Gulfood Awards 2010 - the Winners and Finalists
28 Feb 2010 - At a spectacular gala dinner at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 22 February, attended by more than 750 industry representatives, the finalists and winners in the 2010 Gulfood Awards were announced.
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:
Elite Natural Organics from Turkey, with its Organic Rose Sherbet.
Johnson Brothers (Belfast) from the UK, for Johnsons Coffee.
Highly commended was MangaJo of the UK for its Gojiberry and Green Tea.
Best new functional food or drink Elite Naturel Organics of Turkey was the winner of the category with its Organic Pomegranate Juice. Finalists included:
Unicer of Portugal, for Pedras Sabores flavoured water.
Tangent, with Venga Functional Infusions.
Laxim’s Delights of the US for its Lemony Flaxseed Spread with Ginger and Honey.
Best new halal food Al Islami, for its Halal range. Finalists included:
Rafic Marrouche Restaurants from Lebanon, with its Marrouche Restaurant range.
Truebell Marketing & Trading from the UAE, for its Midamar Halal Turkey Strips.
Best new baked or confectionery product was won by Salehia from Saudi Arabia, with its Mamoul with chocolate. Finalists included:
Toschi Vignola from Italy, with Amorena cherry pralines.
IFFCO’s Seville Chocolate, with Tiffany Break Delights.
Al Ghurair Foods of the UAE was highly commended for its special Gulfood Bread.
Best new frozen or chilled food Rafic Marrouche Restaurants from Lebanon won the category with its Marrouche Restaurant range. Finalists included:
Choithram of the UAE, for it Family meal paneer and Family pizza range.
Prairie Halal Foods, also from the UAE, with it Heritage Angus Beef Burgers.
Highly Commended in this category was Bakemart of the UAE, for its frozen speciality bread range.
Best new fast food product or innovation category Nähr-Engel from Germany, with its Couscous Snack and Couscous vegetable in boiling bag. Finalists included:
Midamar of the UAE, with Beef Halal Gyros
Rafic Marrouche Restaurants from Lebanon, for its Marrouche Restaurant range.
Truebell Marketing & Trading from the UAE with its Lat-Bri, flavoured ricotta desserts.
Best newcomer brand or business Won by UAE-based Gourmet House, for its farmed caviar. Finalists included:
Mackie’s of Scotland from the UK, with Mackie’s of Scotland Potato crisps.
Acetaia Giuseppe Cremonini from Italy, with Puro Modena balsamic vinegar – also highly commended for its packaging design.
Choithram from the UAE, with the Jamie Oliver range.
Highly Commended: Paramount Farms from California, with Wonderful Pistachios.
Highly Commended: Unicer of Portugal, for Pedras bottled water.
Best new health food or beverage ingredient Flor de Sal from Spain for its Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc range. Finalists included:
Al Ghurair Foods, for Jenan Diabetics’ Flour.
Costa d’Ora from Italy, with Olisana Omega 3-6.
Best health education initiative Won by Del Monte Foods for its Eat Healthy, Life Healthy campaign. Finalists included:
Nadec from Saudi Arabia, with its Healthy weight loss guide.
Al Ghurair Foods for KidZania.
Best packaging innovation Won by Flor de Sal from Spain, with Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc. Finalists included:
Mother Hen Foods from Canada, with Organic raspberry sorbet.
IQF berry delight.
Detpak Middle East from the UAE, with Cleverbox.
Best foodservice product or technical innovation Henny Penny Corporation from the US, with its Evolution Elite open fryer. Finalists included:
Bettcher Foodservice from Switzerlan, with the Pollux In-shell Egg Pasteurizer.
All Needs General Trading from the UAE, with NONIONS sautéed onion paste.
Robot 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:
Edlyn Foods from Australia for Edlyn Ultra Smart.
Detpak Middle East, with its Rebbit Hot Cups.
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.
FoodBev
