have to be cracking on all the time."
Many of the staff working at Baron had to flee Beirut after they lost their jobs in the Lebanese financial crisis, and the restaurant opening at Expo was a lifeline for them and their families.
Once the world fair finishes on March 31, they will still have six months left on their visas to find new jobs in the UAE.
In the interim, Ms El-Chaer is determined to try everything Expo has to offer.
"I recommend Al Wasl Plaza, and if you walk around you will see Jubilee Park, which is a very nice concept," she said.
"And what shook my mind was the sushi counter at the Japanese pavilion, which was pretty yummy, pretty affordable, and really busy all the time."
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
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UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
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6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
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Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
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Nationality: French
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Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
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Position: Lead Striker
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
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Rating: 4.5/5
