The best of the best

HILTON WORLDWIDE |held its highly anticipated F&B Masters regional grand final last week, bringing together the group’s world-class talents who demonstrated skill, innovation and flair while paying culinary homage to the gastronomic heritage of the cities they represent. 

Hailing from 20 countries and territories in the sub-regions of Australasia, Southeast Asia, India, Greater China and Mongolia, Japan, Korea and Micronesia, the finalists delivered food and beverage masterpieces for judging by a panel of experts that included chef Jamnong Nirangsan, president of Thai Chef Association and Ivan Froissard of Pernod Ricard. 

“The grand finalists of the Southeast Asia and India F&B Masters this year have raised their game for the honour of being hailed the best of the best, displaying bolder creativity, more finesse and a deeper knowledge in their disciplines. This competition has definitely put a spotlight on their hard work, passion and commitment for food and beverage excellence and innovation,” noted William Costley, vice president for operations, Southeast Asia & India of Hilton Worldwide. 

This year’s Southeast Asia & India masters challenge saw a greater level of participation with 65 per cent more contestants across 36 properties, up from more than 430 participants from 19 hotels last year. 

Earlier rounds of the competition involving some 140 hotels across Asia Pacific began in July last year, with the top contenders from each market progressing to the regional finals. They competed in five categories: Culinary, Barista, Sommelier Pastry and Bar. 

The Culinary Cup prize went to Abdul Halim Jahari of Double Tree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur while Md Shahanwaz Qureshi of Hilton Mumbai picked up the Pastry Cup award. Each won a trip to Tokyo for a cross-exposure experience working in an award-winning restaurant at Conrad Tokyo. This is followed by work experience in the latest trend-setting F&B venue in Tokyo – Tsunohazu on Level 2 of Hilton Tokyo and a trip to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market.

Barista Cup winner Rakesh Shetty of Conrad Maldives is heading to Melbourne, Australia for exclusive guided tours of the city’s popular coffee precincts as well as a visit to the Coffex Coffee Factory to learn about the coffee roasting and production process. 

Sommelier Cup winner Loo Sze Hong of Hilton Kuala Lumpur won a four-day trip to Barossa Valley in Southern Australia. Whilst in the Barossa, he will enjoy a complete Barossa wine and food experience, hosted by a number of Barossa wineries in their vineyards, wineries and restaurants. He will also receive a Barossa Wine School training session, which offers a full overview of the wine industry in the Barossa to appreciate the traditional wine styles, as well as the emerging styles that are currently rarely seen outside of Australia.

Bar Cup winner Giritharan Panchakaran of Hilton Kuala Lumpur will spend a four-day, three-night educational trip to Scotland. In collaboration with Pernod Ricard, he will visit three distilleries including Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet and Aberlour, and rub shoulders with Master Blender Colin Scott to discover the history behind the three amazing whiskies as well as appreciate the passion behind cooperage. These |prized experiences will also include sightseeing and |tasting sessions. 

“Guests don't just dine at our restaurants because they stay at our hotels. In fact, a large portion of our guests choose to dine at our restaurants are people who live and work in the city we operate in. Hilton Worldwide restaurants are destinations in their own right and provide a perfect platform for our team members to shine and showcase their passion and talent,” explained Markus Schueller, vice president, F&B Operations, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton Worldwide has more than 2,500 restaurants and bars across 94 countries. In Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide has more than 660 restaurants and bars in 20 countries and territories.