Steve founded Pickl in 2019 with one aim - to offer fresh fast food using the finest ingredients. Now he is taking that to the next level with the introduction of Yolk Brands, a group consisting of the UAE’s finest, homegrown fast casual and quick service restaurants. From Pickl’s award-winning cheeseburgers and sandos to Bonbird’s fresh fried chicken, and with more exciting brands to come, Steve is aiming to make Yolk Brands the region’s leading QSR group. With Pickl already undergoing international expansion and the rest of Yolk Brands’ concepts set to follow, Steve is determined to showcase the UAE as a global force in the F&B industry. Hailing from Dorset in the United Kingdom, Steve brings more than 18 years of experience to his role. Having worked in the industry since he was a teenager, Steve’s wide-ranging career has seen him gain a holistic understanding of the F&B sector. He spent his formative years in the kitchen, starting from washing pots and pans before working his way up to become a high-end chef in the New Forest. Making the transition to managing restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, Steve earned the insight that has seen him conceptualise and open restaurants across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Prior to launching Pickl, Steve was the Head of Strategy for the Appetite and 1762 Group in the UAE. Dubai has been his home for the past eight years, and Steve is proud to be at the helm of one of the city’s leading homegrown restaurant groups. Championing the people of Dubai and providing them with opportunities to grow alongside Yolk Brands’ concepts has always been at the forefront of his overarching strategy for the group, leading to 2022 being hailed as the “Year of the People” internally. Steve was awarded a Golden Visa by the UAE government for his services to hospitality and won Restaurateur of the Year at the Caterer Middle East Awards 2022.