Jumeirah Announces 'People's Choice Award' Success for Michael Kitts

DUBAI, UAE, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Jumeirah, the global luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, is delighted to announce the success of Senior Lecturer and Director of Culinary Arts at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), Michael Kitts, after taking home the People's Choice Award at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards in London.

The award, which celebrates those who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry, highlights Chef Kitts' role in developing Dubai's culinary scene since joining Jumeirah Group in 2001 as part of the pre-opening team of EAHM.  

Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman of the Jumeirah Group, commented: "Michael Kitts has been based in the UAE for over a decade and has helped to establish Dubai as a culinary hotspot. He has inspired many chefs, restaurant managers and hospitality students, as well as attracting international celebrity chefs to the Dubai scene. Being voted as the People's Choice at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards reflects the enormous respect Michael Kitts commands among his peers and the inspiration and innovation he has brought to Jumeirah's own portfolio of restaurants."

Ron Hilvert, Managing Director of EAHM, commented: "Michael Kitts joined Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management at its foundation and has helped to establish it as one of the world's top hospitality management schools. This award is further proof of the extraordinary contribution he has made internationally to the art of culinary excellence and the kind of teamwork and creativity that is central to the success of any restaurant business."

As one of only four people to be nominated for the 'People's Choice Award', Chef Kitts won the award with a majority public vote and received his trophy at Wembley Stadium in front of an audience of several hundred culinary professionals.

Earlier this year, Kitts, alongside Madinat Jumeirah's Resort Executive Chef Christian Gradnitzer - recently heralded the region's Number One Executive Chef by Hotelier Middle East - led a team of chefs to 14 Gold Medal successes in Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres 2012 at Hotelympia - the UK's largest hospitality exhibition.

About Jumeirah Group:

Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts, including five star hotels in Dubai and luxury beach resorts. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi; Burj Al Arab luxury hotel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany; Jumeirah Grand Hotel via Veneto in Rome; Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, Spain; Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah in Istanbul; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London and Jumeirah Essex House in New York. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

About The Craft Guild of Chefs:

The Craft Guild of Chefs is the largest UK chefs association with 1,500 members worldwide in foodservice and hospitality, from students and trainees to top management working everywhere from Michelin-starred restaurants to school catering divisions and military units.

Now in its second year, the People's Choice Award was introduced to the Guild to celebrate the unsung heroes of the chef world, recognising those who have made an outstanding contribution to industry and who have made an impact on their colleagues.

PR Contact:
Katie King
PR Manager - F&B and Lifestyle Dubai
Jumeirah Group
Villa 869
Jumeirah Beach Road
Jumeirah 3
P.O. Box 73137
Dubai, U.A.E
+971-4-3730133
http://www.jumeirah.com