Caterer Awards 2009 judges announced!
The expert judging panel for Caterer Middle East magazine’s inaugural F&B industry awards has been confirmed.
The panel, including hospitality industry specialists from around the region, will comprise:
• Halima Anderson - director of operations, Ethos Consultancy
• Peter Hallmanns - advisory chef, Fonterra Brands Middle East and proprietor of Strategic Food Solutions
• Suzanne Husseini - TV chef/presenter
• Aidan Keane - founder of specialist leisure and retail design firm, Keane and columnist for Caterer Middle East
• Michael Kitts - executive chef and senior lecturer, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management
• Rob MacLean - principal, National Hospitality Institute, Oman
• Junaid Malik - beverage training manager, MMI Bar Academy
• Louise Oakley - editor, Hotelier Middle East
• Nigel Witham - chartered designer and columnist for Caterer Middle East
Recognising champions from all areas of the food and beverage industry, the Caterer Middle East Awards 2009 are open to outlets and suppliers across the region, with the lucky winners to be announced in the December issue of the magazine.
These accolades will recognise the top performers in over 20 categories, including Chef of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the Year, Kitchen Team of the Year, Bar Team of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Bar of the Year and Food Supplier of the Year — all of which can be entered free of charge.
Caterer Middle East editor Lucy Taylor said the in-magazine gongs were an ideal opportunity to acknowledge those moving the region into the international food and beverage spotlight.
“The Middle East F&B industry has grown rapidly over the past few years, in both size and strength, to the point where we have outlets to suit every taste,” she said.
”But the market is about more than the venues — it relies on professionals going the extra mile to make their food or team or product a success; and through the Caterer Awards we’re giving the industry an opportunity to recognise F&B champions from all over the region.”
Awards judge Michael Kitts, executive chef and senior lecturer at The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai, said he believed the Awards would be "a huge success".
“Any award given for hard work and continued effort in our great industry can only a good thing, not just for the ‘old timers’ but for the ‘young stars’ of the future," he noted.
Design firm Keane’s founder, Aidan Keane, added: “Rather than been made up of opinions of the editorial staff, these awards are voted on or by your industry peers — and that is what matters to a professional.
“Although you stand or fall commercially by the public's view and opinion, there is nothing like the hard edge of being judged by the people you compete against or admire, or even idolise,” he pointed out.
"When you are a professional, to be honoured by your fellow professionals is nothing other than great; to be feted by your industry is an honour greater than any other."
TV cooking show presenter Suzanne Husseini said she considered the Awards “a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and savour the achievements of all who make dining in the Middle East a delightful experience”.
Meanwhile Junaid Malik, beverages training manager at the MMI Bar Academy, said these were the first awards he had come across that "actually reward the people behind each outlet".
“In order for an outlet to be successful, they need the right mix of staff and it’s about time that we acknowledge these people," he said.
“These awards will show future hotels and F&B concepts the potential that Dubai has to offer, as well as highlighting those key personnel who help make these outlets great.
“The awards should also help the award winners to progress further in their careers,” Malik added.
Fonterra Brands Middle East’s Peter Hallmanns said that the awards would “create a competitive edge” in the region’s outlets.
“I like competition because it stimulates creativity and as such raises the bar with regards to service levels and offerings — plus it brings out the best in those who want to succeed,” he explained.
“And for those with less of a competitive mindset, it will most certainly keep them abreast of new trends and standards.
“I personally believe that recognition is the best motivating tool and anyone can get it,” he added.
NHI's Rob MacLean added that the Awards would also highlight the key role played by the F&B industry in driving the region's economy and status as a destination.
"They will raise awareness about what the industry does in terms of its provision of services to the public, provision of jobs to people in the Middle East, driving revenue for the economy and helping to support jobs in other associated tourism areas," he explained.
"The main advantage to training providers [such as NHI] are that the awards raise awareness in the eyes of young people who are planning their careers and are looking for some guidance on taking the right decision," MacLean continued.
"They also create competition with regards to human resource development between operators — and that can only be a good thing, since it is recognising that it is not always about the most expensive furnishings or menu content that differentiates one outlet from another: it is the people who do that."
Online nominations will be accepted until September 30, with the winners to be announced in the December 2009 issue of the magazine.
For further information about the judges and the awards process, please click here.
All nominations for the Caterer Middle East Awards 2009 must be submitted online — to nominate your colleagues, outlets or suppliers, just click here.