The Qatar Duty Free team, led by Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh (centre), gather on stage to celebrate their success at FAB Awards 2023
THAILAND. Qatar Duty Free (QDF) celebrated its victory at the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards in Bangkok, held on 13 September.
The awards at The Moodie Davitt Report-run event were presented at a glittering gala dinner hosted by Airports of Thailand.
As reported, the Doha-based company snapped up a total of 12 awards including the ultimate Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year and five other global awards, plus several regional and Highly Commended accolades.
QDF said that this victory “serves as fitting recognition for the innovation, investment and pioneering standards demonstrated by the Qatar Airways Group subsidiary and the award-winning Hamad International Airport”.
Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh (centre) and his team pose with the Airport F&B Offer of the Year Award together with partners from HMSHost and SSP, and The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie (left) and President Dermot Davitt (right)
Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Badr Al Meer said: “Qatar Airways Group maintains the ambition to set a new global standard in everything we do. Our airline, airport lounges, duty free shopping and general airport operations at Hamad International Airport have a strong track record of excellence and continue to receive frequent major honours.
“With this impressive recognition at the 2023 FAB Awards, Qatar Duty Free, in partnership with Hamad International Airport, can justifiably claim to be the world’s best food & beverage operator in an airport.
Thabet Musleh delivers a triumphant speech after Qatar Duty Free’s big win at the 2023 FAB Awards
“Restaurants, food courts and cafes are a key service for our passengers, and we have invested heavily in upgrading existing outlets and with a flurry of new openings in the new airport expansion prior to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“We have over 1,700 passionate and talented catering staff, including more than 340 chefs, who work around the clock to serve over 6 million delicious meals a year. This is true Qatari hospitality for the world to savour and enjoy.”
Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh added: “Team QDF’s work ethic, collaborative spirit, passion and shared vision have turned ambitious goals into tangible realities, setting a new standard for excellence.
“Our success at the 2023 FAB Awards last night is a testament to our unparalleled ambition and quality of execution while keeping our focus on sustainability. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every member of the Qatar Duty Free community – which includes the thousands of customers that pass through our doors every day – for their unwavering support.
“It has been pivotal in achieving these unprecedented milestones, and we are incredibly proud that Qatar Duty Free has received these honours among such high-quality global competition.” ✈
David Sosson (left) accepts his Airport Chef of the Year award from The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt
The complete list of awards won by Qatar Duty Free
Global awards
Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year – Qatar Duty Free
Airport Food & Beverage Opening of the Year – Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno
Airport Lounge of the Year – Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno
Airport Lounge, Food & Beverage Offering of the Year – Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno
Airport Restaurant Design of the Year – Fendi Caffe
Airport Chef of the Year – David Sosson
Regional awards
Airport Landside Food Hall of the Year (Middle East & Africa) – Qatar Duty Free
Airport F&B Offer Best Representing Sense of Place (Middle East & Africa) – Chapati & Karak
Airport Food to Go Offer of the Year (Middle East & Africa) – Oreo Café
Airport Coffee or Tea Shop of the Year (Middle East & Africa) – Ralph’s Coffee
Highly commended
Airport Food & Beverage Opening of the Year (Global) – Fendi Caffe
Airport Coffee or Tea Shop of the Year – Ralph’s Coffee
