Qatar Duty Free (QDF), owner and operator of all catering outlets at Hamad International Airport in Doha, enjoyed an award-winning evening at the 2024 Food & Beverage (FAB) Awards held in Ontario, California.
The awards ceremony, organised and hosted by acclaimed international publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report, saw Qatar Duty Free succeed in a total of seven categories. This success is a testament to the innovation, investment, and pioneering standards exemplified by the business’ entire culinary team – a diverse group of more than 1700, including more than 340 chefs, delivering over six million meals per year across 70 dining outlets.
An independent panel of seven expert judges spanning the prestige culinary, hospitality and aviation sectors voted Qatar Duty Free winners in the following categories:
- Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year– Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport
- Airport Lounge of the Year (International) – Louis Vuitton Lounge
- Airport F&B Opening of the Year – Souq Al Matar
QDF also received regional awards for the following categories:
Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasised that Qatar Airways Group is committed to surpassing industry standards and setting new global benchmarks in all areas of operation. ‘From our airline services to our airport lounges, we consistently strive for excellence, and that is equally true of our F&B offerings. This recognition at the 2024 FAB Awards highlights Qatar Duty Free’s leading role in delivering world-class dining that enriches the customer experience at Hamad International Airport,’ he added.
Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President, Thabet Musleh, highlighted the ongoing efforts to establish HIA as a destination in its own right. He noted that food and beverage services play a crucial role in the overall airport experience and expressed pride in being recognised by industry experts for redefining this aspect. ‘We consistently invest in strengthening our offerings, upgrading outlets and delivering world-class concepts to ensure that our ability to truly deliver “Something for Everyone” is not an empty promise, but a guarantee. We are increasingly becoming the benchmark as the world’s best F&B airport experience and we are delighted to be recognised as such at the FAB Awards.’
The awards underline the diversity of Qatar Duty Free’s unparalleled F&B offering, truly offering something for everyone. Among the award-winning concepts were the Louis Vuitton Lounge, Souq Al Matar and Basta. The world-first Louis Vuitton Lounge brings an exquisite fusion of luxury gastronomy to travellers, providing a private sanctuary to relax, unwind and indulge. Meanwhile, Souq Al Matar captivates visitors with its authentic Qatari charm and a vibrant selection of local culinary delights, including Basta, which epitomises the concept of ‘sense of place’. The recognition of these concepts reflects Qatar Duty Free’s dedication to elevating the airport experience, setting new standards in hospitality, and reaffirming its position as a pioneering presence in the global duty-free industry.