Hozpitality Group Announces the Winners of the Chef Excellence Awards 2025

Dubai, UAE – June 2, 2025 — 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

Young Chef of the Year

• Gold: Uresh Thanthrige – Commis Chef, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
• Silver: Myat San San – Commis II, Claw BBQ Palm

Executive Chef of the Year - Institutional Catering (Airlines, Cruise, Catering, etc.)

• Gold: Andre Ghanimeh – Executive Chef – UAE, Sodexo Kelvin Catering Services & Facilities
• Commended: Francesco Dimonte – Executive Chef, Emirates Flight Catering

Executive Chef of the Year – Hotel

• Gold: Clive Micallef – Executive Chef, Marriott Marquis Dubai at Jewel of the Creek
• Commended: Michael Kreiling – Executive Chef, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

Executive Chef of the Year – Free Standing Restaurant

• Gold: Dwarika Bhatt – Executive Chef, Zero Gravity Dubai
• Commended: Juber Shaikh – Culinary Director, AB International Restaurant LLC

Head Chef of the Year

• Gold: Htet Naing Aung – Head Chef, Paramount Hotel Midtown
• Commended: Mevish Appadoo – Speciality Head Chef, Twine – ibis World Trade Centre

Female Chef of the Year

• Gold: Syifani Fortuna Azzahra – Pastry Chef, EMAAR – Arabian Ranches
• Commended: Aye Ngon Phu – Chef de Partie, Paramount Midtown Hotel Dubai

Kitchen Manager of the Year

• Gold: Peter Safari – Senior Production Administrator, Emirates Flight Catering
• Commended: Shaikh Abdul Samee – Assistant Production Manager, Kitopi

Executive Sous Chef of the Year

• Gold: Abdul Hameed – Sous Chef, Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman
• Commended: Jose Carlos Sierra Garcia – Complex Executive Sous Chef, Le Meridien Dubai Hotel

Pastry Chef of the Year

• Gold: Abdul Muneer – Senior Chef De Partie, Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche
• Commended: Nimesh Madushan Kurera Jayalath Arachchi – Junior Sous Chef - Pastry, Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina

Chef de Cuisine of the Year

• Gold: Baris Kahraman – Chef de Cuisine, Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
• Commended: Sheneer Kandathil Muhammed – Chef de Cuisine, Bab Al Qasr Hotel

Sous Chef of the Year

• Gold: Adrian V. Oidem – Sous Chef, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square
• Commended: Jose Luis Ruiz Mira – Sous Chef, SLS Dubai - Fi'lia

Chef de Partie of the Year

• Gold: Imesh Abeysundara – Chef de Partie, Wafi Hospitality LLC - Thai Chi
• Commended: Somsak Sokkeaw – Chef de Partie, Benjarong Thai Restaurant, Dusit Thani Dubai

Garde Manger of the Year

• Gold: Debu Singh – Executive Sous Chef - Garde Manger, Emirates Flight Catering
• Commended: Mayank Verma – Chef de Partie, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square

Demi Chef of the Year

• Gold: Santosh Tamang – Demi Chef de Partie, Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa
• Commended: Ian Zander D. Mendoza – Demi Chef de Partie, EMAAR - Arabian Ranches

Commis Chef of the Year

• Gold: Jewel Kurishinkal Jacob – Commi I, AB International Restaurant LLC
• Commended: Richmond Fobi – Commis Chef, Emirates Flight Catering

Kitchen Steward of the Year

• Gold: Santhosh Rai – Kitchen Steward, Dusit Thani Dubai
• Commended: Tafadzwa Prince Mutarini – Steward, Soul Hospitality Restaurant LLC

Kitchen Helper of the Year

• Gold: Hom Bahadur Magar – Kitchen Steward, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel
• Commended: Vibindas Thayyil Ramadas – Administration Assistant, Emirates Flight Catering

Butcher Chef of the Year

• Gold: Asabul Dewan – Sous Chef, Bab Al Qasr Hotel
• Commended: Junie Pamaylaon – Chef de Partie, Soul Hospitality Restaurant LLC

Banquet Chef of the Year

• Gold: Binay Kumar – Junior Sous Chef, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel
• Commended: Rajiv Subba – Chef de Cuisine – IRD & Banquet, SLS Hotel and Residences Dubai

Hidden Gem of the Year

• Gold: Nathaliya Christin – Chef, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah & Hilton Dubai The Walk
• Commended: Syed Ali Ahmad Farooq Gillani – Commis I, Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche

Rising Star Chef of the Year

• Gold: Saumya Tamrakar – Senior Chef de Partie, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah & Hilton Dubai The Walk
• Commended: Rajikaran Nadarajah – Chef de Partie, Grand Hyatt Dubai

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Gold: Ali Zaroual – Pastry Chef, Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman
• Commended: Ziyad HeJamady – Chief Steward, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah & Hilton Dubai The Walk

Most Popular Chef of the Year

• Gold: Muchie Masunungure – Executive Chef, Soul Hospitality Restaurant LLC
• Commended: Mazen Mohamad Khaddour – Executive Chef, Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman

Judges' Choice Awards

• Chef Supporter of the Year: Helene Raudaschl – Indoguna Dubai
• Hospitality Technology Partner: Foodverse
• Executive Chef of the Year: Dip Shrestha – Executive Chef, Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche
• Promising Chef of the Year: Arshad Khan – Senior Chef de Partie, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah
• Inspiring Chef of the Year: Manzoor Hassan Balghari – Executive Chef, 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 Dubai

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