Town puts on a show for esteemed guests, including “Father of PlayStation”
Hundreds of delegates from around the world who attended an international gaming conference which took place in Middlesbrough ended the day in style when they dined at Bazaar, which served a smorgasbord of delights from across the globe.
The restaurant, which has a cirque du soleil theme, removed some of its tables and chairs for the night, to create a welcoming drinks reception and encourage guests to walk around and witness live cookery, with chefs creating everything from authentic Italian pizzas to sushi and seafood delicacies.
The Game Republic New Horizons conference 2026, whose sponsors included Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough, where Bazaar is located, brought together the growing cluster of businesses across Teesside working in the gaming industry with other UK and international gaming industry companies.
It also featured some exceptional speakers, including “father of the PlayStation”, Ken Kutaragi, who tucked into sushi and other delights from the classy world buffet at Bazaar.
Tarek Thoma, owner of Bazaar, said he was “honoured” he and his team had the opportunity to cook for so many esteemed guests, who represented the great and the good of the gaming world.
Speaking after meeting Mr Kutargi, Tarek said: “I’m so proud and chuffed to have a legend in my home – it’s a dream!
“I’m honoured to see him enjoy it here – it’s amazing.
“Hopefully the whole of Middlesbrough will be proud of this great event that the town has put on, attracting people of every nationality, which inspired us to create food from all over the world – and they seem to love it, so I couldn’t be happier.”
Jamie Sefton, managing director of Game Republic, which organised the conference, also had a seat at Mr Kutaragi’s table.
He said he was extremely pleased that 450 people from around the world had attended the conference in Middlesbrough – including the guest of honour, who had inspired the many gaming professionals he knows in Teesside and beyond in their careers.
“He created something that literally changed the industry – really changed the game – and people have amazing memories of their first PlayStation,” Jamie said.
“Some of the games developers here got into the industry because they were inspired by Mr Kutaragi and we are so proud to get him to come to Middlesbrough.
“It has been the highlight of the event, as well as some of the biggest names behind some of the biggest games, being here today.
“We have some incredible games companies here, so it makes absolute sense to have an international conference here in the North of England – and here in Middlesbrough.”
The conference also heard from IO Interactive, which is behind the new James Bond game First Light and Fuse Games, which is behind the Star Wars Galactic Racer game.
Mr Sefton added the support of the Tees Valley Combined Authority to help bring their vision of an international conference on Teesside to life, had been exceptional.
“We went to them two years ago with the idea and they have been so supportive,” he said.
“They got the vision and understood what we were trying to achieve, in terms of a high-quality international conference and I’m pleased that we’ve gone from having 250 delegates last year to 450 this year.
“We just want to keep growing the conference, make sure it’s friendly and keep inviting more guests like those we have had today from Microsoft Xbox, Sega and Nintendo.
“Some major investors have come here today and the hotels and restaurants are full – so this will have a fantastic impact on the local economy.”
Dr Jackie Mulligan, director of Games Republic, added the event had put Middlebrough on the map for all the right reasons.
“The event has given Middlesbrough the opportunity to show what it can achieve when different organisations come together to make something amazing happen,” she said.
“It’s been an opportunity to show the world some of the amazing spaces we have here in the town centre and it’s brought a lot of people here for the first time.
“The feedback we are getting is that they have enjoyed it and they are also amazed at how many great games are made here, so it’s been an excellent showcase for the town and the industry here.”
Bazaar restaurant recently went from having a four-star food hygiene rating to five stars upon a reinspection.
Mr Thoma is currently working on numerous projects, including a cookbook, which he hopes will feature Marco Pierre White, with whom he has worked in the restaurant business during an illustrious career.
