2016 Food and Travel GCC Tourism awards announced

Manama, Feb. 29(BNA): 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, theMinister 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 Bahrainto host the ultimate standard for Awards in the region; the prestigious 2016 Food and Travel GCC TourismAwards," 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 andRima 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 MarsaMalazKempinski Doha Restaurants Best Middle Eastern Restaurant TugraBurjRafal 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 AnticaPesa – Doha One to watch Nobu Doha Best South American Toro Toro – Grosvenor House Dubai Best Spanish El Faro – MarsaMalazKempinski Doha Best Italian Vivaldi by Alfredo Russo Sheraton Dubai Creek Best Asian Fusion Zuma Dubai Best Chinese Hakkasan Doha .