(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) The stage is now all set for the sultanate's only food and dining awards the Oman Restaurant Awards 2014 with 101 outlets – the highest in the event's history – in contention for the honours in 14 categories.
The awards were formally launched at a glittering event on Wednesday evening at Grand Hyatt Muscat in the presence of the who's who of Oman's hospitality industry.
After a month of public voting that begins today (Thursday) the top three restaurants from each category will make it to the finals. A panel of judges – whose identity will be a secret till the awards night – will pick the winners from among the finalists in each category.
The awards will be handed over on March 5. The event which has only grown in stature since its launch in 2002 saw 425000 public votes being cast in last year's edition.
The categories include fine dining buffet Middle Eastern Italian ambience and service among others.
The launch of the 2014 awards was announced by Saleh Zakwani executive chairman Apex Press and Publishing who welcomed all the participants in this year's edition.
He said 'Once again we have a chance to say a big thank you to those who have done their best to make dining out a wonderful experience for all of us. I wish all the participants the very best.'
Bank Muscat will be sponsoring this year's awards too after coming on board in 2013. Saraya Bandar Jissah will be the co-sponsor for the fifth time while this is the ninth year for supporting sponsor African & Eastern.
Speaking on the association Said Ahmed al Badai deputy general manager - branches retail banking group Bank Muscat said 'Bank Muscat has always been at the forefront in supporting local initiatives including the Oman Restaurant Awards which has been one of the most respected and talked about events in the country and has had success after success for the last 12 years.'
He said Bank Muscat is committed to local businesses specially the hospitality industry. 'Oman has seen a shift in the direction where there is renewed momentum in dining out specially among Gen Y. Which is why supporting such an event will only create more business and better standards in the hospitality industry.'
Lee O'Donoghue vice president sales marketing Saraya Bandar Jissah said 'There has been tremendous growth in hospitality industry in the country and events like the Oman Restaurant Awards allow the players to strive for the best. This is also important for us as we are launching our project this year.'
Sean Hennessey general manager of African & Eastern said that he has seen the awards grow during his association of the past eight years. 'The award continues to grow with the participation of more and more outlets and involvement of public which is positive for the industry.' He added that for his company it was the only time in a year when it gets the chance to meet its customers. 'This is our chance to celebrate the success of the industry and give back to the unsung heroes who work hard in kitchens all day every day. We like to say in our industry that we distribute happiness and this is just the chance to do tha
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