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Day: 26 May 2022

New Japanese restaurant offering “couture cuisine”

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/05/2022

Samy Sass, of Sass Café fame, has opened a new Japanese restaurant, The Niwaki, alongside partners Dean Carr and Daryl Foster, promising a “chic contemporary and traditional establishment offering a memorable culinary experience”.

Samy Sass is a Monaco legend, and his Sass Café is nearly as legendary as the man himself. He has been involved in the family restaurant business since he was 18, and has since developed a catering and hospitality consulting company in parallel. 

Now, he is taking his love of restaurants and his love of Japan to a new level, combining them in a whole new way to create The Niwaki. The name is poetic, meaning “garden tree” in Japanese, and vows to take diners on a voyage to the East through flavours and artistic presentation.

Dean Carr, Samy Sass and Daryl Foster

The Niwaki gardens are said to embody the essence of nature and, following this same spirit, The Niwaki hopes to give guests “the essence of Japanese cuisine blended with contemporary Japanese flavours and influences from the Mediterranean basin”, using the best and freshest ingredients and unexpected combination of flavours, textures and colours to make for a culinary event.

The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the new Palais de la Plage on Avenue Princesse Grace, opposite Larvotto beach.

Head Chef Shahar Dahan, who laughingly says he never ate sushi before joining The Niwaki, took up the task to extraordinary measure, assisted by Executive Chef Hendry Tjan and Sushi Chef Wagner Spadacio.

Sashimi hamachi, truffle ponzu, lobster tempura, creamy truffle with yuzu, Black Angus fillet, black garlic miso butter, textured chokorēto with runny caramel miso heart are all on the menu, tempting diners with delights they may never have experienced before. Dishes are meant to be shared, allowing maximum enjoyment for all.

Dishes are designed to be shared at The Niwaki

With a capacity of 140 people, the space is open and warm, with elegant architectural features and neutral colours made up of an indoor dining area, a bar-lounge and an outdoor terrace.

In addition to the cuisine and live sushi bar, The Niwaki offers Japanese sakes, beers and whiskeys.

 

 

Photos provided

 

 

 

Jean-Emmanuel de Witt named AS Monaco CEO

by: Luke Entwistle
26/05/2022

After weeks of speculation, AS Monaco announced that is has appointed Jean-Emmanuel de Witt as their new CEO, replacing Oleg Petrov who will continue in an altered role at the club.

Frenchman de Witt has a vast international business experience, having worked at the forefront of businesses such as JCDeaux. He is also a fluent French, English and Russian speaker.

In his new role at AS Monaco, he will be responsible for all departments at the club, except for sports management, which is still under the management of sporting director Paul Mitchell, who in turn will be directly accountable to owner Dmitry Rybolovlev.

In a press release by AS Monaco, de Witt said, “I want to thank Dmitry Rybolovlev and the administrative council for their confidence. I am delighted to join AS Monaco as CEO and to work towards obtaining results that echo this great, historic club.”

On the appointment, Rybolovlev added, “I wish to welcome de Witt. He has solid managerial experience. During his professional career, he has achieved great results, which is a testament to his great understanding of different cultures and sectors. I am happy that he is joining us to direct the club’s operations and to develop its activities.”

Meanwhile, Petrov will also remain at the club. He will continue to fulfil his function as a member of the administrative council, as well as his role as Vice-president.

 

Photo of Jean-Emmanuel de Witt by AS Monaco

 

 

 

 

Monaco steps up “attractiveness” agenda

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/05/2022

The Strategic Council for Attractiveness has been reinstated, spurred by the appointment of Frédéric Genta as Secretary General and with a goal of enticing new residents, investors, companies, employees and tourists to the Principality.

When the Strategic Council for Attractiveness (CSA) was created in 2011, its mission was to propose tools for future planning and analysing, and to hold educated discussions on Monaco’s economic and social models in order to make the country the best possible place for new people, businesses and investment.

Now, as the government gives new impetus to its policy of attractiveness, it has relaunched meetings of the CSA.

They will meet periodically, in plenary meetings or in thematic commissions, and will continue to join the many public and private entities that “represent the economic, social and cultural vitality of Monaco” contributing to the development of the attractiveness strategy.

On 23rd May, Minister of State and Chairman of CSA Pierre Dartout, alongside the newly appointed Secretary General of the CSA Frédéric Genta, reminded those present of the essential nature of attractiveness for the preservation of the good quality of life enjoyed in the Principality. At its heart, it puts forth the concerns of the government, residents, investors, companies, employees and tourists to make the most hospitable environment possible for all to flourish.

“Attractiveness is the basis and engine of our economy,” said Frédéric Genta in his first meeting as secretary general. “The CSA is a strong asset on which Monaco must rely to modernise and adapt to the post-Covid world, a world in which attracting residents, investors and businesses is essential.”

“Attractiveness is everyone’s business. Our ambition is to create a real dynamic in favour of attractiveness by bringing together all the ministerial departments and the entities concerned,” added Pierre Dartout.

Monaco’s assets are many, and the CSA wants to be ambitious in its pursuit of developing strategies that fit in with the world today, particularly when it comes to the digital transition and the environment.

 

Photo by Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

 

 

 

 

MSFF to make history as first carbon-neutral event

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/05/2022

The Monaco Streaming Film Festival will this month partner with Net0 to become the first ever carbon neutral event of its kind in the history of the Principality.

Taking place from 31st May to 3rd June, the Monaco Streaming Film Festival (MSFF) is already breaking new ground in its 2nd edition.

The first year of the Festival, which is a platform for the video-on-demand (VOD) industry, proved to be a success, attracting a large online audience and proving that a large event can also be environmentally friendly. This year, organisers are taking this role even more seriously.

“While we celebrate an incredible change in video content consumption, especially during the Covid period when people became accustomed to streaming platforms such as Netflix, we also noticed a much cleaner environment around us and thought about making a positive impact ourselves,” Tony Davis, Director of the Streaming Festival, said.

Net0 is a Monaco-based climate technology company that uses AI-powered carbon management software to track emissions, give offsetting solutions, provide emission reduction planning tools and offer stakeholders reports on progress.

“As a Monaco-based tech company, we are excited to support the local ecosystem by supporting the Monaco Streaming Film Festival in their journey towards Net Zero,” said Sofia Fominova, co-founder of Net0. “We look forward to supporting them throughout the event to create the first ever carbon neutral streaming festival.”

Net0 will provide organisers with an accurate calculation of the event’s carbon footprint, whilst offsetting unavoidable emissions through local environmental projects. This will lead to the establishment of a solid emissions plan for future editions as well as being a trailblazing awareness-raiser for other Monaco-based events.

The collaboration between Net0 and the Monaco Streaming Film Festival is in line with the Principality’s focus on renewable energy, environmental conservation projects and sustainable tourism. Introducing carbon neutrality to the events industry here is yet another step in achieving future net zero goals in the country.

SEE ALSO: 

Revealed: the A-listers to be honoured at Monaco Streaming Film Festival

Monaco Streaming Film Festival prepares for powerful return

 

 

 

Lacklustre Roca Team on the brink of shock Betclic play-off exit

by: Luke Entwistle
26/05/2022

An inexplicably lethargic AS Monaco Basketball lost against Strasbourg (87-100) on Wednesday in the first-leg of their Betclic Elite playoff. A loss in the return fixture will consign them to a shock exit, and Obradovic was not happy.

Perhaps it was a hangover from that soul-sapping defeat to Olympiacos in the Euroleague playoffs a fortnight ago, or the absence of star man Mike James who Sasa Obradovic revealed post-match had a sprained finger. Either way, this Roca Team was unrecognisable to the side that have dominated both on the continent and domestically in recent weeks and months.

“Wake up!”

Monaco were defensively inattentive from the off. In the opening seconds of the counter, Strasbourg manufactured a free two-pointer attempt under the board, as runs went completely unchecked.

Strasbourg went into an early lead before Obradovic’s men eventually found their range, at least in an attacking sense to draw level at the end of the first-quarter (24-24). The returning Alpha Diallo (22 pts) didn’t show any signs of lack of match sharpness as he picked up where he left off.

But the problem wasn’t in offence, but in defence. Strasbourg continued to work openings with astonishing ease, their intensity going unmatched by a weary Monaco. Obradovic tried to galvanise them and lift them out of their slumber as he screamed at his players to “wake up” throughout the second-quarter.

Those words had little effect. Monaco continued to sleepwalk towards a surprise defeat as sloppiness and frustration crept into their play in the second-half. The game was over as a contest way before the final buzzer, the underdogs had come to the Salle Gaston Medecin and prevailed (87-100).

Storm Obradovic: Roca Team coach unleashes his fury

Post-match, questioned by Monaco Life as to the secret behind beating Monaco, Strasbourg coach Lassi Tuovi replied, “I don’t necessarily know the secret. We’ve just built a group with an underdog mentality, who are hungry and humble.”

Obradovic responded to that saying, “You asked what is the secret, the secret is the attitude. The underdog was here fighting and if you don’t have the same approach, anyone can beat you.”

He added, “When you’ve worked all season to be in this game, you don’t need any extra motivation. You can’t be tired from the season, you can’t be searching for excuses to justify the way we performed. It’s not fair to the fans who came to watch us, it’s as simple as that. They gave their full energy in the Euroleague and then they came and gave 50%.”

Responding to Monaco Life, Roca Team captain Leo Westermann reflected on their lack of intensity throughout the fixture. “They had more desire and were in the right mode and we weren’t,” he said. “In the next match, we really need to show another side to ourselves and get into that play-off mode. We’ll see what we’re made of.”

The second-leg of the tie takes place in Strasbourg on Saturday. Only a win will do for the Roca Team, which would mean one final, winner-takes-all tie at the Salle Gaston Medecin next week.

Follow Monaco Life on Instagram to get live updates, videos and all the excitement from AS Monaco Basketball home games! 

 

Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

Sustainable brands rewarded at Monte-Carlo Fashion Week

by: Luke Entwistle
26/05/2022

Local fashion brands Regenesi and Verabuccia were recognised for their work towards sustainability in the fashion industry during a conference at CREM, as part of Monte-Carlo Fashion Week.

Annabelle Jaeger-Seydoux, Monaco’s Director of the Mission for Energy Transition, began the conference on Wednesday, which tackled the issue of sustainability in the fashion industry, by outlining the Principality’s sustainability goals and objectives.

“The fashion industry is highly polluting,” Jaeger-Seydoux began. “This is an issue that we all want to tackle and it’s time that the industry changes. In Monaco, we have the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.”

The fashion industry is also a key sector in allowing the Principality’s goals to be met. Guest speakers Matteo Ward and Claudio Betti began the conference by highlighting the issues that the industry must tackle. Matteo Ward revealed that over 70% of clothing is made of more than one fabric, thus rendering them unrecyclable.

“We don’t have the definitive solution,” added Claudio Betti, although the conference did allude to many different actions that will allow incremental progress towards solving the issues in the fashion industry.

Designer Ines Bensalah, creator of Inessa Creations Monaco and ambassador for the National Energy Transition Pact, spoke about the importance of sustainability, as did Alexis Giannotti, a local eco-friendly designer.

The conference therefore constituted an appreciation for the work being done by local designers, creators and leading industry figures, whilst the achievements of other, international sustainable brands were also recognised.

Verabuccia, an Italian company founded by Francesca Nori and Fabrizio Moiani, won the award for Sustainable Innovative Start-up with their products, which are made out of real pineapple peel waste.

Regensei also picked up an award for being a Circular Economy Pioneer. The Italian company gives discarded materials a new lease of life, by transforming them into designer goods such as bags.

The event was therefore important to recognise the work already being done by both local and international designers, whilst continuing to highlight the progress that must still be made.