Click on 'Comment' to tell us what you think of the winners of the first ever Caterer Awards! Click on 'Comment' to tell us what you think of the winners of the first ever Caterer Awards!


CHEF OF THE YEAR

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Being a successful head chef is a balancing act between culinary creativity and sharp business acumen.

In the Caterer Chef of the Year 2009, judges were looking for inventive and relevant menu development alongside a focus on profit margins, the ability to be receptive and adaptable to both industry and consumer trends, and evidence of someone who really champions and motivates his team.

From the dozens of nominations submitted in this category, the final shortlist of ten made formidable reading, encompassing a veritable who’s who of the region’s culinary masters:

• Norberto Valdez Palacios, Asado, The Palace — The Old Town

• Christophe Prud'homme, Al Bustan Rotana Dubai

• Andreas Kurfurst, Renaissance Dubai Hotel

• Uwe Micheel, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek

• Olivier Biles, Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire, InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City

• Matt Pickop, Hilton Dubai Creek

• Geoff Haviland, Al Manzil and Qamardeen Hotels

• Gerald Bergue, Six Senses Hideaway, Zighy Bay

• Chandrasena Sudusinghe, Traders Hotel Dubai

• Edgar Razon, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah

• Dimitrios Koutsonikolas, Ramses Hilton

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The winner, a stalwart on the region’s culinary scene, has shown great initiative and creativity over the difficult past year.

His consistent efforts to get the property’s F&B team involved in local events, charity fund raising, numerous in-house promotions and in-house training is a measure of his dedication to the industry.

He was also marked out by judges for his tireless involvement with both local and international events geared towards boosting the country and the region’s culinary profile.

Caterer Middle East’s Chef of the Year 2009 is…

• Uwe Micheel, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek


Highly commended were:

Matt Pickop, Hilton Dubai Creek

Olivier Biles, Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire, InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City

Gerald Bergue, Six Senses Hideaway, Zighy Bay

Norberto Valdez Palacios, Asado, The Palace — The Old Town




 

A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists in the first ever Caterer Middle East Awards.

We thank you for your nominations and your support, and look forward to welcoming you to a full ceremony in 2010 for next year’s F&B industry awards instalment!

In the mean time, keep up the good work — and look out for the next issue of Caterer Middle East for full awards coverage.