Africa’s First Restaurant Masterclass : booknbook for Africa Leads the Way in Hospitality Innovation.

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The inaugural Africa’s First Restaurant Masterclass, hosted by booknbook for Africa, in partnership with Paystack concluded on a high note, successfully bringing together top industry experts, restaurateurs, and hospitality innovators for an insightful day of learning, networking, and growth.

Held at the Simba Corp Aspire Centre on October 8th, 2024, the masterclass provided valuable knowledge on embracing digitalization, optimizing restaurant operations, and elevating the guest experience, setting a new benchmark for the hospitality industry in Africa.

The event was a significant milestone, empowering attendees with actionable strategies to drive revenue growth, enhance guest engagement, and integrate cutting-edge technology into their operations.

The session began with the importance of embracing digital transformation. By integrating booking systems, restaurants can reduce no-shows, manage tables efficiently, and increase revenue through special menu offerings. Additionally, the use of digital tools for group bookings can help restaurants manage inquiries more effectively, resulting in faster responses, better customer communication, and higher conversion rates.

The Masterclass covered the importance of synchronizing digital, print, and QR code menus, which helps reduce errors and ensure consistency across all platforms. This approach not only saves time but also enhances the guest experience by providing up-to-date and accessible menu options.

Creating an in-house food ordering platform was another key topic, emphasizing how such systems reduce reliance on third-party services, eliminate commission fees, and allow restaurants to have direct access to customer data for better marketing strategies.

The ‘Link in Bio’ feature was presented as a valuable tool for enhancing restaurant success by driving bookings and improving customer interaction through social media. Technology was further explored as a means to empower restaurant teams, streamlining operations, reducing errors, and improving the overall guest experience.

Lastly, the importance of in-house social media management was emphasized, highlighting how controlling social media presence helps restaurants maintain brand consistency and engage more authentically with their audience, ultimately leading to stronger customer connections.

The Masterclass featured a lineup of influential speakers who shared their expertise on key industry topics:

Paystack introduced innovative digital payment solutions tailored specifically for the restaurant industry. Kenya Country Lead at Paystack Caroline Hane-Weijman showcased how integrating seamless and efficient cashless payment systems can help restaurants reduce friction in transactions, manage bookings more effectively, and improve overall customer satisfaction.

Priya Bowry, a renowned food allergen expert, provided an in-depth session on allergy regulations, emphasizing the importance of compliance to protect guests with food allergies. Her session offered practical steps on how restaurants can implement robust allergen protocols to safeguard guest health, ensuring inclusive dining experiences that cater to all guests, while also mitigating risks for restaurant owners.

Domaine Kenya hosted an exclusive wine-tasting session featuring a curated selection of premium wines that can enhance restaurant menus and elevate the guest experience. Attendees had the opportunity to learn how pairing the right wines with their food offerings can create memorable dining moments and increase menu appeal.

Vishal, a prominent food influencer from Nairobi Disclosure brought an engaging perspective to the Masterclass by sharing valuable insights on how restaurants can leverage social media to boost their brand presence and attract a wider audience. His expertise in creating visually appealing content and crafting authentic food narratives offered attendees practical tips on how to enhance their online visibility and connect with customers in more meaningful ways.

Giuseppe Cianci CEO of booknbook, expressed his enthusiasm of the event,

“As the CEO and Founder of booknbook, I have always believed in the power of education to drive the digital transformation of the restaurant industry. Our mission is to provide restaurant owners and managers with the tools and knowledge to digitize their sales and operations, improving efficiency and unlocking new growth opportunities.

On October 8, 2024, we proudly launched our Academy for Restaurants in Nairobi with a masterclass in front of a distinguished audience of leading restaurants and hotels in Kenya. This event marked a significant milestone in our efforts to elevate the restaurant industry in Kenya and across Africa.

After years of hard work, seeing this dream realized is truly rewarding. I am excited about the Academy’s impact on helping restaurants embrace digital innovation and thrive in today’s evolving market.“

Wendy Lorenze Country Manager at booknbook for Africa , also shared her thoughts on the event’s success:

“This Masterclass was a powerful opportunity for restaurateurs to gain actionable insights that can immediately impact their businesses. We saw incredible engagement from participants, and it’s clear that there is a strong appetite for innovation and growth in Africa’s hospitality sector.

At booknbook, we’re proud to play a role in leading this transformation, providing the tools and resources that empower restaurants to embrace digitalization and create exceptional customer experiences. We are excited about what the future holds.”

The highly anticipated event brought together industry experts, restaurant owners, and innovators for a day of insightful discussions and hands-on learning, designed to equip African restaurateurs with the tools to drive growth, enhance guest experiences, and embrace the digital revolution.

In attendance were industry leaders, including The Tamarind Group, known for its iconic fine dining experiences, Tribe Hotel , Accor, Babylon Hospitality, Meat O Max . The event also welcomed representatives from Hemingway’s Collection, Billionaire Resort and Retreat Malindi, Kwetu Nairobi Curio Collection by Hilton, PrideInn Hotels, Fairmont The Norfolk, Mawimbi Sea Foods, a favorite among seafood enthusiasts in Nairobi.

Representing the restaurant industry’s diverse and vibrant scene were top establishments such as La Villa Restaurant & Wine Bar, a distinguished venue for wine lovers, and the multi-faceted Sarova Hotels & Resort Kenya, with its legacy of luxury and comfort. The Social House, a trendy and modern hotel offering a unique blend of leisure and business, also added its voice to the discussions.

Further enriching the event were Ezo Restaurant, Zen Garden, and Café Amka, all known for their innovative culinary offerings. Café Cassia and Mode Café, with their cozy atmospheres and top-quality cuisine, and Onza Restaurant & Bar, Soho Bar & Club, with their vibrant nightlife experiences, were also key participants.

This diverse attendance showcased the depth and breadth of Kenya’s thriving hospitality and restaurant scene, making the Masterclass an important platform for learning, networking, and sharing best practices. From luxury hotels and resorts to independent restaurants and bars, the event provided valuable insights into embracing digital transformation, optimizing operations, and enhancing guest experiences.

This Masterclass marks the beginning of a new era in the African hospitality industry, where technology, innovation, and customer-centric approaches will drive growth and success. With this event, booknbook for Africa solidifies its role in providing digital solutions that empower restaurants to stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.

About booknbook for Africa

booknbook for Africa is a digital platform designed to provide restaurants with the tools they need to manage online bookings, customer inquiries, menu experiences, and reservations. By leveraging the power of technology, booknbook helps restaurants streamline their operations, improve guest satisfaction, and drive revenue growth across the African continent.

booknbook For Africa Partners with Paystack for Africa’s First Restaurant Masterclass Academy: Pioneering Digital Transformation in the Hospitality Industry.

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booknbook for Africa, a provider of digital solutions for the hospitality industry, is excited to announce its collaboration with Paystack, one of Africa’s digital payment platforms.

The integration of Paystack as a payment gateway on the booknbook for Africa platform will offer restaurants a powerful tool to streamline online bookings, food ordering, and reservations while providing guests with fast, secure, and cashless payment options, providing our restaurant partners with access to a trusted and efficient digital payment system.

At the heart of this collaboration is a shared vision for leveraging digitalization to transform the restaurant Industry in Africa.

This collaboration with Paystack also extends to the launch of Africa’s First Restaurant Masterclass. This landmark event powered by booknbook for Africa, is set to take place on October 8th, 2024, at the Simba Corp Aspire Centre, Nairobi offering a groundbreaking opportunity for restaurant owners and hospitality leaders to embrace digitalization and cashless payments in the ever evolving industry.

Event Details

Date: October 8th, 2024

Time: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Venue: Simba Corp, Aspire Centre, Nairobi

The Masterclass aims to equip African restaurateurs with the tools, strategies, and knowledge necessary to leverage technology to drive success in an increasingly digital world. It will bring together top experts from the hospitality and tech sectors, offering actionable insights into how digitalization can improve guest experience, streamline operations, and boost revenue.

Digital transformation has transformed how businesses and consumers handle transactions. Paystack builds upon this foundation by offering restaurants the ability to accept multiple forms of payment. Paystack will provide insights into how cashless transactions not only make payment processes seamless but also create opportunities for restaurants to improve efficiency and enhance the guest experience.

A Case Study on the Power of Digital Payments shows Kenyan restaurants that have adopted digital payments have reported significant improvements in operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and sales. By eliminating the need for cash handling, they’ve streamlined their service delivery, reduced wait times, and minimized errors during transactions.

In addition to its focus on digital transformation, the Masterclass will feature a Food Allergen Expert, Dr Priya Bowry, Consultant Allergist working at The Allergy Clinic, Upper Hill Medical Centre since 2013 and Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital as private consultant who will address the growing concern around food allergies in the hospitality sector.

This session will cover how restaurants can better manage food allergens, educate their staff, and ensure safe dining experiences for all guests. As food allergies become a more pressing issue for many customers, this discussion will provide crucial knowledge on how to incorporate allergen management into daily restaurant operations.

This MasterClass is the first of its kind in Africa and is designed to foster a forward- thinking approach to restaurant management. Participants will learn how to implement digital booking platforms, manage customer inquiries more effectively, and streamline online food ordering and reservations through digital tools like those provided by booknbook for Africa.

As the hospitality industry moves further into the digital age, the solutions that will be provided in this MasterClass will be key to staying competitive and meeting the evolving needs of tech-savvy customers.

Join Us at Africa’s First Restaurant Masterclass Academy.

About Paystack

Paystack is a leading African payment platform that powers businesses by offering simple, secure, and flexible payment solutions. It enables merchants across Africa to accept payments via multiple channels, including cards, mobile money, bank account, USSD and Visa QR.

About booknbook for Africa

booknbook for Africa is a digital platform designed to support restaurants with essential digital tools for managing online bookings, menu experiences, customer enquiries, Gift cards, food ordering and reservations. Through innovative technology, booknbook for Africa helps African restaurant businesses streamline their operations and improve guest experiences.

MasterClass Academy Website: https://lnkd.in/dwzXNzep

booknbook business website: https://business.booknbook.co.ke

Restaurants Kenya Guide: https://www.booknbook.co.ke

booknbook Holds a pivotal Session on How Digitalization Elevates the Guest Experience in African Restaurants, Paving the Way for Digital Innovation.

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Africa TravelTech Summit & Expo 2024 Successfully Wraps Up, Transforming Africa’s Travel Industry through Innovation and Technology. The Africa Travel Tech Summit & Expo 2024 concluded on a high note, bringing together leading minds in technology, tourism, and hospitality sectors from across the continent and beyond fostering Digitalization in Africa.

Held at the Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi Airport, the summit attracted over 400 delegates, including travel professionals, tech innovators, policymakers, and investors, all committed to reshaping Africa’s travel landscape through innovative technological solutions.

In-depth panels examined topics like How Digitalization Elevates the Guest Experience in African Restaurants and Beyond.

The two-day event, which took place from 24th to 25th September featured a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focusing on the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of travel in Africa.

Rita Njeri, Product Manager for East & West Africa at MasterCard, highlighted their ambitious goal to enhance guest experiences by reducing friction in digital transactions. “By 2025, we aim to streamline processes and support over 500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them thrive in the evolving digital landscape,” she noted.

Emman J. Atwa, Lead M-PESA Product Manager at Safaricom PLC, highlighted the transformative impact of M-PESA, stating that over 300,000 agents and 613,000 merchants are leveraging the platform to drive economic growth across Africa. He emphasized their commitment to placing users at the forefront of innovation, He further emphasized that without Digitalization there is no future.

Bilha Mucuha, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Tamarind Group, emphasized that staying ahead of the curve requires maintaining a strong online presence while remaining authentic in your approach. “ Authenticity and a digital presence are key to delivering an exceptional customer experience and enhancing guest satisfaction, You cant build a future with Digitalization with a team that is disconnected.” she stated.

The event also set the stage for more robust conversations about how African countries can integrate cutting-edge technology to create more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive travel ecosystems.

The event fostered meaningful connections, with participants engaging in one-on-one discussions and round table networking sessions aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments, and promoting collaborations across sectors.This event has brought the collaboration of different stakeholders in the industry with an aim of archiving different values in the marketplace.

This traveltech summit has enabled  the efficiency of different places to work together and be part of an all in one solution for the growth of the country.

Africa’s hospitality industry has witnessed an exciting digital transformation, with technologies radically changing the way guests interact with restaurants and other hospitality businesses. Digital payments are transforming the way customers interact with restaurants. Contactless payment systems provide a fast and secure way for guests to pay for their meals.

Restaurants that embrace digitalization will be better positioned to capture the rapidly growing Africa, which is more tech-savvy and expects seamless, digital-first dining experiences. Moreover, as African cities continue to grow as global tourist destinations, the hospitality sector must adopt digital tools to meet international standards and cater to diverse consumer preferences.

We’re excited for what’s next in Africa’s traveltech revolution and looking forward to more collaborations. Let’s continue building a more connected, innovative future together.