Meet the sponsors: Caterer Awards 2017
Joanne Cook
Managing Director, SIAL Middle East
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
SIAL Middle East is the region’s fastest growing event for the food, beverage and hospitality industry, recognising the value in its magazine titles and events. As an event at the forefront of innovation in the F&B industry, We believe that the Caterer Middle East Awards will further the reach of SIAL Middle East to the who’s who in the sector.
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
Besides discovering leaders in the F&B industry this year, absolute networking is what we are looking forward to. As an event, SIAL Middle East is focused on networking for the food, beverage and hospitality industry.
We are hoping to have an opportunity to meet leaders from the sector and discuss the benefits of being part of SIAL Middle East and experience innovation not seen before in the region. We have found that 65% of the exhibitors coming to SIAL Middle East are new to the region and it is an excellent opportunity to be an early adopter of innovation in the sector.
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards this year?
We certainly hope that as part of this association, attendees to the the awards recognise the importance of business-friendly exhibition like SIAL Middle East and make it a point to attend it in 2017.
What is the one F&B trend you think will be popular this year?
Although already trending in the F&B industry at the moment, digital technology like apps based ordering/payments is going to further solidify in this market. An increasingly tech-savvy young audience means that this trend is only set to become increasinglypopular.
Is there any news we can expect from your company in the next 12 months?
SIAL Middle East is an annual event with something new to look forward to each year. From exhibitors to innovative products and new features, SIAL Middle East refreshes its offering each year. Stay tuned for all the new and exciting events.
Badrik Melikian
Chief Executive Officer, Aramtec
Why was it important for your company to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
We strongly believe that Caterer Middle East is the most reputable F&B management magazine in this region and we are proud to be associated with it. The importance of this association is to have the opportunity to get to know the leading decision makers of the F&B industry, stay ahead of the game by covering most up-to-date regional and international news on new projects such new hotels and restaurants openings, new exciting products and new brands. In our fast growing F&B and hospitality industry, to be associated with Caterer Middle East is a no brainer!
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
Exchange ideas with the participants in the food industry, share product knowledge and new trends, networking, and, obviously looking forward to congratulating the winner and sharing the moment of celebration with the worthy winner.
Which F&B trend will be popular this year?
Clean label/natural ingredients products (no palm oil or hydrogenated vegetable oils, no high fructose corn syrup , no preservatives, do not contain any artificial food colourings and artificial flavours). Health-conscious and organic products are the trend in the current F&B industry.
Any news that we can expect from Aramtec in the next 12 months?
Aramtec is growing in healthy double-digit figures year-on-year by having a portfolio of various world class food products and attracting highly qualified staff as well as suppliers who prefer to be our partners within our industry. Our goal is to double the size of our business in three years.
Fabien Firetto
Middle East Director, Bragard
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
This is one of the dates to cross on the agenda. It is the perfect occasion to spend some quality time with our partners. In this type of event, we are where we belong, which is close to the F&B professionals. It will give us a great exposure and show that Bragard is definitely alive and present here in the Middle East. We don’t want to miss on the important moments at the event. Our partners wear our products every day at work, so we want to be there too when they win!
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
We are obviously curious to see who will be awarded this year. It’s also a great moment to spend with the people we work with all year long but in a different ambiance and environment. Our new catalogue for 2017 has just been released. We are proud of it and we want to show it to the F&B world. People are always surprised to see well the range has evolved now. On the other hand, we also usually meet a lot of new potential partners at the event that leads to new business throughout the year.
Which F&B trend will be popular this year?
The market is definitely trying to evolve and do things differently, especially in hotels where competition is very high. We will see hotels opening with strong F&B concepts and even hotels that will be F&B-driven rather than room driven. Original concepts in lobbies will be interesting to see too.
Is there any news we can expect from your company in the next 12 months?
We want to empower our growth through the whole Middle East, making easier for each F&B professional to have access to Bragard uniforms. I was touring the GCC lately and the demand for Bragard product is still high. Finding the right partners in the Gulf countries is now our target.
Gavin Dodd
Managing Director, A. Ronai LLC
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
It is extremely important for us as a hospitality supplier to support the industry and give back to those who have supported us throughout the year. A. Ronai has grown as a company along with the hotel sector and it’s great that events such as the Caterer Awards celebrate the success of everything the Middle East has to offer.
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
We know how important this event is to all hospitality professionals and enjoy seeing the excitement of all those in attendance. We have established relationships with the majority of the nominees and we are delighted to celebrate the success stories in our great industry.
Which F&B trend will be popular this year?
Casual, yet chic dining. We are seeing a continuing trend towards more relaxed dining experiences created through the use of rustic products but in a contemporary and creative manner. We have found that Dubai’s latest outlets generate flair through the use of more unusual products for serving food or beverage but still offer familiar surroundings allowing guests to enjoy their experience in a comfortable setting.
Is there any news we can expect from your company in the next 12 months?
Exciting tabletop products for 2017 include several new collections from our crockery brand Steelite. Scape explores a multi-material approach with the unique ability to transition between dining styles using chinaware, melamine and glass combined to create an innovative dining experience. Willow has been designed for fine dining and exceptional presentation with its collection of wide rim gourmet plates. Stoneware and porcelain also feature in the new range with a mix of colours available. We have also recently launched a new lighting collection; Insight Cordless Lighting’s assortment of LED lights lend the required ambience to any environment.
Jad Asaad
Marketing manager, Horeca Trade
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
We believe that supporting the Caterer Middle East Awards as a foodservice partner is a perfect way to develop our relationship and strengthen the bond within the F&B industry. Through this exclusive sponsorship, we wish to showcase our growing portfolio of brands and their benefits to potential and existing customers, while at the same time, enhancing our profile.within the industry.
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
What we are looking forward the most is to meet the professionals who are behind the success of the best food and beverage outlets in the region and who make the culinary scene in the Middle East one amongst the most exciting in the world.
Which F&B trends will be popular this year?
Brunch. For us, this trend has taken the region by storm. It is not about a simple cup of a coffee and a croissant, but about savouring the best appetizers, the most exquisite risotto, the most delicious beef, and the finest desserts — all in one place.
Is there any news we can expect from your company in the next 12 months?
As always, Horeca Trade has set high expectations for the year. Striving towards excellent customer service is one of our main focuses, as well as widening our portfolio further and increasing our presence in the market.
Daniel M. Deliano
Marketing Manager MENA, DMK Group
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
It is a great opportunity for the DMK Group to introduce its brands and products to the top audience in the Middle East in the F&B sector. The Caterer Awards is a big opportunity for us to reach out to a big and high-profile audience. It will also help us to increase the awareness of our brands and the cooperative.
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
We are very much looking forward to meeting and connecting with like-minded people in the F&B business in this growing and prosperous area. Also, to gain insights and understand the drive of this very important segment and sales channel. Meeting opinion leaders and influencers will also be something we are looking forward to.
Which F&B trend will be popular this year?
Added value products in terms of both application and ingredients.
Is there any news we can expect from your company in the next 12 months?
Throughout the year DMK MENA will introduce under its number one export brand Oldenburger, products like a barista milk, lactose-free milk and a Vitamin D milk. Also our very popular Oldenburger Flavoured Milk will be relaunched with an enhanced recipe and a design relaunch of this category will come along soon.
With Oldenburger we just recently launched “Butteresse” which is a spreadable butter refined with rapeseed oil. Also, during Ramadan we will be launching our grated and sliced cheese portfolio. We are offering delicious cheese varieties like edam, gouda, emmental, mozzarella and cheddar.
Our Oldenburger Facebook channel will go live during the month of Ramadan. We will also roll-out the product range of our MEA brand Rose, with processed cheese and a traditional Middle Eastern cheese offerings. For more news, we will keep you posted…
Rashid Bahar
Business Development Manager of Technical Supplies & Services Company L.L.C.
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
TSSC sponsors the Caterer Awards to support the horeca industry that has been providing business to TSSC for the last 24 years. We believe that it is important for those who excel to be recognised for their hard work. We are delighted to say “thank you” for their continued efforts, outstanding creativity and dedication to the industry. Finally, it is one of the best venues to showcase and demonstrate any new innovative and/or existing products available in TSSC’s line up. In turn, this allows us to acknowledge and show appreciation of the quality brands our partners have entrusted to us.
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
We look forward to seeing all our friends in the industry and watching them smile when they win their hard-earned awards.
Which F&B trends will be popular this year?
We are hearing more and more about smaller venues for fine dining or casual dining entering into the market. This is to curtail the costs associated with high rents being charged by landlords.
Is there any news we can expect from your company in the next 12 months?
Keep a lookout for a recycling programme that we are promoting in an efort to be more sustainable and help reduce, reuse and recycle.
Manika Saxena
Food Services Manager, Global Export Marketing Co.
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
The Caterer Middle East Awards is the best way of recognising people for their efforts and services to the hospitality Industry. GEMCO feels proud to be a part of this event. It’s the best platform to thank people for their efforts.
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
The Caterer Middle East Awards is the best place to socialise with the industry people, it gives us the chance to meet the decision makers and also those who are working backstage. We are looking forward to getting in touch with more industry people.
What is the one F&B trend that you think will be popular this year?
UAE has been a place for diverse traditional food outlets. The new trend is to be health-conscious and that’s what we are expecting as well. More and more healthy and fusion food outlets.
Is there any news we can expect from your company in the next 12 months?
We are a known brand in the industry and our focus for this year is making our mark in horeca. We will be announcing our upcoming projects to members of F&B industry in the coming months.
Iman El-Huni
Managing Director, The Party Social
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
The Awards ceremony is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate those exceptional members from the F&B community of the region. It’s important for us to take part in the event as we work with many within the industry throughout the year and we hope to grow those relationships further going forward.
What are you most looking forward to at the event in May?
A reflection of the best that the region has to offer within F&B. We’re excited to see how the ceremony will unfold with such great talent we see developing locally.
What is the one F&B trend you think will be popular this year?
Within the area of tabletops, linens and accessories, there are a few trends that we see locally which are in line with global trends. One important trend is the interest in all things related to health and wellness. In table décor, this interest is translated into more emphasis on natural shapes and materials with less of a polished look and the use of ceramic plates, recycled wooden boards, simple cotton or linen fabrics, and mixture of patterns or styles on the table. This, of course, means that there are no hard and fast rules, as there are with more formal dining — but rather a more organic, easy going and relaxed dining experience.
Is there any news we can expect to hear from your company in the next 12 months?
We have been working with various hotels, restaurants and catering firms since we launched in 2015 and have heard from our customers in terms of what they would like to see. Within the next 12 months we look forward to offering a wider product range as well as more customised rental solutions to our partners in F&B.
David Beatty
International Business Manager — Middle East & North Africa (MENA), Meat & Livestock Australia
Why is it important for you to support the Caterer Middle East Awards?
The Caterer Middle East Awards provides Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) with an important platform for our industry to promote Australian beef and lamb to the dynamic catering sector. The Awards allow MLA to reach an influential audience to reinforce the quality, taste and versatility of Australian meat which is strengthened by world class integrity systems that set our products apart. Our farmers, processors and exporters are committed to supplying safe, healthy and quality red meat to the Middle East.
For this reason, MLA has maintained an office in the region for 48 years and we value the trust and relationships formed through the Caterer Middle East Awards and has allowed MLA to continue investing in a four-decade strong presence in the market. MLA also continues to invest in education and resources for the foodservice industry on Australian beef and lamb cuts, cooking flavours, techniques and recipe development, in turn enhancing chef knowledge and end customer satisfaction.
What are you most looking forward to at the event in May?
Together with the Caterer Middle East Awards we have the scope to promote the positive story of how Australian beef and lamb is raised in natural, wholesome surroundings so it can be enjoyed by millions of loyal Middle Eastern customers. We are excited to see who, and what trends are emerging and how this flows on to award recognition in the foodservice and catering industry.
Australia has long been a reliable and trusted global supplier of red meat products to the Middle East and we look forward to meeting new and old clients to reinforce this message.