Lexington Grill proves it's the jewel of RAK

Sarah Jacotine, June 2nd, 2016

Lexington Grill at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah took home the award for Restaurant Team of the Year - Hotel Managed at last night's Caterer Middle East Awards, which was held at Conrad Dubai.

The hotel's assistant outlet manager, Roy Lanslots, and chef de cuisine, Lij Heron, collected the award on stage, presented by Sanjay Murthy, managing director of category sponsor Figjam.

The judges were impressed by Lexington Grill's efforts in making the restaurant into a reason for people to visit RAK and their commitment to personalising the guest experience.

The judges were also won over by the kitchen team making Lexington the only restaurant in the Middle East to dry-age meat in-house.

Speaking to Caterer Middle East on the night, Heron said: "As a team we have to work harder to beat the people here operating in Dubai, so it’s even more important to us [to win the award]."

He revealed that while the team felt confident in coming to the event, "it was a surpise to hear we had won" because "competition is always very high in the UAE".

He added: "We are making sure that Ras Al Khaimah is becoming known in Dubai."

Commenting on the win, Lanslots said: "If you look at our restaurant team, we have great cuisine and great service – you can’t have one without the other. Food and service need to be equally high, hand-in-hand; if one is missing, the guest will not come back.

"Team work and communication allows us to become one and this makes a successful team."

Highly commended in this category was Trader Vic’s, Hilton Doha. Lexington Grill also fought off competition from the other shortlisted nominees: Seagrill on 25° Restaurant & Lounge at Fairmont The Palm; Trader Vic's in Al Ain Rotana; Arboretum in Jumeirah Al Qasr; Nezesaussi Grill in Manzil Downtown Dubai.

Sponsors of the Caterer Middle East Awards include: category sponsors Figjam, SIAL Middle East, TSSC, Ronai, MMI, Aramtec, Al Rawdah, Sample Me, Bragard, Tequila Patron; our water sponsor Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, and our coffee sponsor Dallmayr.