Andreas Kurfurst – director, food & beverage; vice president of Emirates Culinary Guild. Andreas Kurfurst has been executive chef at the Renaissance Dubai Hotel since 2002, and became director, food & beverage at the Emirates Culinary Guild in November 2009.

Gabriele Ingwersen – publisher and editorial director of Asia & Middle East Food Trade magazine. Gabriele reports on the evolving Asian and Middle Eastern food and beverage industries.

Ghassan Kassabji – MD, TBWA/RAAD Saudi Arabia. Ghassan has more than 20 years’ experience in industries as varied as retail, automotive and advertising, across the US and the Middle East.

Lucy Taylor – editor, Caterer Middle East. Lucy joined Caterer Middle East as editor in November 2008 following a year as deputy editor on Hotelier Middle East.

Sudhakar Gupta – international business development director, IFFCO Group. Sudhakar Gupta is a specialist in the food and beverage industry.

Wadih Massaad – chief operation officer, Brandcom Middle East. Following a career with Indevco Group, Gemini, Intermarkets, Lowe and Grey and Grey Egypt, Wadih Massaad became COO of Brandcom Middle Easy in May 2007.

Bill Bruce – FoodBev Media group editorial director (chair of the Gulfood judging panel). Following a career in graphic design and editorial consultancy, Bill co-founded what is now FoodBev Media in 2000.

Sam Shammas – regional manager Asia, Middle East and Africa for global food and beverage consultancy Zenith International Ltd. Sam has extensive experience in strategic business development, marketing and brand management, specifically in launching new products and brands throughout the Middle East in major multinational & regional companies including Diageo, Hempel and NFPC.