The region’s F&B industry leaders gathered last night to celebrate the best culinary achievements from across the Middle East, at the seventh annual edition of The Pro Chef Middle East awards.
For six consecutive years, the awards have recognised the biggest accomplishments and triumphs across the Middle East’s F&B sector, and this year was no different.
All nominees were drawn exclusively from the best independent eateries, bars and culinary schools, along with the best 4 and 5-star establishments across the region.
In its seventh outing, The Pro Chef Middle East Awards highlighted and celebrated the achievements of those working across a total of 19 categories.
The nominees were judged by industry experts, and announced at a special gala evening held last night (Monday 28th October) at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai.
The most sought-after award of the evening, The Pro Chef of the Year, was won by Gregoire Berger of Ossiano, who scooped a second award earlier in the evening as Seafood Speciality Chef of the Year.
Outstanding Achievement Award was won by Michael Kitts from The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, and Alex Stumpf from BB Social Dining clinched the award for Innovation Chef of the Year.
The winners of the second Richemont Masterbaker Pastry and Baking Championship were also announced at last night’s prestigious event. 12 pastry chefs and 12 bakers took part in live heats back in early September, before four finalists from each category proceeded to the finals on October 1 and 2 at the Richemont Masterbaker facility in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
Chef Christiane Trilck, Head of Pastry, Ice Cream and Chocolate at Richemont Masterbaker Dubai, revealed the winners on stage at the awards ceremony. Rushi Mei-Li from Caesars Bluewaters Dubai was crowned the pastry champion, and Bishal Sunuwar from Grand Hyatt Dubai as the baking champion.
Both chef Rushi and chef Bishal will receive an all-expenses-paid course at Richemont in Lucerne, Switzerland, including travel and accommodation, as well as an Advanced Course at Richemont Masterbaker Center for Excellence in Dubai. In addition, the pair will be awarded with a prestigious custom-made and personalised Chef’s Jacket from the preferred brand of the world’s top chefs – Bragard.
The full list of The Pro Chef Middle East award winners from last night’s event can be found below:
| Category | Winner |
| Italian Speciality Chef | Alessandro Miceli, Roberto’s, Dubai |
| Indian Speciality Chef | Prashant Chipkar, Masti Cocktails & Cuisine |
| Pastry Speciality Chef | Rajesh Thapa, Fairmont The Palm |
| African Speciality Chef | Kuhle Swana, Kiza |
| Middle Eastern Speciality Chef | Ali Fouad, Al Nafoorah |
| Americas & Caribbean Speciality Chef | Jorge Rodriguez, Tortuga |
| Pan Asian Speciality Chef | Lee Kok Hua, Hakkasan |
| Innovation Chef | Alex Stumpf, BB Social Dining |
| Thai Speciality Chef | Aphichat Amatmontri, Pai Thai |
| Meat Speciality Chef | Raymond Wong, Seafire |
| British Speciality Chef | Craig Best, Hell’s Kitchen |
| Seafood Speciality Chef | Gregoire Berger, Ossiano |
| French Speciality Chef | Gilles Bosquet, La Cantine du Faubourg |
| Outstanding Achievement Award | Michael Kitts, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management |
| Mediterranean Speciality Chef | Timothy Newton, OPA |
| Japanese Speciality Chef | Masahiro Sugiyama, Hoseki |
| Bartender of the Year | Santanu Chanda, Buddha Bar Dubai |
| Sommelier of the Year | Luca Gagliardi, Pierchic |
| Pro Chef of the Year | Gregoire Berger, Ossiano |
Congratulations to all of our winners. We look forward to seeing you again in 2020! Nominations for next year’s awards are open now, and submission forms available for prospective nominees here.
