The judging panel for the ninth annual Caterer Middle East Awards has been assembled and Caterer Middle East can reveal that a panel of 12 industry experts are ready to cast their votes.

The nominations process is closed and the editorial team is currently working on shortlisting the entries into the top six for each category. These will be presented to the judges for them to select the winners.

This year’s panel comprises: Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai director of culinary arts Michael Kitts; The Cutting Edge Agency founder Duncan Fraser-Smith; founder of bar consultancy company Pineapple Rebecca Sturt; Ròya International general manager of F&B development & operations Andrew Morrow; Lynne Bellinger, founder of Purple Hospitality; chef Andy Campbell; founder, director & CEO of the ICCA Dubai, Sunjeh Raja, Abela & Co corporate chef Colin Campbell; Brandon Grusd,  senior training manager and consultant at Fling Bar Services; ITP Business editorial director Robert Willock; ITP Business Hospitality Group group editor Devina Divecha; and Caterer Middle East editor Claudia de Brito.

Caterer Middle East is committed to a fair and transparent process, and the expert panel is picked on the basis that they are members of the F&B industry with sector knowledge and no bias towards the entries.

The shortlist will be announced next month on Caterer Middle East’s online home www.hoteliermiddleeast.com and a judging session will take place in early May to determine the winners in all 16 categories.

The Caterer Middle East 2017 Award categories are as follows:

• Chef of the Year — Hotel Restaurant
• Chef of the Year — Standalone Restaurant
• Pastry Chef of the Year
• Chief Steward of the Year
• Restaurant Manager of the Year
• Sommelier of the Year
• Waiter of the Year
• Bartender of the Year
• Events Catering Team of the Year
• Kitchen Hero of the Year
• Restaurant Team of the Year — Hotel
• Restaurant Team of the Year — Independent
• Bar Team of the Year
• Casual Dining Team of the Year
• Restaurateur of the Year
• Bar Manager of the Year

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