More than 400 people attended the Caterer Middle East Awards 2017 on Wednesday, May 24 to see who would be crowned this year's winners across 16 individual and team F&B categories.
During the event, which took place at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Whissle Hospitality Group were victorious in three categories with wins for Okku’s Brendon Charles — Sommelier of the Year, Claw BBQ Crabshack & Grill for Casual Dining Team of the Year and Okku for Independent Restaurant Team of the Year. Okku’s Dimitris Panopulos also received a highly commended nod in the Waiter of the Year category.
The Croft also had multiple reasons to celebrate with Darren Velvick being highly commended by the judges for Head Chef of the Year — Hotel Managed and a win for Restaurant Manager of the Year, Jane Nedanoski.
All of the other winners and highly commended teams and individuals are listed in full below:
Bartender of the Year
Winner: Maria Essa Jannina Sinay, Bahri Bar - Jumeirah Mina A'Salam, Madinat Jumeirah
Highly Commended: Sanjay Fernandez, Areia Pool Bar - Double Tree by Hilton Jumeirah Beach
Bar Manager of the Year
Winner: Marvin Coelho, Treehouse - TAJ Dubai
Highly Commended: Luis Urrea, The Cigar Room - Fairmont the Palm
Sommelier of the Year
Winner: Brendon Charles, Okku Dubai
Highly Commended: Abhijit Hati, Cave - Conrad Dubai
Bar Team of the Year
Winner: Lock, Stock & Barrel
Highly Commended: W Lounge, W Istanbul
Waiter of the Year
Winner: Cecilla Sharon D'Cruz, Prime68 Steakhouse - JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Highly Commended: Dimitris Panopulos, Okku Dubai
Chief Steward of the Year
Winner: Vijesh Puthen, Media One Hotel
Highly Commended: Ahmed ElSherif, Fairmont Nile City
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Winner: Jane Nedanoski, The Croft - Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites
Highly Commended: Eduardo Maia, Ramusake
Pastry Chef of the Year
Winner: Peter Flieger, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Highly Commended: Alannah Doe, Savarin
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Kitchen Hero of the Year
Winner: Faisal Kaniyan, Dubai World Trade Centre
Highly Commended: M.I. Chamika Perera, Radission Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
Restaurateur of the Year
Winner: M. Oliver Zeitoun, Maki Group
Highly Commended: Cedric Touissaint, Coya Middle East
Head Chef of the Year – Hotel-managed
Winner: Gregoire Berger, Ossiano - Atlantis, The Palm
Highly Commended: Darren Velvick, The Croft - Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites
Head Chef of the Year – Standalone
Winner: Michele Spadone, Aubaine, The Dubai Mall
Highly Commended: Roudy Petersen, Catch Restaurant & Lounge
Casual Dining Team of the Year
Winner: Claw BBQ, Crabshack & Grill
Highly Commended: CaféM, Media One Hotel
Events Catering Team of the Year
Winner: Emirates Leisure Retail Events Team
Highly Commended: Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet Events Team
Restaurant Team of the Year – Hotel-managed
Winner: La Tablita, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights
Highly Commended: Bab El Nil Restaurant, Fairmont Nile City, Egypt
Restaurant Team of the Year – Independent
Winner: Okku Dubai
Highly Commended: Reform Social & Grill
Full coverage of the awards - including photo galleries of the winners, best dressed and who's who of F&B, will be on HotelierMiddleEast.com and in the July issue of Caterer Middle East.
Sponsors of the Caterer Middle East Awards include: Gold sponsor DMK, TSSC, Ronai, MMI, Aramtec, MLA, Bragard, GEMCO, Unilever, SIAL, Party Social, Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino and Newby Teas.
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