2014 in review: Caterer Middle East Awards winners
The Caterer Middle East Awards 2014 took place on June 11, 2014 at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, in association with presenting sponsor Du, with more than 400 guests in attendance.
The F&B industry turned out in full force, with representation from both front-of-house and back-of-house roles, along with suppliers, to honour the efforts of their peers.
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Click through to see who took home the coveted awards on the night
RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR
MARKUS THESLEFF
Markus Thesleff, co-founder of Whissle Group, was unveiled as the winner of the Restaurateur of the Year category, which was in its inaugural year.
Thesleff is the mind behind the following concepts: Okku, H Hotel; Riva Beach Club, Palm Jumeirah; Sophie's, Palm Jumeirah; Claw BBQ, Crabshack and Grill, Souq al Bahar; Cielo Sky Lounge, Dubai Creek Yacht Club; and, Casa de Tapas, Dubai Creek Yacht Club. All of these venues reported an increase in revenues over the last 12 months.
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SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
IAN MCEVOY
Jumeirah Group's Ian McEvoy won the award for Sommelier of the Year. He was recognised for his tenure as beverage manager at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers.
Having joined the hotel in May 2012 as beverage manager, McEvoy has gone beyond his duty to host high-profile wine dinners with internationally renowned producers, and has, impressively, been responsible for a 72% increase in total beverage revenue in the last year. Earlier this year, he moved on to his role as director of beverage at Jumeirah Group.
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WAITER OF THE YEAR
JENNY AHLQVIST
La Serre's senior waiter Jenny Ahlqvist was named Waiter of the Year..
Alqhvist, who joined the team at La Serre as a waitress and was promoted to senior waitress within four months was chosen by the judges for her mentoring attiude toward junior staff members, her efficiency, and her problem solving skills.
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KITCHEN HERO OF THE YEAR
TARUN DOGRA
Salero Tapas and Bodega's commis 1 Tarun Dogra was awared the Kitchen Hero of the Year title.
Dogra, who was previously commis 3 at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates' K Grill, was instrumental in helping the team set up the new restaurant.
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RESTAURANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
HILLARY MATHEMA
Hillary Mathema, the F&B manager of Frevo at Fairmont The Palm, Dubai, has taken the Restaurant Manager of the Year award at the Caterer Middle East Awards.
More than just a manager, he has worked hard to innovate the restaurant’s offering and has understood the concept of the restaurant under his wing and tailored the experiences and events to match.
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BARTENDER OF THE YEAR
NICA ALEXANDRU CALIN
Collecting the first trophy of the night at the Caterer Middle East Awards 2014 was Media One’s Nica Alexandru Calin, who was named Bartender of the Year.
The hotel’s bartender/shift leader at The Dek on 8 saw off a high calibre of competition from the region’s numerous bars following a vigorous judging process, leading to him being crowned the region’s best bartender of the year during the magazine’s award ceremony held at Ritz Carlton DIFC on June 11 2014.
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CHIEF STEWARD OF THE YEAR
DAVID D'SOUZA
One of Caterer Middle East Awards' favourite categories, Chief Steward of the Year, was awarded to Emirates Flight Catering cleaning services manager David D’Souza.
D’Souza, who has been working for Emirates Flight Catering since 2000, was recognised by the judges for being calm under stress while working at such a large operation that demands a high degree of organisation and patience.
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HEAD CHEF OF THE YEAR - INDEPENDENT OUTLET
BEN TOBBIT
The Ivy Dubai’s head chef Ben Tobitt took to the Caterer Middle East Awards stage to collect the prestigious award of Head Chef of the Year – Independent Outlet.
Judges of this year’s awards noted that he had shown impressive attributes to his position having taken over the kitchen at The Ivy Dubai within a year of being sous chef. Over the past couple of years Tobitt had been responsible for saving the business considerable expenditure by cancelling an external caterer contract and providing in-house meals to colleagues.
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EVENTS CATERING TEAM OF THE YEAR
DOHA MARRIOTT HOTEL
Doha Marriott Hotel walked away with the Events Catering Team of the Year title at the Caterer Middle East Awards.
Doha Marriott's event catering team has been in place since it opened in 1999. However, in recent years, the hotel has shifted its focus from strictly in-house banqueting to large scale events such as concerts, cultural festivals, and events that span over several days.
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HOTEL RESTAURANT TEAM OF THE YEAR
ZANZI BAR
The Restaurant Team of the Year – Hotel award at the Caterer Middle East Awards went to Zanzi Bar at Kempinski Ajman.
Its winning team was recognised for being one that toils long and hard in logistically difficult circumstances in a venue which has been refurbished over the last year.
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CASUAL DINING RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
ASIA REPUBLIC
Asia Republic at Atlantis The Palm took home Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year Award at the Caterer Middle East Awards.
The team won over judges by making a favourable impression on everyone and being known for creating customer profiles of regular clients to remember food preferences.
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PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
PAUL HAYWARD
The award for Pastry Chef of the Year went to Paul Hayward, pastry chef, Madinat Jumeirah, at the Caterer Middle East Awards.
The award celebrated those pastry chefs for their ability to construct beautiful and delicious pieces of art that appeal to everyone, young and old. Hayward was a clear favourite among the judges, going above and beyond to conceive new concepts across a huge operation.
BAR TEAM OF THE YEAR
DEK ON 8
The first team award of the Caterer Middle East Awards was given to The Dek on 8, Media One Hotel, Dubai.
Judges were impressed by the winners’ close team work that resulted in increased covers, reduced costs and revamped food menus to attract a wider clientele.
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CHEF OF THE YEAR FOR A HOTEL RESTAURANT
AMRISH SOOD
Amrish Sood from Rang Mahal by Atul Kochhar at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai was celebrating after winning the Chef of the Year for a Hotel Restaurant award at the Caterer Middle East Awards.
Sood leads his team in their personal development goals, and is a believer of farm-to-table, with the restaurant supply chain using a lot of local products.
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RESTAURANT TEAM OF THE YEAR - INDEPENDENT
THE IVY DUBAI
The Ivy Dubai snagged the Restaurant Team of the Year - Independent trophy at the Caterer Middle East Awards.
Having witnessed a 34% increase in cover count and 32% increase in revenue year on year, the Dubai outpost of the London restaurant has become a strong player in the UAE market.