Industry's finest celebrated at Caterer Awards
Last night saw 300 guests turn up to the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai for the spectacular Caterer Middle East 2012 Awards ceremony.
Chefs, restaurant managers, bar staff, industry suppliers and awards sponsors - even Michelin starred chef Gary Rhodes, gathered at the fourth edition of the annual awards to pay tribute to the outstanding work and efforts that have been made in the last year.
Three of the 14 awards were for the best outlets in the region, two of which: Bar of the Year and Restaurant of the Year went to Okku Dubai, while Roberto’s in Dubai International Financial Centre was named Best New Outlet.
Once again Okku’s Hugh Sato Gardiner was named Chef of the Year – Standalone Restaurant while Richard Green of Ritz-Carlton Doha was named Chef of the year – Hotel Restaurant.
An emotional Arnel Dela Cruz Godoy picked up the award for Kitchen Hero of the Year. Like many on the night he was thoroughly grateful to his team: “It’s really a team effort, it’s not only me – because of my team, they’re the ones who support me and give me everything.”
Another team that was thanked and praised was Jumeirah Hospitality: Madinat Jumeirah Conferences and Events after Andy Cuthbert was named Events Caterer of the Year: “what makes me so proud is that I take this award not for Andy but for Jumeirah Hospitality Madinat Jumeirah Conference and Events,” he told Caterer Middle East.
Sous chef of the year went to Abhishek Kumar of Le Meridien Al Aqah, while the Waiter of the Year was declared the Ivy’s Alan Greaney – famous for his ‘bear hugs’ according to colleagues.
The Caterer Middle East team received nearly 300 award nominations which it whittled down to a shortlist of five in each category and ten for the restaurant of the year. A group of independent expert judges then debated and deliberated over the shortlist before deciding their winning list.
Commenting on the success of the evening, Hannah Abdulla, editor, Caterer Middle East said: “The quality of the entries this year was astounding and certainly demonstrates the calibre of the industry here in the region. Having industry delegates from across the region including those that have flown in from Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt and Kuwait shows me just how truly dedicated the people in this industry are.
“I’d like to congratulate all of last night’s winners and the highly commended nominees who undoubtedly deserved to be on that list.”
Click through to next page for full list of winners...
The full list of winners
Bartender of the Year: Joseph Mijares, Fairmont Dubai
Highly Commended: Brett Bell , Okku. Sponsor: Nestle
Bar Manager of the Year: Motorga Heathcliff, Cavalli Club
Highly Commended: Phil Hardie – Barasti. Sponsor: MMI
Sommelier of the Year: Garth Beer, Okku Luxury Japanese Restaurant and Lounge, Dubai
Highly Commended : Krste Georgiev, Cavalli Club. Sponsor MMI
Events Caterer: Andy Cuthbert, Jumeirah Hospitality: Madinat Jumeirah Conferences and Events
Highly Commended: Stanmore Dawson, DWTC. Sponsor: Caterer Middle East
Waiter of the Year: Alan Greaney, the Ivy, Dubai
Highly Commended: Chetan Vithal Salian, The Royal Buddha. Sponsor: Caterer Middle East
Restaurant Manager of the Year : Mikhael al Mari, Fairmont Dubai
Highly Commended: Tracey Mu, Junsui, Burj al Arab. Sponsor: Patchi.
Bar of the Year: Okku, Luxury Japanese Restaurant and Lounge, Dubai
Highly Commended Barasti, Dubai. Sponsor: Patchi
Pastry Chef of the Year: Dragan Rucnov, Fairmont Bab al Bahr
Highly Commended: Aaron Maree, Blossom Sweets Abu Dhabi. Sponsor: Polo Point
Sous Chef of the Year : Abhishekek Kumar, Le Meridien Al Aqah, Fujairah
Highly Commended: Dimple Sharma, Atlantis. Sponsor: MLA.
Kitchen Hero of the Year: Arnel Dela Cruz Godoy, Dusit Thani Dubai
Highly Commended: Rajiv Tikania, Westin Dubai. Sponsor: A. Ronai
Chef of the Year - Hotel: Richard Green, Ritz-Carlton Doha
Highly Commended: Iqbal Mohammed, JW Steakhouse, JW Mariott. Sponsor: Aramtec
Chef of the Year - Standalone: Hugh Gardiner, Okku Luxury Japanese Restaurant and Lounge, Dubai
Highly Commended: Chung Yoong Koong, Bushido. Sponsor: Caterer Middle East
New Outlet of the Year 2012: Roberto's DIFC
Highly Commended: Gaucho, DIFC. Sponsor: Elenco
Restaurant of the Year 2012:Okku Luxury Japanese Restaurant and Lounge, Dubai
Highly Commended: Bushido and Sense on the Edge , Six Senses, Zighy Bay. Sponsor A. Ronai