St. Regis Doha and Marsa Malaz Kempinski Doha bag Prestigious Awards in Bahrain

Bahrain March 1st, 2016

The inaugural '2016 Food and Travel GCC Awards' was held on Monday February 29, 2016 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. 

St. Regis Doha bagged the Hotel of the Year Award while Marsa Malaz Kempiski Doha won the Best Resort.

In the restaurants category, Gordon Ramsay at the St. Regis received the Best Mediterranean Award while Best Newcomer Award was nabbed by Qatar-based Antica Pesa and Award for Best Spanish Restaurant was clenched by El Faro at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski Doha. Hakkasan Doha received the Best Chinese Restaurant Award.

"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.

"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 full award list:

Hotel[FM1] 

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 Ramsay 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

-Ends-

Read more about all the great finalists and winners at gcctourismawards.com

 [FM1]Shouldn't we add St.Regis Doha to the list?

© Press Release 2016