The inaugural awards programme attracted 150 entries from 26 countries in 15 categories, designed to reward and champion innovation and excellence in the region’s exceptional food and drink industry. An international panel of experts met in Dubai on 19 February to select the finalists and choose the winners.
The 2010 Gulfood Awards were organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre in association with UK-based FoodBev Media. The event was hosted by FoodBev Media group editorial director, Bill Bruce. FoodBev Media chairman Richard Hall presented the awards to the winners.
“The region’s food and drink industry has delivered an impressive range of innovations and initiatives,” said Bill Bruce. “From new flavours and ingredients to packaging and foodservice developments, the judging panel was impressed by the passion and creativity demonstrated by many of the entries. Trends to natural and organic featured alongside exquisite craft in chocolate and breadmaking, while convenience and functionality provided welcome, new twists on otherwise tried and tested ideas. We certainly expect that the awards will now become a permanent and important part of the annual Gulfood show.”
Best new non-alcoholic beverage Tangent of the UAE, with its Venga Functional Infusions range of non-carbonated tea/fruit juice blends – each enriched with different vitamins and minerals to provide a range of functional drinks for different need states. Finalists in this category included:
Best new functional food or drink Elite Naturel Organics of Turkey was the winner of the category with its Organic Pomegranate Juice. Finalists included:
Best new halal food Al Islami, for its Halal range. Finalists included:
Best new baked or confectionery product was won by Salehia from Saudi Arabia, with its Mamoul with chocolate. Finalists included:
Best new frozen or chilled food Rafic Marrouche Restaurants from Lebanon won the category with its Marrouche Restaurant range. Finalists included:
Best new fast food product or innovation category Nähr-Engel from Germany, with its Couscous Snack and Couscous vegetable in boiling bag. Finalists included:
Best newcomer brand or business Won by UAE-based Gourmet House, for its farmed caviar. Finalists included:
Best new health food or beverage ingredient Flor de Sal from Spain for its Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc range. Finalists included:
Best health education initiative Won by Del Monte Foods for its Eat Healthy, Life Healthy campaign. Finalists included:
Best packaging innovation Won by Flor de Sal from Spain, with Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc. Finalists included:
Best foodservice product or technical innovation Henny Penny Corporation from the US, with its Evolution Elite open fryer. Finalists included:
bot Coupe from France, with its J80 Ultra juicer.
Best environmental initiative Won by Convotherm Electrogeräte from Germany, with its ecoCooking Advanced Closed System. Finalists included:
Best marketing campaign Al Ghurair Foods for its Summer Heath Festival.
Best trade stand up to 100 square metres Nadiya Ltd from UAE.
Best trade stand over 100 square metres UAE-based Baking Technologies.
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