Last week, Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) hosted a prestigious hospitality awards in Malaysia to recognise and reward the creme de la creme of the hospitality industry at The Majestic Hotel, KL. There are around 200 top F&B outlets taking part at the HAPA-GAB Excellence Awards 2013-2014, which is almost three times more than the inaugural awards in 2012.
My date for the night was Louise and here’s a picture of us glaming at the HAPA-GAB backdrop with Evelyn before heading into the grand ballroom.
Another picture for the album with Sue Lynn who always look gorgeous in that glam dress!
The evening was hosted by Andrea Fonseka and stand up comedian, Douglas Lim.
During the event, guests were treated to a range of beers under GAB umbrella. Among them were Guinness, Heineken, Strongbow, Paulaner, Tiger, Kilkenny, etc.. Also showcasing GAB’s new doubly refreshing Tiger Radler and recentlyy launched Kirin Ichiban, Japan’s premium 100% malt beer, as well as Heineken Extra Cold chilled to zero degrees.
I had my fair share of draught Strongbow.
Opening speech by Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of GAB and during his speech he said, “GAB values our trade partners, and such, we want to support them by equipping them with stringent product and service quality training, as well as innovative techniques in delivering the perfect customer experience anytime and anywhere throughout Malaysia. It is extremely important for F&B establishments today to deliver quality and to be innovative in every way possible to ensure they are ahead of the game, as customers today are more discerning and have higher expectations.”
We were all well fed with the hotel’s fine food paired with GAB beers:
Tian of Portobello Mushroom, ANCHOR braised onion, roasted pepper jelly and asparagus
Double-Boiled TIGER Superior Broth with Mushroom, Dried Scallop and Sea Cucumber
48 Hours HEINEKEN Brine Chicken, Mushroom Risotto, Roasted Cherry Tomato and Chicken Jus
Lime Sorbet alongside a shot of TIGER RADLER
GUINNESS Braised Angus Short Ribs served with Confit Maple Sweet Potatoes, Savoy Cabbage and Mushroom Ragouts
GUINNESS Panacotta, White Chocolate Whipped Ganache, Praline Crunch and Brownie Ice-Cream
Without further adieu, the award finalists and winners were announced over dinner. The winners of the awards were chosen based on the 5 key quality attributes that comprised of Product Quality, Service Quality, F&B Innovation, General Operations and Ambiance. Outlets were categorised into Restaurants, Bars, Resto-Bars and Clubs. The panel of judges, a confidential group of experts and influential tastemakers selected by HAPA, visited the nominated outlets anonymously within a five-month period as part of the stringent judging process.
HAPA-GAB EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2013-2014 – WINNERS:
BEST BAR
Gold: Never Mine, Kuala Lumpur
Silver: Bricks & Barrels, Ipoh
Bronze: Soho Country House, Penang
BEST RESTAURANT
Gold: The Bierhaus, Taman Sentosa, Johor
Silver: The Bierhaus, Johor Jaya, Johor
Bronze: Ben’s, Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang
BEST RESTO-BAR
Gold: SOULed Out, Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur
Silver: Zender’s Restaurant & Bar, Kuala Lumpur
Bronze: The Beer Factory, Sunway Giza, Selangor
BEST CLUB
Gold: Aruku The Walk, Johor
Silver: Lust, Kuala Lumpur
Bronze: Cuvee Wine & Champagne, Penang
BEST PRODUCT QUALITY
Gold: The Brazzo Restaurant & Lounge, Johor
Silver: Olive Kitchen & Bar, Johor
Bronze: The Bierhaus, Taman Sentosa, Johor
Sub-categories :
– Perfect Serve TIGER: D Legends Bar, Kuala Lumpur
– Perfect Serve GUINNESS: Palate Palette Restaurant & Bar, Kuala Lumpur
– Perfect Serve HEINEKEN: Basic Pub & Bistro, Johor
– Perfect Serve KILKENNY: Foos Steak House, Ipoh
MOST INNOVATIVE GUEST EXPERIENCE
Gold: The Bierhaus, Taman Sentosa, Johor
Silver: Malones Irish Bar, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur
Bronze: Zender’s Restaurant & Bar, Kuala Lumpur
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Gold: Malones Irish Bar, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur
Silver: Beast Bar & Grill, Kuala Lumpur
Bronze: The Bierhaus, Taman Sentosa, Johor
OUTLET OF THE YEAR : SOULed Out, Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur
SOULed Out (Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur) edged out almost 200 top F&B establishments to take home the most coveted “Outlet of the Year” Award, as well as the “Best Resto-Bar” Award at the HAPA-GAB Excellence Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB), in collaboration with Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA), hosted one of Malaysia’s most prestigious hospitality awards to recognise and reward the crème de la crème of the hospitality industry.
And also, not forgeting Jimmy Goh of Patio Bar, Genting who won both GABPS Hero of the Year 2013 and World No.2 Bartender 2013. Congrats, Jimmy!
Winners of the HAPA-GAB Excellence Awards 2013-2014, who contributed to raising the Malaysian hospitality industry benchmark! Congrats to all!
