Caterer Awards '17 shortlist: Kitchen hero

Find out which six kitchen heroes made the shortlist for the Caterer Awards 2017.

Faisal Kaniyan
Dubai World Trade Centre

With a huge operation at the venue which caters for up to 20,000 guests a day, the pressure on the stewarding team is significant. Under the leadership of Chief steward Abdul Aziz, Kaniyan is a key player in achieving such high standards of service.

Islam Youssef
Fairmont Nile City

Youssef joined Fairmont Nile City soon after graduation as commis chef, and soon won a Service Plus award, an internal Fairmont Hotels International award system. Youssef plays a vital role in the banquet team which is responsible for all internal and external catering events.

Jeffrey Elago Bautista
Dhow and Anchor, Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Bautista worked a few odd jobs in Philippines before moving to Dubai two-and-a-half years ago. He started as a steward in Jumeirah Beach Hotel and quickly moved through cross-training to become a valued member of the culinary team.

Leopoldo III Legaspi
Raffles Dubai

Leopoldo Legaspi started his career with Raffles in February 2013. He transferred to the kitchen as commis 3 in April 2014 and he was promoted to commis 2 in November 2015. Legaspi has recently been promoted again to his current role, commis 1.

Manjit Singh
The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina

Singh has worked with several companies within the UAE since joining the Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina in 2015. He moved into a position as a kitchen steward in order to move into the hospitality industry, advancing skills in his true passion, food and beverage.

M.I.Chamika Perera
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek

Perera got a chance to do his practicals in Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek through which he passed. He was appointed as a commis 2 and, after some time, joined ICCA in Dubai, where he gained a diploma in culinary arts.