Hozpitality Group Announces the Winners of the Chef Excellence Awards 2025

DUBAI, UAE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hozpitality Group proudly concluded the 8th edition of the prestigious Middle East Chef Excellence Awards on the evening of June 2nd at the stunning Address Skyview Hotel in Downtown Dubai. The highly anticipated annual celebration brought together over 300 culinary leaders, professionals, and industry partners under one roof to honor and celebrate the finest talents in the region's vibrant culinary scene.

This year's event showcased an engaging blend of accolades, including Popular Choice Awards voted by the public, Judges' Choice Awards, and the much-awaited Live Cook-Off, where five aspiring young chefs battled for the coveted title of 'Young Chef of the Year.' The competition brought high energy and inspiration as the next generation of culinary stars demonstrated their creativity and skills in front of a live audience.

In addition to the awards, Hozpitality Group unveiled the highly regarded Hozpitality's Best – Culinary Powerlist, which honored the 30 Most Popular Culinary Leaders across the region. This recognition is based on a combination of public votes and peer recommendations, spotlighting individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the growth and excellence of the industry. The list can be seen at https://www.hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com/hozpitalitys-best-winners/chef-in-me-2025 

The event was held in association with the Emirates Culinary Guild and ICCA Dubai, with generous support from a stellar lineup of sponsors and partners. Nestlé led as the Gold Sponsor, with additional support from US Beef and Delta Food Industries as Powered By sponsors. Welbilt, Taaza Fine Foods, and Bragard supported as Category Sponsors, while Fusia Events, Restofair RAK, Absolute Frame, Col Vetoraz, RR Cellars, Sirocco, and Godawan added invaluable contributions as official partners.

Raj Bhatt, Founder and CEO of Hozpitality Group, said, "We are humbled by the overwhelming response and participation at this year's Chef Excellence Awards. The level of passion, talent, and innovation in the Middle East's culinary industry continues to inspire us. This platform is a tribute to the unsung heroes who bring flavors to life and shape the future of hospitality."

The evening celebrated not just excellence in cooking, but also camaraderie, creativity, and collaboration within the industry. With each passing year, the Middle East Chef Excellence Awards continues to grow in impact, offering a prestigious stage to recognize those who make dining in the region an exceptional experience.

From seasoned Executive Chefs to emerging Rising Stars, the night was a spectacular celebration of passion and perseverance.

Key Winners of the Chef Excellence Awards 2025

• Executive Chef of the Year – Hotel
  Clive Micallef, Executive Chef – Marriott Marquis Dubai at Jewel of the Creek
• Executive Chef of the Year – Institutional Catering
  Andre Ghanimeh, Group Executive Chef – Sodexo Kelvin Catering Services & Facilities
• Executive Chef of the Year – Free-Standing Restaurant
  Dwarika Bhatt, Executive Chef – Zero Gravity
• Female Chef of the Year
  Syifani Fortuna Azzahra, Pastry Chef – EMAAR Arabian Ranches
• Pastry Chef of the Year
  Abdul Muneer, Senior Chef de Partie – Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche
• Rising Star Chef of the Year
  Saumya Tamrakar, Senior Chef de Partie – Hilton Dubai Jumeirah & The Walk
• Lifetime Achievement Award
  Ali Zaroual, Pastry Chef – Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman
• Most Popular Chef of the Year
  Muchie Masunungure, Executive Chef – Soul Hospitality Restaurant LLC

Judges' Choice Awardees

• Executive Chef of the Year: Dip Shrestha, Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche
• Chef Supporter of the Year: Helene Raudaschl, Indoguna Dubai
• Hospitality Technology Partner: Foodverse
• Promising Chef of the Year: Arshad Khan, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah
• Inspiring Chef of the Year: Manzoor Hassan Balghari, Top Deal Party Services
• Rising Star Chef of the Year: Elie Lteif, Culinary Advisor – Nestlé Professional
• Culinary Leader of the Year: Ludovic Garnier, Executive Producer Culinary – Paramount Hotel Dubai
• Team Player Chef of the Year: Ruan Potgieter, Executive Chef – Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Congratulations to all winners and participants who have raised the bar in culinary excellence!

Stay tuned for event highlights, interviews, and photo albums on www.hozpitality.com

About Hozpitality Group

Hozpitality Group is a leading name in the global hospitality industry, providing a platform for professionals to connect, share, and celebrate excellence in hospitality. With a strong presence in Dubai and India, Hozpitality Group hosts prestigious events, including the Middle East Chef Excellence Awards, to recognize and honor outstanding achievements in the industry.

Hozpitality.com is an online platform for professionals from Hotels, Restaurants, Airlines, Travel agencies, Clubs, Cruise Lines, Cinemas, Spas, Schools, Suppliers and Retail. Hozpitality offers Branding options, A Community Network for Employers and Job seekers, a directory of Hospitality Suppliers, Latest Hospitality News, Hotel News, Movements and Appointments and Hospitality Announcements Hotel Industry Recruitment, Professional CV designing, Hospitality Courses etc. We provide an effective platform where all hospitality professionals can come together, network and benefit.

Hozpitality.com offers a selection of best Hotel Management Institutes, Schools and Universities and Hotel management Courses. Hospitality Students can search and apply for Hotel management Courses and join the School's Alumni and network with their colleagues. Hozpitality also offers a Market Place for Hospitality Suppliers where Hospitality Products, Services, Offers and Deals can be listed and sold to millions of Global Hospitality professionals.

Hozpitality reaches out to over 1.2 million professionals thru its 2 group websites, www.hozpitality.com and www.hozpitalityplus.com with Registered Members and Social Media from over 186 countries.

The dedicated hospitality Media and News website Hozpitalityplus.com, publishes and shares Latest Hospitality News, Announcements, Hotel openings, Promotions, Events, Hospitality Movements and Appointments and Hospitality announcements, Reviews, Blogs etc.

Hozpitality Consulting is a Global Executive Search consultancy based out of Toronto, Canada. Our success lies in building a long term relationship and delivering results quickly and efficiently for a 'much lower cost'. We are experts in locating the best possible suitable executive and management candidates for placements in all types of hospitality organizations around the world. Through our matchless database, communication and networking, over the world, we provide our clients with the most skillful candidates.

'Hozpitality Buzz- The inside scoop' is a TV show based on the hospitality industry in Dubai and UAE, is in English and telecast-ed on a premier TV channel in Middle East & North Africa reaching out to approx. 10-12 million viewers. To know more about the TV show, Please log on to:- www.facebook.com/hozpitalitybuzz and https://www.youtube.com/Hozpitality 

Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards are presented to recognize top industry organizations which have shown skill, creativity, ingenuity and success in the Middle East & North Africa's growing hospitality industry. Logon to www.hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com

To know more about the group, please log on to:

www.hozpitality.com, www.hozpitalityplus.com, www.hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com  

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