Business Insider
I moved from Los Angeles to Dubai. It turned out to be the best thing for my career.
Courtney Brandt · Author
A personal essay by Courtney on moving abroad and building a career in food writing.
Read article ↗Courtney Brandt · Media
Stories beyond
the table.
Selected writing, press commentary, videos, radio conversations, podcast interviews and photography from Courtney’s work in food, travel and hospitality.
Editorial commissions & media inquiries →
A few highlights
Selected work
Condé Nast Traveller Middle East
The best dinner-show restaurants in Dubai
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s published guide to dining with live entertainment in Dubai.
Read article ↗Dubai Eye 103.8
Dubai’s MICHELIN Guide conversation
Courtney Brandt · Radio contributor
Courtney joins Helen Farmer to discuss the Dubai selection in the episode “Human connection wins!”
Listen to episode ↗Watch · Dubai Eats
The Dish I Can’t Stop Thinking About
Explore the Dubai Eats video series, with episodes at Trèsind Studio, Moonrise, Jun’s, Alici, and Josette.
Watch the full series on YouTube ↗Explore the portfolio
33 portfolio entries
Articles
Tasting Table
Tasting Table
Food and drink writing
Courtney Brandt · Contributor
Published articles on ingredients, drinks and practical kitchen ideas.
Browse articles ↗Tasting Table
An easier way to peel hard-boiled eggs
Courtney Brandt · Author
A bylined kitchen feature published in January 2024.
Read article ↗Tasting Table
The Best Nespresso Pod For Making Espresso Martinis
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s kitchen and drinks feature on choosing a coffee pod for an espresso martini.
Read article ↗Articles
AOL
AOL
A salty twist on an ice cream float
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s article on adding peanuts to an ice cream float, published on AOL.
Read article ↗AOL
The story of french fries and ketchup
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s article exploring the history of this familiar pairing, published on AOL.
Read article ↗Articles
The 50
The 50
When guests ask for the impossible: the most extraordinary requests at the world’s top hotels
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s feature on the hotel teams who turn extraordinary guest requests into memorable stays.
Read article ↗The 50
Chefs reveal the dish that changed everything
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney interviews leading chefs about the dishes that shaped their careers.
Read article ↗The 50
Step inside the world’s most iconic suites and villas
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney explores distinctive hotel suites and villas around the world.
Read article ↗The 50
What world-leading chefs most love about their cities
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney gathers chefs’ local recommendations and the flavors that define their hometowns.
Read article ↗The 50
What the world’s best bartenders really drink
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney asks leading bartenders about their favorite drinks and how they assess a cocktail list.
Read article ↗Articles
Business Insider
Business Insider
I moved from Los Angeles to Dubai. It turned out to be the best thing for my career.
Courtney Brandt · Author
A personal essay by Courtney on moving abroad and building a career in food writing.
Read article ↗Articles
Fast Company Middle East
Fast Company Middle East
Technology is transforming the Middle East’s restaurant industry. But originality will still be crucial
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s feature on restaurant technology, changing expectations and the importance of originality.
Read article ↗Fast Company Middle East
How are food influencers transforming the Middle East’s dining scene?
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney examines the relationship between food creators, hospitality businesses and their audiences.
Read article ↗Fast Company Middle East
Pickles and ice cream? Chefs in the Middle East are using AI to cook up the future of food
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney reports on how chefs use artificial intelligence to explore new flavor combinations.
Read article ↗Fast Company Middle East
The GCC is becoming a top culinary tourism destination. So, what’s cooking?
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s feature on the region’s culinary traditions, investment and growing appeal to food travelers.
Read article ↗Fast Company Middle East
Are Michelin stars aligning with restaurants’ bottom line in the UAE?
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney explores the business implications of Michelin recognition for UAE restaurants.
Read article ↗Fast Company Middle East
The hospitality industry in the Middle East is serious about sustainability. Can these strategies help?
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney examines practical sustainability strategies for the region’s hospitality industry.
Read article ↗Articles
The Ethicalist
The Ethicalist
Why Meat Free Mondays Should be Your 2025 Resolution
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s bylined article on making a weekly meat-free meal part of everyday life.
Read article ↗The Ethicalist
Eat, Drink and Be Merry with These Delicious Christmas Vegan Treats Available in the UAE
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s festive guide to vegan treats in the UAE. Availability reflects the original feature.
Read article ↗Articles
Condé Nast Traveller Middle East
Condé Nast Traveller Middle East
The best dinner-show restaurants in Dubai
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s published guide to dining with live entertainment in Dubai.
Read article ↗Articles
EuroCave
EuroCave
In the Cellar at Ossiano
Courtney Brandt · Author
A wine-cellar feature by Courtney on Dubai’s Ossiano and sommelier Danijela Tesic.
Read article ↗EuroCave
In the wine cellar at COYA
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s feature on the wine cellar at COYA Dubai.
Read article ↗EuroCave
In the cellar at Amisfield
Courtney Brandt · Author
Courtney’s feature on the wine cellar at Amisfield Bistro in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Read article ↗Press & Commentary
Press & Commentary
MAGNAV Emirates
Courtney Brandt: Dubai’s dining renaissance
Courtney Brandt · Profile subject
A profile by Jane Stevens on Courtney’s food writing and perspective on the city’s restaurant scene.
Read profile ↗nom:me
Hype and substance in Dubai’s restaurant economy
Courtney Brandt · Quoted expert
Courtney contributes commentary to Zainab Ali’s feature on restaurant visibility, social media and lasting relevance.
Read feature ↗Arab News
Pressure on Dubai’s restaurant industry
Courtney Brandt · Quoted expert
An industry report quoting Courtney on the pressures facing Dubai restaurants during the regional conflict.
Read coverage ↗Euronews
Inside Dubai’s booming food scene
Courtney Brandt · Quoted expert
Courtney contributes commentary on Time Out Market Dubai and sharing the city’s local food with visitors.
Read coverage ↗Radio, Video & Podcasts
Radio, Video & Podcasts
Dubai Eye 103.8
Dubai’s MICHELIN Guide conversation
Courtney Brandt · Radio contributor
Courtney joins Helen Farmer to discuss the Dubai selection in the episode “Human connection wins!”
Listen to episode ↗Dubai Eye 103.8
Food headlines with Helen Farmer
Courtney Brandt · Radio contributor
A food-news contribution to the episode “Farm to table dining.”
Listen to episode ↗The Chef JKP Podcast
Courtney Brandt, AKA A to Za’atar
Courtney Brandt · Interview guest
An interview about food writing, Dubai dining and the perspective of the guest. Episode 29, May 2021.
Listen to interview ↗Dubai Eye 103.8
Would you try a KFC-flavored jellybean?
Courtney Brandt · Radio contributor
Courtney brings snacks from the United States to try on air with Helen Farmer.
Listen to episode ↗FABDXB
Creating unforgettable restaurant experiences
Courtney Brandt · Panel guest
A filmed conversation featuring Courtney, Tim Albermann and Chef Yu Hasegawa, recorded at Bocasu Al Quoz.
Watch episode ↗Photography
Photography
A Luxury Travel Blog
Four Seasons Seychelles at Desroches Island
Courtney Brandt · Photographer
A photograph by Courtney featured in the publication’s Photograph of the Week series, March 2020.
View feature ↗The collected archive
More from the archive
Explore Courtney’s Pinterest collection of press clippings, published work and media appearances.
Media inquiries
Let’s talk.
For editorial commissions, interviews and hospitality commentary, contact Courtney.
Email Courtneyatozaatar@outlook.com
