The great and good of Abu Dhabi's hospitality industry were out in force last week, as the winners of the Abu Dhabi Gourmet Stars Awards were announced.
Big winners at the event included Gary Robinson, from Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, who walked off with the Executive Chef of the Year award, while Restaurant Of The Year went to Emirates Palace outlet Sayad.
Gourmet Abu Dhabi organising committee member Dayne Lim said: “What was particularly noticeable this year is the amount of nominations — up by around 40% on last year, which reflects the growth in Abu Dhabi’s fine dining stock.”
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Promoted as the ‘Oscars’ of the local hospitality industry and presented at the Gourmet Abu Dhabi Gala Dinner, the award show was attended by more than 350 industry representatives.
The event at Al Raha Beach Hotel was presented by His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is presenting the culinary extravaganza.
The awards, which included the new category ‘Pastry Chef of the Year’, polled close to 50% more votes than last year’s edition, with 30% of all voters came from outside the UAE.
“This really was a difficult task for the judges with voting being extremely close in most categories,” commented Lim on the awards selection process.
Abu Dhabi Gourmet Stars Awards winners
Executive Chef of the Year: Gary Robinson, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Food and Beverage Manager of the Year: Ahmed Issa, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Pastry Chef of the Year: Avril Dsylva, Yas Island Rotana Abu Dhabi
Regional Cuisine Chef of the Year: Hassan Assaf, Al Mawal, Hilton Abu Dhabi
Regional Cuisine Manager of the Year: Prasad S, India Palace
Regional Cuisine Restaurant of the Year: Diwan L’Auberge, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Restaurant Chef of the Year: Jean Hurstel, Bord Eau, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Restaurant Host of the Year: Marie Irene, Ushna
Restaurant Manager of the Year: Thaer Hanna, Finz, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
Restaurant of the Year: Sayad, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi
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