The Awards Ceremony for the 2016 Food and Travel GCC Tourism Awards was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Bahrain last night (February 29th), under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
The event, organized by the prestigious Food & Travel magazine, is a part of the ‘Manama Gulf Capital of Tourism 2016’ calendar of events and was attended by Shaikh Khaled Bin Humood Al Khalifa, Acting Chief Executive of the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority.
“The tourism industry is a key contributor to the development of the economy in Bahrain and across the GCC and through the ‘Manama Capital of Gulf Tourism’ initiative,” said Sheikh Khaled.
“These awards represent the ultimate standard for hospitality across the GCC; a celebration of the hard working and talented teams at the hotels, restaurants and cafes throughout the region. It is also a true testament to the depth and quality of region’s flourishing hospitality industry; confirming the GCC’s place on the culinary and tourism map,” he added.
“As a nation steeped in history, rich in culture, and a passion for food and hospitality, it was only fitting that the world-renowned Food and Travel Magazine selected Bahrain to host the ultimate standard for Awards in the region; the prestigious 2016 Food and Travel GCC Tourism Awards,” he added
Over 263,000 votes were casted by the public in the first round, helping to choose an elite band of finalists.
“Food and Travel’s expert panel of hotel and restaurant inspectors have been working tirelessly throughout this year reviewing, researching and revisiting the finalists in their exhaustive and unbiased search for perfection,” added Salah Alhaiki, Publisher of Food and Travel Magazine.
The glittering event was attended by the leading lights of the regions hospitality industry; with guests coming from as far as the UK and China to Saudi Arabia and UAE.
The presentation party included an array of distinguished guests including H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Abdulmalik Al Al-Sheikh, Ambassador from Saudi; H.E. Mr William Roebuck; Ambassador of USA; H.E. Mr. Bernard Regnauld-Fabre, Ambassador of France; H.E. Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Saud Al-Thani, Ambassador of Qatar; H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Rashid Ali Al-Medelwi, Ambassador of Oman; H.E. Mr. Alok Kumar Sinha, Ambassador of India; H.E. Mdm. Suha Ibrahim Rifaat, Ambassador of Egypt and Rima Kilani Director of Marketing at the EDB.
The winners included:
Hotel of the Year St Regis Doha
Restaurant of the Year Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire
Chef of the Year Francois Xavier Simon (Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire)
Breakthrough Chef of the Year Daniel Everts – Jean-Georges Dubai
International Chef of the Year Alain Ducasse
Outstanding Contribution to the
Industry Gary Rhodes OBE
Hotel
Best 5 Star Hotel Four Seasons Bahrain Bay
Best 4 Star Hotel Swiss-Bellhotel Bahrain
Best Weekend Destination Hotel The H Dubai
Best Destination Hotel Ritz-Carlton Bahrain
Best City Hotel JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Best Resort Hotel Marsa Malaz Kempinski Doha
Restaurants
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant Tugra Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski
Best Japanese Restaurant Nozomi Riyadh
Timeless Classic Asian Rang Mahal – JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Timeless Classic International The Ivy – Emirates Towers Boulevard Dubai
Best Casual Chic Delphine’s – H Dubai
Best All Day Casual Villa Mama’s Bahrain
Best International Restaurant Rhodes W1 – Grosvenor House Dubai
Best French Restaurant Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire – InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Best Steakhouse & Grill Plums – Ritz Carlton Bahrain
Best Mediterranean Gordon Ramsey at the St Regis Doha
Best Indian Junoon Dubai – Shangri-La Dubai
Best Thai Tong Thai – JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Best Newcomer Antica Pesa – Doha
One to watch Nobu Doha
Best South American Toro Toro – Grosvenor House Dubai
Best Spanish El Faro – Marsa Malaz Kempinski Doha
Best Italian Vivaldi by Alfredo Russo Sheraton Dubai Creek
Best Asian Fusion Zuma Dubai
Best Chinese Hakkasan Doha