BNC Publishing and Hotel & Catering News Middle East’s Leaders in Food & Beverage Awards 2019 will take place on Monday, November 18 at Sofitel The Palm, Dubai.
A region with a strong identity when it comes to F&B, the sector is among major beneficiaries when it comes to GCC government economic diversification drives, and has strengthened its foothold on a global level – which has, in turn, had a positive impact on the food service industry and suppliers.
Furthermore, the funding allocated to tourism and hospitality has been driving the food and beverage industry as well, with the GCC’s F&B market expected to expand. Its growth will also be propelled by upcoming events in the region including the Expo 2020 in Dubai. Global reports have revealed that the GCC F&B market is set to reach $34 billion by 2020.
With new, emerging concepts such as health-oriented dietary habits, veganism and more as well as innovation in food technology, the need for large-scale events that celebrate the industry and highlight the latest trends arises.
International brands and home-grown concepts are invited to take part in the Leaders in Food & Beverage Awards’ ceremony, which will recognise top players in the industry bringing excellence and innovation to the market.
Categories include both People and Restaurants, with some exciting new additions that reflect the dynamic nature of the industry.
Restaurant Categories recognise the best venues in the region, offering exceptional service and world-class dining experiences, as well as the biggest market disruptors, while People Awards celebrate visionaries, leaders and pioneers.
At the heart of every successful F&B outlet’s ethos is a commitment to sustainability, a crucial trend that has taken over for the past few years. The Leading Sustainable Restaurant winner will have demonstrated outstanding efforts and achievements with regards to environmentally-friendly practices, sparing no efforts whenever possible to source ingredients ethically and locally, manage waste, and more, while encouraging a sustainable lifestyle among its community and beyond.
Setting an example with its health-oriented offerings, this restaurant will boast a menu that caters to a range of diners’ food choices and preferences when it comes to nutritional value. Not only does it serve options for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians and many others, but the Leading Healthy restaurant must have championed initiatives to educate and inform the masses of the benefits of a balanced lifestyle.
Unique interiors, exceptional service and dishes, and a cuisine connoisseur spearheading the kitchen are among some of the criteria for the winner in this category. This restaurant will have brought something new to the scene and demonstrated consistency, succeeding in garnering its very own loyal customer base in a short period of time.
The winner of this category will have changed an aspect of the industry as we know it, putting their own twist on the business. From ground-breaking food truck concepts and foodie gatherings, to game-changing delivery services and multi-functional digital platforms, the Disruptor of the Year’s business model must be original, solid and creative, commanding its own place in the market and triggering positive change.
The Best Newcomer Award recognises an F&B concept which was launched within this year and has demonstrated remarkable performance. Whether it is a new kid on the block in the street food arena, or a sophisticated venue targeting luxury dining seekers, the winner will have redefined standards and introduced its own flavour to the industry.
When it comes to a 360-degree dining experience, aesthetics and ambience can make or break a setting. Best Interiors and Design, an award which is to be entered as a collaboration between the designer and outlet, recognises an impeccably designed space which reflects everything from diner style to price point, also ensuring a seamless workflow and highly efficient operations.
The winning restaurant in this category needs to have mastered the art of casual dining, offering a relaxed, informal space to its customers – while maintaining quality when it comes to food and beverage operations, as well as setting.
An exclusive, luxurious venue, the Leading Fine Dining Restaurant will be detail-oriented to the highest of standards, offering faultless service and tantalising dishes that reflect the true essence of high-end dining. Customers can expect an above-and-beyond approach at this restaurant, with experienced, knowledgeable staff catering to diners’ needs in complete harmony with the restaurant’s style.
Music that gets the crowd moving, lighting and sound equipment to complement it and more – these are all factors that are key to a magnificent nightlife experience. A hot city spot, the Leading Nightlife Venue will offer exciting entertainment that appeals to a range of partygoers and first-time guests.
Whether it is the latest in football or cricket, the Leading Sports Bar will be the perfect venue for customers to watch a game with the optimum selection of food and beverages to go along with it. This outlet will feature big screens and a comfortable, yet bustling, ambience in true spirit of the world of sport.
The top Brunch Concept will be a winner in the brunch game, featuring a variety of food offerings and the right entertainment to go along with it – with a focus on service standards and a fulfilling extended dining experience for its target crowd.
Mastering the true art of mixing different cuisines, this category is dedicated to restaurants that have managed to strike the perfect balance between foods from around the globe. The Leading Fusion Restaurant will create awe-inspiring dining experiences for guests – while staying true to the essence of each cuisine and highlighting some of its most defining characteristics.
A smooth, hassle-free experience is at the heart of successful delivery platform operations. Not only will the winner offer a user-friendly interface, but it will also ensure unmatched service from the moment customers sign in all the way to post-delivery assistance and complaint management.
During has spent most of his life living and working across the globe including 10 years with Hyatt International Hotels in executive positions in luxury urban and resort properties in the Middle East, Serbia, Spain and Kazakhstan.
In 1997, During joined Wafi City and spearheaded the project from its conceptual stages, to design, development and opening. His duties as Pyramids general manager were further extended to Wafi City and MKM Group of Companies, heading up the Food and Beverage division and tasked with the opening and operations of 17 outlets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In April 2001, During established Thomas Klein International in Dubai Media City.
Finian Conrad Gallagher is an award-winning, Michelin Star chef and multiple cookbook author with over 30 years of culinary experience. A visionary entrepreneur and formerly the owner and creator of his own world-renowned brands, as well as being the CEO of Aura Hospitality, a company with 30 brands and 42 outlets, Gallagher is spearheading the development of all-new concepts around the globe from London, New York, Cape Town and Dubai.
After spending many years in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and most recently Abu Dhabi and South Africa, and now bringing his unique flair to Food Concepts 360 brands, the company has continued its successful expansion under Gallagher’s leadership with the creation of new concepts.
Martin Kubler is a hotel GM and hospitality and service industries consultant with 20+ years of executive-level management experience in hotels, in Europe and the Middle East, and interim-and board-level consulting experience in Africa and Asia.
Kubler is the founder of Iconsulthotels, a boutique hospitality, leisure, and tourism consulting firm, and the CEO of sps:affinity, a Dubai-headquartered business advisory and consulting company. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, a frequent speaker at hotel, marketing and customer service conferences and events, and a regular contributor to industry websites and publications.
McLean has managed the development of a number of retail and F&B projects in Australia, Singapore and China, before taking up a project management role in Dubai where he consulted for Nakheel Shopping Malls and later, Emirates Leisure Retail.
Along with his Partners, McLean co-founded the multi-award-winning Compass Project Consulting in 2014. To date, the team has successfully delivered over 150 F&B as well as hospitality projects throughout the region, representing respected owners, operators, designers and landlords to deliver memorable destinations.
Sinha founded Insignia Worldwide Group in 2003, and stands as the visionary mastermind behind the world’s first brand enrichment company, specialising in travel and destination creation. As a creative protagonist, he has accumulated a formidable portfolio of achievements which has solidified his status as an internationally recognised leader in his field.
Based in Dubai for the past 22 years and before launching Insignia, Sinha spent a decade in advertising at Lowe. He then took on the illustrious role of head of marketing for Hilton Worldwide in the Arabian Gulf between 1998 and 2002.
Nominations are closed for BNC Publishing and Hotel & Catering News Middle East’s Leaders in Food & Beverage Awards 2019, which will take place on Monday, November 18 at Sofitel The Palm, Dubai.
Categories include both People and Restaurants, with some exciting new additions that reflect the dynamic nature of the industry. Restaurant Categories recognise the best venues in the region, offering exceptional service and world-class dining experiences, as well as the biggest market disruptors, while People Awards celebrate visionaries, leaders and pioneers. Check out the Categories here.
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