A region known for luxury, elegance and cutting-edge interior design when it comes to hotels, this award is the talk of the town. The winner will be a property that has shown a clear focus on delivering an interior like no other.

A region known for luxury, elegance and cutting-edge interior design when it comes to hotels, this award is the talk of the town. The winner will be a property that has shown a clear focus on delivering an interior like no other.

This company will boast a development model with strong digital tools. It will have increased its ranking, acquisitions and more, and accelerated its scope of activity even in face of challenges.

Always a tricky task, the Catering Company of the Year will have built an outstanding reputation as the region’s leading caterer. From organisation to communication, its success, backed by the expertise of its staff, is the basis for some of the region’s finest experiences, guaranteed to impress any palate. Attention to detail, coupled with unrivalled customer service, is what makes this company the winner of this award.

This award category recognises the top foodtech company across all business operations and segments, including creativity in the solution created, the positive impact it has had on society and food security in the region, and the best use of technology coupled with a stellar customer experience offering.

This company will have continued to go from strength to strength, confounding the headwinds it faces with an innovative and dynamic approach to business, which has driven consistent sales growth.

This award recognises innovative, new, or updated products and services which exemplify a company’s adaptability and resilience in three categories: sustainability, technology, and safety and health.

It has been a massive year for delivery, as all aggregators competed to win the hearts (and tummies) of hungry diners. 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.

It has been a massive year for delivery, as all aggregators competed to win the hearts (and tummies) of hungry diners. 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.

Capitalising on the delivery-only customer, the winning cloud kitchen concept saw an opportunity for growth, supported the restaurant industry, and allowed new chefs to enter the food industry without any difficulty.

This award goes to the F&B brand be it a service or product provider, that has created and implemented creative sustainability strategies and practices that have a strong impact on the environment.

It is all about the mix when it comes to this big winner. Mastering the true art of combining different cuisines, this category is dedicated to restaurants that have managed to strike the perfect balance between foods from around the world. 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.

Looking for tasty sips or quick bites? Cafés in the region are one step ahead when it comes to solid offerings – the beating heart of the dining scene. Known for some of the best spots, the Middle East has brought extra flair and attention to detail to the concept, and that is why we will be awarding whoever has done it best this year in this important category.

This award celebrates a Middle Eastern restaurant that delivers authentic dishes, and whose atmosphere and experience takes diners on a cultural exploration of exceptional flavours and traditions of the Middle East.

We are looking for the best Indian restaurant in the region. From taste to design, this award will honour the restaurant that best captures the rich flavours of Indian cuisine while taking guests on a cultural journey.

A continent incredibly rich and diverse when it comes to different cultures and cuisines. This award honours a restaurant that has truly brought the distinctive aromas and traditions of East Asia to the Middle East.

When choosing a restaurant, food, price, and location are all key, but many have added another layer – this award goes to the best-themed restaurant in the region that has gained popularity with its out-of-this-world uniqueness.

The restaurant that wins this award demonstrates a true understanding of what it means to work with the land and takes its commitment to the environment seriously. We are looking for a restaurant that has the highest environmental and social responsibility practices and ratings.

This award celebrates the best ranking fast-food chain in the region, from quality, service, revenue, and reach.

The winning team in this category will have displayed operational excellence with outstanding efficiency, productivity and quality. They will have demonstrated a seamless communication process that facilitates outstanding customer service across the property.

This is someone who is making waves in the Middle East’s hotel scene. This person demonstrates tenacity, creativity and the potential to make a significant impact on the region’s hospitality landscape.

The Leading Hospitality Heavyweight will be someone who is known in the industry for their expertise in the sector. The winner will be a leading light in the industry who has the reputation of being an expert, and the charisma and personality to be the heavyweight.

The maestro of it all, bringing all elements of the dining experience together, the Leading Hotel F&B Director award highlights the achievements of an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional ability to exceed KPIs, streamlining operational processes, developing and enhancing restaurant concepts and maintaining excellence in team leadership and management.

This award will go to a hospitality veteran who has dedicated their life to the pursuit of excellence across the hotel industry. Their achievements will have made the industry a better place for, not only those who have worked with them, but the entire sector.

The winner of this award will have shown commitment to identifying opportunities in the industry and putting their money where it matters. The Leading Hospitality Entrepreneur will be someone whose absence from the hospitality sector would have made it a very different place.

Demonstrating outstanding leadership and inspiration, this year’s winner will possess a strong passion, while being prepared to go the distance to deliver excellence across operations and represent their brand.

There is no restaurant without the chef, and we send our compliments to those who have made our table as appealing and unique as can be. Open to head chefs and executive chefs, the Chef of the Year Award recognises an individual who has shown passion for the art of cooking, in addition to culinary flair and a strong skillset pertaining to overseeing kitchen operations efficiently while managing costs.

The Middle Eastern scene boasts some of the most beautiful, artistic creations in the world of pastry. The Pastry Chef of the Year is a master of his craft, with a strong grasp of the fundamentals, as well as a flair for new techniques and sourcing quality ingredients. Their creations are the talk of the town, consistently exceeding expectations with a “wow” factor.

There is nothing like a good coffee! The Barista of the Year will know the formula that works – and work it into the menu. From cappuccinos, to flat whites, ask any coffee lover and they will tell you, they are a force to be reckoned with.

The UAE and region are home to some of the most dynamic teams in the industry, most of which have endured extra pressure during the pandemic. An F&B team who consistently demonstrates operational excellence and exceptional productivity along with attention to detail, the winning service team will have full control over internal communication and customer service.

Putting the brand out there and measuring success while gauging demand for newer offerings, a marketeer understands the market and can predict any obstacles or challenges – and formulate strategies and solutions to overcome them. The Marketeer will have a clear vision when it comes to conceptualising, planning and implementing effective F&B campaigns.

With one of the most hands-on roles in the industry, the Restaurant Manager of the Year is responsible for a very successful restaurant brand born in the Middle East or abroad; they will be well-versed in the ins and outs of running a restaurant and boast a strong business acumen.