Gourmet Abu Dhabi selects 39 finalists for awards

Thirty-nine finalists have now been selected for the 10 hotly-contested public accolades of the 2013 Gourmet Stars Awards, part of Gourmet Abu Dhabi which runs across 20 of Abu Dhabi’s restaurants from February 5-20, 2013.

The awards recognise individuals and restaurants that have contributed most to the UAE capital’s expanding hospitality sector. Following public voting, a judging panel will spend two weeks touring the shortlisted venues to cast the final vote.The second round of the public voting is now open until 14 January.

“Generating healthy competition within the industry and stimulating excellence, these awards are one of the most anticipated events in the Gourmet Abu Dhabi programme,” said Noura Al Dhaheri, leisure products development manager for Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the festival organiser. “This year we are seeing an impressive list of nominations from not only industry newcomers, but established favourites on Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene who continue to raise the bar.”

This year’s programme features 12 industry awards – two are not open to public voting – and are segregated into three categories - ‘Chef’, ‘Service’ and ‘Restaurant’ – and include: ‘Executive Chef of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Chef of the Year’, ‘Regional Cuisine Chef of the Year’, ‘Pastry Chef of the Year’, ‘Food & Beverage Manager of the Year’, ‘Regional Cuisine Manager of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Manager of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Host of the Year’, ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Regional Cuisine Restaurant of the Year’.

The two new awards in the festival’s fifth anniversary programme are: ‘Best Use of Local Produce by a Chef’ and a ‘Best Sustainability Practice Award’. These awards will be judged on separate criteria for evaluating and judging, and are aimed at encouraging the Abu Dhabi hospitality industry to increase awareness and use of fresh and organic local produce.