Whissle blows away the competition at the Caterer Awards 2017

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

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.