Caterer Awards: INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS #2
After a long process of whittling down the hundreds of nominations submitted by outlets around the region, our panel of industry experts has selected the winners for the inaugural Caterer Middle East Awards.
The shortlists across 20 hotly-contested categories have been announced at HME.com over the past three weeks — and now the winners are being revealed online this week.
A trophy presentation ceremony and photo shoot with the winners will feature in the December issue of Caterer Middle East.
Today’s winners in the Caterer Middle East Awards 2009, sponsored by The Hotel Show, are from the individual award categories: Commis Chef of the Year, Sous Chef of the Year and Pastry Chef of the Year.
Read on to find out who has won…
COMMIS CHEF OF THE YEAR
This role requires someone reliable, quick-learning and dedicated to the profession.
The person who won this award needed to show the judges they had these skills and more, displaying clear progression over the past year, enthusiasm for training and developing new skills and ongoing commitment to the outlet and the team.
The shortlist included:
• Akila Fernando, Sumibiya, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
• Prabakaran Manickam, The Meat Company, Souk Al Bahar
• Gihan Waruna, Al Manzil Hotel
• Ziad Al Obeid, Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait
Our winner is a young chef who has quickly risen up the ranks, displaying “maturity and discipline well beyond his years”.
Judges noted that although he had undertaken a whole range of duties — from stock-taking and dealing with suppliers to assisting senior chefs with trialling new dishes — this team player is still always there to assist on training days, even on his days off.
The winner of the Commis Chef of the Year 2009 title is…
• Prabakaran Manickam, The Meat Company, Souk Al Bahar
Highly commended was Akila Fernando from Sumibiya, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek.
Read on to find out who took the Sous Chef of the Year title…
SOUS CHEF OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by La Marquise International
Being a Sous Chef is a delicate role: they are responsible not only for supporting the head chef and looking out for the business, but also motivating the rest of the team.
Our champion in this category had to prove themselves more than capable of dealing with any issues that may arise, along with the ability to be creative in their own right.
The nominees shortlisted were:
• Theodore Barnes, Bamboo Lagoon, JW Marriott Hotel Dubai
• Shibu John, Nineteen, The Montgomerie Dubai
• Nathania Wasserman, Al Manzil & Qamardeen Hotels
• Daniele Chiari, Piacere Del Gusto, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa
The nomination for our winner really emphasised two of his stand-out qualities: versatility and creativity.
These attributes, along with his efforts to diversify the menu, have resulted in a loyal customer base — while his dedication to the team and their progression has won him a great deal of respect.
Caterer’s Sous Chef of the Year 2009 is…
• Shibu John, Nineteen, The Montgomerie Dubai
Highly commended was Daniele Chiari from Piacere Del Gusto, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa.
Read on to find out who is our Pastry Chef of the Year…
PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by EMF Emirates
A pastry chef’s responsibilities cover a myriad of different creations, from speciality chocolates or pastries, to bakery duties to edible art-work.
But in addition to this significant talent, judges were looking for the winner to have also demonstrated a passion for staying on top of consumer trends, taking the initiative to suggest new ideas or try new things while remaining cost-conscious regarding ingredients.
The shortlist for this popular award was:
• Antony Fernandes, Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa
• Haitham Ahmad, Mövenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba
• Patrice Cabannes, The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai
• Ajmal Salim, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri
• Sarath Chandrasiri, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah
• Laurent Allereau, Four Seasons Hotel Doha
Responsible for the hotel’s entire pastry portfolio as well as an external chocolaterie in the adjacent souk, our winner is a busy man, boasting many other strings to his bow than just his excellent pastry skills.
These include competition judging, taking part in the World Pastry Forum and contributing to a number of publications around the world, with his years of expertise.
Judges noted his standing as a respected member of the team, demonstrated by glowing testimonials from his staff.
The winner of Pastry Chef od the Year 2009 is…
• Ajmal Salim, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri
Highly commended were Patrice Cabannes from The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai; and Haitham Ahmad at Moevenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba.
A huge congratulations to all our winners and runners up!
Keep an eye on HME.com all this week to find out who else has been chosen as a Caterer Middle East champion of 2009.