Bahrain Food and Travel Awards 2015 announced

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, in cooperation with Food & Travel Magazine, has organised Bahrain Food & Travel Awards 2015 at Four Season Hotel.

The award ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed  bin Rashid Al Zayani and in the presence of Assistant Undersecretary for Tourism Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa on Monday night.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said: “Warm hospitality has always been a part of the rich tapestry and culture of Bahrain society with tourism playing a growing part of the lifeblood and economy of not only the Kingdom but the region as a whole. The constant need to strive for excellence is the key to success, especially in such a service-based
industry. 

“Tonight is the culmination of over a year’s hard work by the team at Food and Travel and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority. We asked the public to let us know their favourite hotels and restaurants in the Kingdom, and such is the passion for food in the region that over 63,000 votes were cast. It was a difficult task selecting an elite band of finalists and ensuring that the 2015 Food & Travel Bahrain Awards genuinely reflect not only public opinion but expert judgement too.”

It was a testament to the depth and quality of the nation’s flourishing hospitality industry, confirming Bahrain’s place on the culinary and tourism map,” the Minister added.

“Tonight, we honour not only those who will be coming up to the stage to receive their trophies. You are all winners having reached the finals of one of the most hotly-contested awards in Food & Travel’s 20 year history, and you should all be justifiably proud of such a great achievement.”

The awards aim at raising the tourism quality in the Kingdom and the spirit of competition and services in response to the needs of tourists and their expectations of tourism products and services.

Certificates were distributed to the winners of tourist facilities and restaurants, considering the votes they received and the opinion from experts’ panel.

The following were selected for the awards: 

• Four Seasons Bahrain Bay (Hotel of the Year 2015).

• Brain Becher re Asian Cuisine, Four Seasons Bahrain Bay (Chef of the Year) 

• Four Seasons Bahrain Bay (Restaurant of the year re Asian Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck)      

• Yann Bernard Lejard, Plums Breakthrough chef of the year (Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain)

Shaikh Khalid bin Humood also presented awards to: 

• Swiss-Belhotel Seef  (Best 4-star hotel)  

• CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Four Seasons Bahrain Bay (Best newcomer restaurant) 

• Mirai, Adliya (Best standalone restaurant) 

• Plums, Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain (Best international restaurant)

CEO of FP7 Akram Miknas presented service award to David’s Stir Fry, Adliya.

Vice Chairman of the Board at Aljazeera Tourism Company Dr Hafed AlMutawa presented the best Ramadan tent award to The Ritz-Carlton,
Bahrain.

CEO of Miracle Pico Khalid Jumaan presented the town restaurant award to Bushido, Seef. BMMI Board chairman Jehad Yousif Ameen presented the best family restaurant award to Villa Mamas,
Saar.

The Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha presented the best Indian Restaurant award to Rasoi by Vineet Bhatia, Gulf Hotel.

Japanese Ambassador presented the best Japanese Restaurant Award to Meisei, Adliya. Head of the tourism committee of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sufyan Al Moayyed presented the best Middle Eastern Restaurant Award to Villa Mama’s, Saar.

Executive Director of Tourism Sector at the Economic Development Board Bashar Gerard presented the best Thai Restaurant Award to Royal Thai, Gulf Hotel.

The best Chinese restaurant was presented by Director Marketing and Tourism Promotion at the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority to re Asian Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck Four Seasons Bahrain Bay.

The best brunch was won by Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq.

The best Mediterranean Restaurant Award was given to La Vinoteca Barcelona.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, has also won the best resort hotel.