Voting Opens For 2013 Gourmet Abu Dhabi Stars Awards
Two New ’Oscars of Hospitality Industry’ Added For Fifth Anniversary Edition
Voting for the 2013 Gourmet Stars Awards has begun, with 12 hotly-contested accolades – including two new awards - due to be presented at a glittering gala dinner that draws the curtain on the landmark fifth showing of Gourmet Abu Dhabi - the UAE capital’s annual culinary festival which runs across 20 of Abu Dhabi’s leading restaurants from February 5-20, 2013.
Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the local hospitality industry’, the awards – voted for by the Abu Dhabi public, international visitors and an expert panel of judges – recognise individuals and restaurants that have contributed most to the UAE capital’s expanding hospitality sector.
“The Gourmet Stars Awards represent far more than the ceremonial end to the fortnight-long Gourmet Abu Dhabi schedule, they are now universally recognised as highly-coveted accolades in the emirate’s hospitality industry,” said Noura Al Dhaheri, Leisure Products Development Manager for Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the festival organiser. “The nomination process yearly generates increased voting and participation and the awards are highly anticipated amongst our ever-maturing hotel and restaurant partners.”
As in previous years, 10 industry awards are divided into three categories - ‘Chef’, ‘Service’ and ‘Restaurant’ – and include: ‘Executive Chef of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Chef of the Year’, ‘Regional Cuisine Chef of the Year’, ‘Pastry Chef of the Year’, ‘Food & Beverage Manager of the Year’, ‘Regional Cuisine Manager of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Manager of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Host of the Year’, ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Regional Cuisine Restaurant of the Year’.
With nominations generated through the festival’s official website – www.gourmetabudhabi.ae - round one, a public vote, has begun and runs until December 18. Following a week-long evaluation process from December 19 – 24, the second round of voting involves a public ballot running December 25 to January 19. From there, a three-strong judging panel comprising Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner, Motivate Publishing, Yasser Jad, President, Saudi Arabia Chefs Association, and Uwe Micheel, President, Emirates Culinary Guild, will spend a fortnight touring the shortlisted venues and casting its votes.
Haven taken a pioneering role in heightening industry standards in the emirate’s fine dining sector, Gourmet Abu Dhabi organisers have introduced new awards to mark the festival’s fifth anniversary: ‘Best Use of Local Produce by a Chef’ and a ‘Best Sustainability Award’ presented by BBC Good Food magazine, the event’s official Exclusive Food Magazine Partner.
“We felt it was time to fuse some local emphasis into the Gourmet Stars Awards and our two new categories will provide a lasting footprint in terms of rewarding those who are helping put Emirati cuisine on the map and those prioritising sustainable practice to ensure it stays on the menu indefinitely,” added Al Dhaheri.
The ‘Best Use of Local Produce by a Chef’ will be determined by the best use of local produce in recipes submitted by chefs or food professionals based in Abu Dhabi, with the judging panel shortlisting the top three entries and selecting an eventual winner based on five criteria: taste, originality, creativity, presentation and preparation.
The ‘Best Sustainability Practise’ will recognise an organisation, campaign, initiative or establishment that demonstrates leadership and commitment to the enhancement, preservation and protection of specific produce and ingredients indigenous to Abu Dhabi.
Evaluation criteria must prove a significant contribution to the sustainability of their chosen submission, highlight inherent leadership initiatives, detail impact on stewardship, as well as ecological and long-term significance. A dedicated three-strong judging panel of Georgina Wilson-Powell, Consumer Group Editor, CPI Hospitality Dubai, Darren Hiltz, Project Manager - Sustainable Fisheries, Emirates Wildlife Society – WWF, and Dr. Shahrazad Roohi, TCA Abu Dhabi’s Environmental Specialist, will select a winner and all nominees must submit various supporting documents. Full submission details are available at www.gourmetabudhabi.ae and deadline is January 13.
All winners will be revealed at the fifth Gourmet Stars Awards ceremony on February 20 at the five-star, beachfront The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. With reservations available from early January, Gourmet Stars Awards tickets – as well as all nominations, votes and submissions – can be registered at www.gourmetabudhabi.ae
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Date: Dec 5, 2012
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