Management at CZN Burak said the fame of chef Burak Ozdemir made it difficult to control crowds of fans and enforce Covid-19 measures. AFP
Management at CZN Burak said the fame of chef Burak Ozdemir made it difficult to control crowds of fans and enforce Covid-19 measures. AFP
Management at CZN Burak said the fame of chef Burak Ozdemir made it difficult to control crowds of fans and enforce Covid-19 measures. AFP
Management at CZN Burak said the fame of chef Burak Ozdemir made it difficult to control crowds of fans and enforce Covid-19 measures. AFP

'Fame of chef made it hard to control crowds': CZN Burak Dubai reopens on Sunday after temporary closure for breaching Covid-19 rules


Kelly Clarke
  • English
  • Arabic

A popular restaurant in Dubai owned by a celebrity chef was shut down on Friday for breaking Covid-19 safety regulations.

CZN Burak Dubai was closed after a spot check by the Department of Economic Development, in partnership with Dubai Tourism and Dubai Municipality.

The Turkish restaurant said it is due to reopen on Sunday, following changes to its coronavirus safety measures.

Its owner and chef Burak Ozdemir posts cooking videos on social media and has more than 20 million followers on Instagram.

The restaurant in Downtown Dubai told The National that large numbers of diners have visited the restaurant in recent months, due to its online popularity.

"Unfortunately, with the warm welcome and popularity of CZN Burak, the restaurant has been overwhelmed with the numbers of guests visiting," it said.

"With Chef Burak being a famous and loved celebrity, it has been a bit challenging for the restaurant to control the crowds who came to greet and meet him in person."

The restaurant said it has reduced the number of seats inside and outside the venue and has been conducting weekly PCR testing of staff.

"[We] take this as an opportunity to implement better and stricter safety measurements to ensure the compliance with the local government regulations," it said.

"The restaurant will reopen on Sunday and the staff will make sure that all diners remain seated during their entire dining experience."

The department's actions are part of a campaign in Dubai against rule-breaking businesses.

The Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Economy closed two sports establishments and issued fines to seven other facilities for failing to enforce Covid-19 measures and safety guidelines.

Another six venues were issued warnings.

For months, the authorities have been sending out teams of inspectors throughout the emirate to ensure businesses are following social distancing and other Covid-19 measures.

Last weekend, an operator was fined Dh50,000 ($13,612) for holding a desert party with several hundred guests.

In a video posted on the Dubai Police Twitter page, it showed a blatant breach of the Covid-19 rules.

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

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Date started: July 2020

Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech

# of staff: 10

Funding to date: Self-funded

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Rating: 2/5

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Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.