Tourism & Hospitality | Saturday 5 March, 2016 7:13 am |

The inaugural ‘2016 Food and Travel GCC Awards’ was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the presence of internationally acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs.

The glittery ceremony, held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Bahrain, was organized by the prestigious Food & Travel magazine, and held as a part of the ‘Manama Gulf Capital of Tourism 2016’ calendar of events. The event was attended by Shaikh Khaled Bin Humood Al Khalifa, acting chief executive of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, along with dignitaries and key figures within the travel and hospitality sector.

Nozomi located in Riyadh bagged the Best Japanese Restaurant Award while Tugra at the Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski won the Best Middle Eastern Restaurant. Also the Creame Award was given to the Maharajah by Vineet located at the Movenpick Al Khobar.

“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,” 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.

Over 263,000 votes were casted by the public in the first round, helping to choose an elite band of finalists.

Gary Rhodes OBE received the Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award. Other awards were given to Dubai-based Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire for the Restaurant of the Year while its Chef, Francois Xavier Simon, won the Chef of the Year award.

Daniel Everts of Jean-Georges Dubai received the Breakthrough Chef of the Year award while Alain Ducasse bagged the International Chef of the Year award. St. Regis Doha bagged the Hotel of the Year Award while Four Seasons Bahrain Bay won the Bets 5 Star Hotel category.

“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.