How Ritz-Carlton, Amman Will Revolutionize Kingdom’s Gastronomy Scene

AMMAN — With The Ritz-Carlton, Amman Hotel officially slated to launch in just a few short months, the hype and anticipation have reached a fever pitch—and for a good reason: the hotel is set to redefine five-star luxury, taking elegance, design, and hospitality to ambitious new heights. اضافة اعلان

From the fresh, spacious, and stylishly appointed guest rooms to the exceptional facilities and amenities, to iconic features like the custom-made Preciosa chandelier that hangs in the lobby, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman provides a wealth of attractions that are already creating considerable buzz across the region.

Of all these attractions, those generating perhaps the most excitement are the hotel’s numerous F&B outlets. The Ritz-Carlton Amman Hotel will feature more restaurants, bars, and lounges than any other five-star destination in the Kingdom, all of which will offer up new and innovative concepts and flavors. And with all these destinations being led by renowned Executive Chef Joergen Sodemann, there’s no doubt that they will deliver far above and beyond expectations.


(Photo: Amman Ritz-Carlton Residences)

Sodemann’s prestigious culinary career spans decades and traverses the globe—from Germany to Oman to Japan and countless destinations in between. His experience includes a dizzying array of world-class hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as an impressive track record of successful hotel openings. In particular, Sodemann is no stranger to the Ritz-Carlton brand, with roughly ten years of experience at various Ritz-Carlton properties around the world.

 “I’m fascinated by the brand,” he says. “When I joined the company in 2006, I’d been working in smaller restaurants and privately owned boutique hotels, and I was immediately impressed by the culture of the Ritz-Carlton.” With the brand’s culture centered around the idea of ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen, Sodemann says that it ultimately translates into “everybody treating each other with respect. It creates this healthy, fun environment that nurtures and maximizes talent.”

The chef’s first experience with the brand was at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, where he eventually assumed the role of Executive Chef. He then served as Executive Chef of Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in Muscat, Oman, and was involved in opening numerous other Ritz-Carlton properties in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Cairo, and Jeddah. 

After spending the last few years at EDITION properties in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo, Sodemann is making his illustrious return to the Ritz-Carlton brand and the MENA region. According to the chef, the brand’s latest property in Amman reminds him of The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin. 


(Photo: Amman Ritz-Carlton Residences)

“In terms of design and quality, the standard has seen at The Ritz-Carlton, Amman doesn’t exist yet here in Amman,” he says, “and it could even hold up as a benchmark for the entire Middle East—and even Europe.”


Upon the hotel’s launch, Sodemann will oversee a total of nine F&B outlets—far and away the most of any hotel in the Kingdom—as well as the hotel’s catering and banquet services. 


He prefers to keep a tight lid on the actual dining options, explaining that opening restaurants are a bit like popping a champagne cork: “If you pop it a month before you drink it, you lose the excitement, the flavor.” 

Even so, he teases an array of offerings that are unlike anything yet seen in Amman, sure to delight and astound even the most worldly culinary connoisseurs.

Now, with just a few months to go until the official opening, the chef is hard at work with pre-launch preparations. 

For Sodemann, that includes a meticulous and obsessive itinerary of tasks, roles, and responsibilities: from sourcing local food products to hiring and training staff, his approach to his work is extremely hands-on. 

Sodemann has been visiting local farms and food producers to sample products he will be using in his kitchens; he has been forging partnerships with local culinary institutes and academies to recruit the industry’s top talents; he’s been meticulously selecting his kitchen equipment, dinnerware, and cutlery; and, of course, he’s been carefully drafting up his menus for each venue.


(Photo: Amman Ritz-Carlton Residences)

Above all, Sodemann underscores the importance of training his team and immersing them in the Ritz-Carlton culture: “Training is the most important thing because we want our ladies and gentlemen to be set up for success, to be 100 percent confident, and to deliver the perfect experience from the very beginning.”

Beyond the diversity of culinary offerings and the exceptional quality and training of staff, what will truly set The Ritz-Carlton, Amman apart is the brand’s rich culture of excellence. “With us,” Sodemann says, “the difference is in how we operate. 

It starts even before the first guest impression: how we interact with our suppliers, how we hire and onboard our ladies and gentlemen, and then that filters down and is reflected in the overall guest experience. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of commitment delivering at 100 percent, and that starts with investing in a happy and healthy work environment.”

With elegance, intimacy, and style infused into each of the hotel’s venues, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman, will soon be the capital’s most exciting dining destination for all occasions.



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