Duncan Fraser-Smith, a passionate accomplished Australian, boasts an impressive reputation as a dynamic innovator, disruptor and creator in the regional and international food and beverage scene.

Duncan has over thirty years’ success in key senior management roles within the hotel and restaurant industry across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Australia working with the likes of  Hyatt, IHG and Accor and is the founder of The Cutting Edge Hospitality Agency.

In 2008, Duncan left Australia and a progressive career in restaurant and bar operations, to take up his appointment as General Manager of Hospitality Operations at Qatar Sports City.

Based in Dubai, UAE since 2010 and voted the No1 Influencer in the Food and Beverage Industry in the Middle East, his journey began as Group Director of Design, Food and Beverage for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) creating and developing over 100 food and beverage concepts for the group across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.

In 2013, Duncan founded The Cutting Edge Hospitality Agency and was involved in some of the region’s most dynamic projects. He was instrumental in bringing acclaimed Michelin-starred British chef Jason Atherton to open Marina Social in Dubai. He led the launch of CLE Restaurant and Bar with Michelin-starred chef Greg Malouf and executed one of Dubai’s most high-profile openings. He crafted the unique Intersect by Lexus concept, the second to open world-wide and worked hand in hand with Michelin Starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire to create and launch Choix Patisserie to name a few.

Duncan’s entrepreneurial spirit also led him to create a preferred partnership with Banijay Group (previously Endemol Shine), the TV production company for MasterChef TV Series to successfully launch “MasterChef the TV Experience” a world first ‘screen to plate’ restaurant concept that embodies the emotional connection found between the consumer and MasterChef Champions from across the globe.