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Wed, Nov 27, 2024 | Jumada al-Awwal 26, 1446 | DXB
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As it happened: Best of Dubai restaurants take home the glory during DXB F&B Awards 2024
Here's a rundown of which eateries took home what award
And that's a wrap!
There you have it folks, our list of epic eateries and experiences in Dubai, the city that loves to eat.
It may not come as a surprise to you (it doesn’t to us) that people in Dubai eat out – a lot. In fact, in one report by Compare the Market, the city was named one of the world’s top 10 cities for foodies in 2023.And the number of restaurants around the city has only gone up since then.
It may be one of the food capitals of the world, but that’s not to say all the eateries in the city are fine. Fortunately, you’ve got Khaleej Times on your side to help you pick out the best from the rest.
The annual DXB F&B Awards, held on November 27 at Address Sky View, was all about celebrating the city's food scene, exploring innovation, seeking excellence and homing on gastronomic treats that call for recognition.
Guests find their seats before the awards
British TV presenter and voiceover artist Katie Overy was the host for the gala.
Here's a look at what went down.
9.36pm: It's time for more awards!
Drum roll please....the winners are:
Best South Asian (Fine Dining): Tresind Studio
Best Italian (Fine Dining): Social
Best Middle Eastern (Fine Dining): Orfali Bros Bistro
Best Japanese and Nikkei (Fine Dining): Takahisa
Best Steakhouse: Beefbar
Best Pan Asian (Fine Dining): Hakkasan
Best Beach Club: Tagomago
Best Dinner Show: Josette
Special award for Most Positive Impact on the Community: Chef Russell Impiazzi
Anamika Chatterjee, Associate Editor- Features, Editorial – Weekend, Khaleej Times, gives the closing note. Photo by Shihab
9.15pm: Singer Chelsey Chantelle takes the stage
Chantelle walks around the tables, getting the audience grooving. She sings Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter, Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson, and Happy by Pharrell Williams.
9.04pm: And there are more awards...
Best British (Casual Dining): The Eloquent Elephant
Best South Asian (Casual Dining): Mohalla
Best Italian (Casual Dining): Cucina
Best Middle Eastern (Casual Dining): Bait Maryam
Best Japanese and Nikkei (Casual Dining): REIF Japanese Kushiyaki
Best Sports Bar: McGettigan’s
Best Ladies Night: Barfly by Buddha-Bar
9.01pm: More prizes are given
CFO Saghir Ahmed Khan hands over prizes for:
Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Avatara
Homegrown Icon: Mythos
Most Charming Heritage Restaurant: Arabian Tea House
8.57pm: And there are more prizes...
Michael Jabri-Pickett, Editor-in-Chief of Khaleej Times, is handing out the next few awards.
The title of Best Brunch is won by Carnival by Tresind.
Carnival by Tresind proves that Indian food is so much more than the generic curry. Now put gastronomic goodness with the quintessential brunch and what do you get? An absolutely winning brunch.
La Niña Dubai is named Most Instagrammable Restaurant.
We feast first with our eyes before any other sense and this restaurant, which plates up modern Iberian Latino cuisine, has got this lesson down. No wonder it’s at the top of our most Instagrammable spots. From the vibe of the restaurant to the performances and elegance of the dishes put before you, it’s got it all. The one thing you can be sure of when you go to La Niña Dubai is that you are going home with a full reel.
BOCA becomes the Sustainability Champion.
Sustainability is often used as a buzzword for publicity, except if you are BOCA, at Dubai International Financial Centre. This modern Spanish restaurant stands on five pillars of sustainability: champion local produce, proactive and conscious waste management, valuing resources – using renewable energy, calculating and reporting carbon emissions and sustainability ratings, sustainability for the community.
8.49pm: And the award goes to...
And so it's time to call on the winners.
CEO of Khaleej Times, Charles Yardley is on the stage to give the first award.
The Best Breakfast Experience goes to ... Maisan15.
Maisan15. You may be confused by what to call this restaurant-slash-cafe-slash-gallery-slash-garden-slash-library hotspot. But we call it the ultimate breakfast venue where you can get classics such as avocado on toast and local Burrata.
The award for Best Patisserie goes to ... Bageri Form.
Bageri Form. Sometimes simple really is best – and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this bakery, which specalises in hand-made treats and specialty coffee.
The Best Business Lunch goes to ... SUSHISAMBA.
The Japanese and Latin American sushi is the perfect place to conduct business or spend time with your best buddies as you make the most of your lunch hour. The restaurant, on the 51st floor of the St Regis hotel, will not only give you gorgeous views of the Palm Jumeirah coastline if you peek out the windows but also a stunning view indoors, when you check out the 3D-printed ceiling installation featuring intricate woodwork inspired by Japanese and Brazilian weaving traditions.
8.26pm: Illusionist Abdullah takes to the stage
Illusionist Abdullah Mahmoud in DXB Fand B awards in Dubai. 27 November, 2024. Photo by Shihab
Illusionist Abdullah Mahmoud is ready to showcase his brand of magic to the audience. The member of international magicians society calls a number of people to assist him on stage, each act more surprising than the last, each resulting in louder cheers from the crowd.
Mahmoud, like his peers David Copperfield and Criss Angel, is all about tricks that shock and awe.
7.49pm: Panel two: Fostering a thriving F&B workforce
Zainab Haider, Head People and Culture, UAE, Americana Restaurants, Abdul Kader Saadi, Founder, Glee Hospitality Solutions, Tyrone Reid, Group CEO, MMI and ELR ,Dr Navin Kumar Sharma, Head of Rand D – New Growth Platforms, Reckitt Pro Solutions during the panel discussion in DXB F&B awards in Dubai. 27 November, 2024. Photo by Shihab
Who is on the panel? Zainab Haider, Head People &Culture, UAE, Americana Restaurant (moderator); Abdul Kader Saadi, Founder, Glee Hospitality Solutions; Tyrone Reid, Group CEO at MMI and ELR; Dr. Navin Kumar Sharma, Head of R&D, New Growth Platforms, Reckitt Pro Solutions.
"When we look at hospitality, it's crucial to have a sense of purpose that drives the team, helping them feel they are contributing to something greater. This brings everything together and is central to any team in hospitality, as we are rooted in human connection and serving people," says Reid.
"Technology is an enabler, not a replacement for human resources. While many are concerned about AI, we are still a long way from a reality where AI can replace humans. Technology is here to assist, support, and provide valuable data to help your team, not to replace the human touch," says Kader Saadi.
7.41pm: Blake McKeown takes to the stage
McKeown is the Global Business Solutions Commercial Director AMEA at Reckitt Pro Solutions. He address the floor, talking about technology and what makes for a successful integration of tech in the food space.
"When it comes to integrating technology, the secret sauce is knowing what to focus on and what to delegate. When you dine at a great restaurant, you don’t question whether the kitchen has been sanitised, you assume it’s already taken care of.
"The best F&B leaders, who will be winning awards tonight, have one thing in common: they are all brilliant at their jobs and ensure all the minute details are taken care of," he says.
7.14pm: First panel discussion begins
David Singleton, Strategic advisor, Transformational Growth Coach, Oraculi, Gaurav Sinha, International Marketing Director, Domino's Pizza, Kim Thompson, Founder and Managing Director, RAW Coffee Company, Simon Ritchie, Comms Director, Yolk Brands, , Olga Lapanovich, Founder, ORANGEFIG, during the panel discussion in DXB Fand B awards in Dubai. 27 November, 2024. Photo by Shihab
Innovation with Heart: Shaping Hospitality for the Minds of Tomorrow. That's the topic of conversation at this stage. David Singleton, Strategic Advisor and Transformational Growth Coach at Oraculi is moderating the session. The panel consists of Gaurav Sinha, International Marketing Director at Domino's Pizza, Kim Thompson, RAW Coffee Company, Simon Ritchie, Comms Director at Yolk Brands; and Olga Lapanovich, Founder at ORANGEFIG.
Ritchie says: "This is quite a paradox... it's never been easier to reach your audience, there are so many avenues such as Instagram, Facebook, to create an impact. But it's never been harder to engage them and make them listen to you."
Sinha explains the promise of tech in the workplace. "Technology is often seen as a tool for efficiency, but the truth is, it can also bring moments of joy. While it saves us time and makes our journeys more seamless, these moments aren't just for consumer, they're for team members as well. Technology has the power to make the entire journey smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved," he says.
7.08pm: Paying homage to Greg Malouf
The whole hall goes silent as a minute's silence is observed in honour of the late Lebanese-born Australian chef Greg Malouf.
Read all about the award-winning chef here.
7.07pm: Welcome address
Michael Jabri-Pickett, Editor-in-Chief of Khaleej Times, welcomes the audience (Photo by Shihab)
Michael Jabri-Pickett, Editor-in-Chief of Khaleej Times, welcomes the audience to the second edition of the DXB F&B Awards 2024, saying the event sets out to “honour the best of the best.”
“Food is not an extension, but a reflection of culture. And the diversity in the F&B sector in Dubai speaks of what the emirate stands for – diversity. We will begin this evening with two important discussions: how to pave the way for innovation in the F&B sector and how to foster a thriving workforce,” he says.
Sharing some behind-the-scenes moments and introducing the judging panel, he explains the “jury was tasked with voting in 26 categories, which were then audited by Crowe Company”.
What are we serving today?
We knew tastes are subjective, especially in a culturally diverse space like the UAE, so we got a panel of three from the food and beverage industry to sample and analyse the best spots around town.
Among our judges was James Knight-Paccheco, who leads his own consultancy, Group JKP, and who has worked with the likes of Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines. Read more about him here.
We also had Jean Winter, the visionary behind Touch, the UAE’s inclusive talent agency representing celebrity chefs and athletes, advocating for disability inclusion, and creating opportunities for the underrepresented across society. Read all about her here.
And finally, there was Tapan Vaidya, Group CEO of PJP Investments Group, who oversees Papa Johns operations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, with his insights into what it takes to craft a dish (and establishment) people are happy to come back to again and again. Read all about him here.
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Somya Mehta
Somya Mehta is a Senior Features Writer at Khaleej Times, who contributes extensively to the UAE's arts, culture, and lifestyle scene. When not engrossed in writing, you'll find her on the hunt for the next best solo travel destination or indulging in podcast binges.
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