Monday, December 20, 2010

WORLD CLASS PANEL ANNOUNCED FOR GULFOOD AWARDS 2011; International Experts Set New Standards for Excellence


Entrants to the Gulfood Awards 2011 are facing a panel of highly distinguished and highly discerning international judges as they vie for their category titles in February. More judges have been selected to review the hundreds of new entries and as the calibre of the world class contestants reaches new heights, the rewards and prestige for the winners are greater than ever.

Following the hugely successful inaugural 2010 Gulfood Awards, the 2011 event presents 19 categories to be reviewed by the judges, with more than 300 entries expected.

As the largest annual food and hospitality event in the world, Gulfood not only reflects the quality of regional and international cuisine, but is an important showcase of the best the industry has to offer, introducing the latest products, initiatives and services. The Gulfood Awards 2011 will play a crucial role in establishing new standards and developing new markets.

Mark Napier, Director, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood, says the competition is an essential part of the event. “The entries at the Gulfood 2010 Awards were outstanding and proved this region to be leading the innovation and quality agenda. There’s no doubt that the competition will be much harder with more entries and categories, but for the winners, the prize will be that much richer. The expert panellists assembled by the independent body we have entrusted the awards to will ensure fairness, excellence and the very highest standards of competition.

“One of the reasons the Awards have been so well received and so highly acclaimed is because they recognise the full spectrum of food, equipment and hospitality services. They take into account not only the traditional categories, but also consider services, concepts and initiatives from environmental issues to packaging and retail,” he added.



The panel for the Gulfood Awards 2011 includes:

·         Uwe Micheel – President, Emirates Culinary Guild
·         Sudakhar Gupta – Director, IFFCO
·         Ghassan Kassabji – Managing Director, TBWA
·         Bobby Krishna – Senior Food Studies and Surveys Officer, Food Control Department
·         Gabriele Ingwersen – Publisher & Editorial Director, Asia & Middle East Food Trade
·         Louise Oakley – Group Editor, Hospitality, Middle East Hotelier
·         Chairman: Bill Bruce – Group Editorial Director, FoodBev Media Ltd

Richard Hall, Chairman of FoodBev Media, co-founder of the Gulfood Awards said they are a benchmark for the industry. “Gulfood is firmly established as one of the most important events in the F&B calendar, and the awards are even more of an incentive to bring the highest possible standards to the region. Working alongside the Gulfood team, we can see that there is no shortage of talent and enterprise in the region, and it is a testament to the show that the international presence is greater than ever.”

The Awards also present a significant marketing opportunity. Gulfood’s worldwide reach and reputation will ensure that the winners and nominees earn attention from global markets as well as regional media.

The 2011 awards categories include: • Best new non-alcoholic beverage • Best new functional food or drink • Best newcomer brand or business • Best new Halal food • Best new health food or beverage ingredient • Best new foodservice innovation • Best environmental sustainability initiative • Best new baked or confectionery product • Best new frozen or chilled food • Best new fast food product or innovation • Best new food or drink packaging innovation • Best new catering equipment innovation • Best health education initiative • Best consumer marketing campaign •  

Entries are now open – applications must be received by 14 January 2011. Winners will be announced at the special Gulfood Awards ceremony and reception on 27 February 2011, alongside the exhibition to be held 27 February - 2 March 2011 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For full entry details and criteria for each category visit www.gulfood.com/awards

Photo caption: Gulfood Awards 2010 winners.



About Gulfood
Organised since 1987, Gulfood is the region's largest and most important industry event of the year and a strategic platform for buyers and sellers to conduct direct business face to face. The exhibition is a showcase for over 3,800 manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers from around the world, representing all of the key sectors within the food and hospitality trade.
The trade-only show reported record visitor attendance in 2010 with a total of 55,379 trade professionals from over 150 countries attending the exhibition.

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
As the organiser of Gulfood 2011, Dubai World Trade Centre offers over 30 years experience of delivering world-class events in the Middle East, providing local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises 18 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region.

Our commitment to ongoing innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors. DWTC works with the leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all exhibitions deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector.

About FoodBev Media
www.foodbev.com
UK based FoodBev Media is the leading international food and drink publisher of beverage innovation; water innovation; dairy innovation; cooler innovation; Food & Beverage International; plus the world’s fastest growing food and beverage industry website – FoodBev.com

International Awards Programmes
FoodBev Media is the leading organiser of international awards schemes in the food and drink sector, with established programmes including:
          Beverage Innovation Awards in partnership with
            UNESDA – the Union of European Beverages Associations
           InterBev Beverage Innovation Awards in partnership
            with the American Beverage Association and
            International Bottled Water Association
           Water Innovation Awards
           IDF Dairy Innovation Awards in partnership with the International Dairy Federation

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