The Claw team collecting their Award on stage. The Claw team collecting their Award on stage.

The team that took home Casual Dining Team of the Year at Caterer Middle East Awards last night was Claw BBQ, Crabshack and Grill.

The casual dining sector has become increasingly important over the last few years, with consumer habits undergoing a slight shift.

The winning team has made a favourable impression on everyone and has had a low staff turnover with both BOH and FOH working together to generate higher revenue and reduce costs.

The jury loved the ability of the team to provide high customer satisfaction, particularly on busy nights, and to keep their cool.

Theo Braund, general manager of Claw BBQ, Crabshack and Grill said that high customer satisfaction is down to great team work at the outlet.

"They invest in the business. If it’s someone’s birthday I don’t have to tell them – they’re there at the table, singing happy birthday, dressing up, and they love it," he said.

With 95% of the staff still working at the restaurant two years after its opening, Braund revealed the secrets of staff retention.

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"I’m not saying we pay the most money or they get the highest service charge but I think the way they work – we don’t boss them, we don’t drive them, they come in, they do their own thing and they enjoy themselves.

"They put their own touch on the business. The only way to do it is to allow them some say on the business. If they have a feeling of interest and pride in the business then they’ll be more interested in sticking around."

Highly Commended for the Casual Dining Team of the Year was Biryani Pot Restaurant, Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi.

The other shortlisted nominees were Jazz@PizzaExpress, JLT, Pool and Beach Dining, Fairmont The Palm, Tom & Serg and Wagamama Al Fattan.

The Awards was presented by Omar Bahar, TSSC general manager.

The Caterer Middle East Awards were held at Atlantis, The Palm on June 10.

The gala event was sponsored by category sponsors Figjam, TSSC, Ronai, Meat & Livestock Australia, MMI, Aramtec, Baqer Mohebi, IFFCO, Pristine Belgium, water sponsor Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, coffee sponsor Julius Meinl, and support sponsor Gourmet Olive Market.

Also present were photobooth sponsor Pod You Like and social media wall sponsor TintUp.