(SeaPRwire) –   By: Robert Kensington

Too many industry awards feel like empty backslapping. Hozpitality Group’s 2026 Middle East event wasn’t one of them. It was a quiet power play that laid bare the region’s F&B hierarchy.

The official release states three awards were held June 13 at Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek: the 9th Chef Excellence, 4th F&B Excellence, and Chef & F&B Leaders Powerlist. It brought together chefs, execs, suppliers, and partners across the UAE and Middle East. The subtext? Sponsors like Nestlé Professional and US Beef weren’t just writing checks. They were rubbing elbows with leaders from Emirates Flight Catering and Waldorf Astoria. These interactions will lock in future supply contracts that shape the sector for years.

The release highlights the Young Chef of the Year finale. Gold went to Sahil Sabir Shaikh of Emirates Flight Catering. Silver went to Amrit Maharjan of Dubai World Trade Center. It also mentions Powerlists honoring influential leaders. What it doesn’t spell out? Big brands like Emirates Flight Catering aren’t supporting young talent for goodwill alone. They’re grooming future in-house chefs to cut recruitment costs and retain institutional knowledge. The Powerlists solidify the old guard’s influence, keeping decision-making circles tight.

The brands that took home trophies yesterday aren’t just great at plating food. They’ve secured the strongest supplier ties and talent pipelines. They’ll control the Middle East F&B market’s top tier through 2029.

Author bio: Robert Kensington, an overseas entrepreneurial veteran with decades of real-economy investment experience, analyzes hospitality sector power dynamics.