2023 by Numbers.

Highs and lows from social media and beyond.

2023 by numbers!

+1 villa purchased.

+20 years married (!).

+1 Beyonce concert at the Atlantis.

+1 manuscript finished!

+300 followers for Substack (for a total of 5,784). As these are all organic, I’m happy with the overall progress, but I would like an even more significant increase in 2024. (And yes, this is a gentle reminder that you are always welcome to become a paid subscriber).

+10 episodes of Dubai byFood aired. And yes, we have lots more on the way!

+5 episodes of I Can’t Stop Thinking About This Dish with Dubai Tourism. I’m optimistic that longer versions of the series will be posted in 2024, as well as the potential for other series.

+15 Michelin stars. This number is down quite a bit from 2022, but honestly, I’m not mad about it. I’m happy with my choices and look forward to whatever comes my way in 2024. Furthermore, if we choose to include visiting Michelin-rated chefs, then my number would at least double. (Yes, yes, I know the star belongs to the restaurant).

+2,200 followers on Threads.

-1,000 followers on Instagram (part of this was me utilizing IG’s suggested removal of non-active accounts and bots, and this particular number doesn’t bother me in the slightest).

+1,010 followers on LinkedIn (subscribers).

+2,846.4% increase in impressions on LinkedIn. Yes, I made a big push in 2023 to focus more of my time on this platform, and I’m delighted with the results.

+120 followers on Instagram (channel).

+4 international press trips (down from 2022). Being able to visit France, Turkey, Qatar, and Holland were all genuinely lovely experiences. I also had a few fun stays in the UAE, including Hatta, Abu Dhabi, RAK, and Dubai.

111 million+ views on Google Maps (still my best platform and likely to tick over to 112 before the end of the year).

+3 new publications I’ve written with. Tasting Table, CondeNast Middle East, and EuroCave are all (hopeful) ongoing partnerships that I enjoy contributing to.

Overall, I’m quite happy with my professional progress in 2023 and more than optimistic for 2024. With two international press trips already in progress and more episodes of Dubai byFood to film, I’m in exactly the position I want to be in.

Thank you for your ongoing support!