About Us
Epicurean Digital Consultants blends 20+ years of hospitality leadership with cutting-edge digital design, branding, and AI automation.
Our Story
Epicurean Digital Consultants was founded in 2024 by Ali Solak, a Senior F&B Operations Executive with over 20 years of experience directing operations and concept development across 250+ outlets in five countries.
Throughout his career — from building 11 London stores for Simit Sarayi, to launching 8 premium dining concepts for one of the largest hospitality & retail groups in Saudi Arabia, to founding his own Guaca Restaurant Group (3 London sites) and 39 Steps Coffee — Ali kept seeing the same pattern: brilliant food businesses being held back by digital strategies that didn't understand hospitality, and consultants who'd never actually run a restaurant.
Epicurean Digital Consultants exists to bridge that gap. We combine genuine, hands-on F&B operational expertise with modern digital design, branding, and marketing — delivered by people who've actually managed kitchens, negotiated with suppliers, hired and trained teams, and sweated through Friday night service.
Our Values
Food First
We believe that great hospitality businesses start with exceptional food and drink. Technology should enhance, not replace, this foundation.
Digital Excellence
We create digital experiences that are as polished and professional as the physical hospitality you provide to your guests.
AI-Enhanced
We harness the power of AI to automate routine tasks, allowing you to focus on what matters most: creating memorable experiences.
Results-Driven
We measure our success by your success. Our strategies are designed to deliver tangible improvements to your bottom line.
Meet the Founder
Ali Solak
Founder & Lead Consultant
With over 20 years in hospitality leadership and digital marketing, I founded Epicurean Digital Consultants after witnessing too many exceptional food businesses struggle in the digital landscape. Having worked across every aspect of hospitality — from Michelin-level operations to large-scale venue launches — I saw first-hand how the industry was caught between generic web agencies with no food knowledge and traditional F&B consultants with limited digital expertise. I built EDC to bridge that gap: one consultancy that truly understands both your kitchen and your online presence. Every strategy we deliver is grounded in real operational experience, not just marketing theory.
Our Specialist Network
We operate on a curated specialist model. Rather than maintaining a large fixed team with generalist skills, we assemble bespoke project teams from a vetted network of industry-specific experts — designers who understand hospitality aesthetics, developers who've built restaurant booking systems, and content creators who know food. You get top-tier talent matched to your exact needs, without paying for overhead that doesn't serve you.
Brand & Design Specialists
Award-winning designers with deep hospitality portfolio experience
Web & Tech Developers
Engineers who've built booking systems, ordering platforms, and restaurant websites
Content & Social Media Experts
Creators who understand food photography, storytelling, and audience engagement
AI & Automation Engineers
Specialists in building intelligent systems that save time and reduce costs
Strategic Consultants
Experts in menu engineering, financial analysis, and operational strategy for hospitality
Want to know who'd be on your project team? Let's talk.
Get in TouchWhat We've Built
Beyond consultancy, we build the tools hospitality businesses actually need. Born from 20+ years of operational experience — solving problems we faced ourselves.
HospitalityCV
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Try HospitalityCV Free →Our Approach
We believe in blending traditional hospitality expertise with modern digital innovation to create comprehensive solutions for food businesses.
Understand
We start by deeply understanding your business, customers, and goals through thorough research and analysis.
Strategize
We develop customized strategies that blend operational excellence with digital innovation to achieve your specific objectives.
Implement
We execute with precision, whether it's launching a new website, training your team, or implementing AI tools to streamline operations.