This year taste took centre stage, as we celebrate our food and drink heroes with purpose from the far reaches
of our incredible region. From focused and full service to lifestyle and luxury our super-talented finalists battled it out in two side-by-side competitions at the grand final in Istanbul, for the honor of being crowned the ultimate #HiltonTastemakers.
The MasterChef style live final took place on Thursday 6th February at Hilton Bomonti in the Grand Ballroom, in front of an all-star cast of judges:
Celebrity Chef Leyla Fathallah / ليلى فتح الله🍒 (@chefleylafathallah)
Author, TV Stylist and Fashion Influencer Kat Farmer
Garry Berryman, Head of Global Accounts, Pernod Ricard
Chef Jodi Ann Palmer, Founder of The Food Technician
Emma Banks, VP F&B Strategy and Development, Hilton EMEA (@ladybanks_)
Celebrity Chef Poppy O’Toole (@poppy_cooks)
Celebrity Chef José Pizarro (@jose_pizarro)
TV Wine Expert Helen McGinn (@knackeredmother)
The 28 finalists competed all day long and were judged on their dishes and drink as well as their storytelling and presentation.
The focused service finalists competed as individuals.
Focused Food Winner – Anders Solberg, Assistant Executive Chef, Hilton Garden Inn Davos,
Focused Food Runner Up – Mansour Aitssi, Chef De Partie, Hilton Garden Inn Tangier City Center
Focused Drink Winner – Laassass Zakariae, F&B Team Leader, Hilton Garden Inn Tangier City Center
Focused Drink Runner Up – Boutaina Bennai, F&D Captain, Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Financial District
The signature contestants competed as individuals throughout the qualifying rounds until we sprung an amazing surprise on them back in December where the finalists were brought together in teams guided by some expert Hilton VIP Coaches:
Katharina Schlaipfer, VP Ops CE
Alessandro Cabella, AGM Italy
Matthew Mullan, GM London Hilton on Park Lane
Hans Schiller, GM Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences
The 4 teams comprise of 6 people who will prepare a fully paired meal to our judges!
Winner – Team Hans
Mark Andrew Cutamora, Hilton London Tower Bridge, Pastry Sous Chef
Piotr Siedlaczek, Hilton Manchester Deansgate, Executive Sous Chef
Gaia Bartolini, Hilton Manchester Deansgate, Sous Chef
Emilio Kesenheimer, Hilton Munich Airport, F&D Management Trainee
Berkcan Savuk, Susona Bodrum, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Asst. F&D Manager
Runner Up – Team Matthew
Chiara Abate, Hilton Venice,Pastry Sous Chef
Andrea Vona, Aleph Rome Hotel, Curio Collection By Hilton, Sous Chef
Diogo Correia Lopes, Hilton Prague, Restaurant Manager
Nour Alhuda Fawzi Ass’ad Amro, Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, Chef de Partie
Mario Giaconia, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Tower of London, Assistant Bar Manager
Most Valuable Player Drink – Mario Giaconia, Assistant Bar Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Tower of London
Most Valuable Player Food – Gaia Bartolini, Sous Chef, Hilton Manchester Deansgate
Hero With Purpose – Mario De Souza, F&B Team Leader, Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport
All of the winners will now be taken on the trip of a lifetime to Sri Lanka later this year courtesy of Dilmah Tea.
Stay tuned to @tasteofhilton to follow their adventures!
The legendary Harry Chrispin shared a powerful message about how EMEA is driving our Travel With Purpose goals through food and drink.
Anthony Worral hosted a super interesting chat show aptly named The Taste SVP Spotlight with a clear call to action from our regional leaders.
The ‘Queens of Cuisine’ took their seat at the table with Emma Banks to discuss the challenges faced by women in the world’s kitchen.
