The Winners of the EMEA F&D Rockstars Awards

Launched at The Taste Experience Gala Dinner the EMEA F&D Rockstars Awards will now be an annual celebration of talent from our glorious region! In this article meet the winners who have gone above and beyond to support the EMEA F&D strategy and vision in their venues and hotels.

The inaugural awards was hosted by Hilton legend Emma Banks and TV Personality Kat Farmer.

The 22 awards will be called in the following order:

EMEA WINE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR POWERED BY POMMERY
Winner
Marta di Carlo, Sommelier Bull & Bear by Marc Hardiman, WA DIFC

EMEA VENUE CHEF OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY CHEF WORKS
Winner
Carmine Faravolo, Social, Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah

EMEA F&D MARKETING & PR LEGEND OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY BACARDI
Winner
Nikki Schouwenburg, Cluster Director of Marketing Doubletree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station & Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

EMEA F&D LEADER OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY DILMAH
Winners
Marina Bohnert, F&D Director, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Elena Gorba, F&D Director, Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences

EMEA VENUE OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY COCA COLA
Winner
Luminair / Eclipse, Doubletree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station

EMEA EXECUTIVE CHEF OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY UNOX
Winner
Selim Ay – Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus

EMEA $10M HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2025
Winner
Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

EMEA DRINKS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY PERNOD RICARD
Winner
Valentina-Andrada Mircea, Bar Manager, Hilton Molino Stucky Venice

EMEA F&D GM&E TEAM OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY KRAFT HEINZ
Winner
Hilton Birmingham Metropole

EMEA F&D GM OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY FRANKLIN & SONS
Winner
Hans Schiller, Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences

EMEA FOCUSED FOOD & DRINK HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2025
Winner
Hampton by Hilton Astana Triumphal Arch

MEA F&D HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2025
Winner
Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

CE F&D HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2025
Winner
Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront

UK/I F&D HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2025
Winner
Hilton Glasgow

EMEA F&D STAY SCORE OF THE YEAR 2025
Winner
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers

EMEA RISING STAR OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY FRESH ON TABLE
Winner
Ilaria Carini, Operations Manager, Restaurants, Bars and Banqueting, WA Rome Cavalieri 

EMEA PURPOSE DRIVEN TEAM OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY KLOTH
Winner
Conrad Dubai

EMEA F&D TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE ROLE MODEL 2025
Winner
Stuart Duff, Corporate Chef UK/I

EMEA F&D HUSTLE TEAM OF THE YEAR 2025POWERED BY RED BULL
Winner
Conrad Istanbul Bosphorous

EMMA’S FOOD & DRINK HERO 2025
Winner
Kanan Adbullayev, F&D Director and Fatih Yilmaz, Exec Chef Hilton Baku

EMEA REGIONAL CHEF OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY RATIONAL
Winner
Edwin vandenHeijkant

EMEA REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 2025 POWERED BY JULIUS MEINL
Winner
Elie Badawi

The winners will be treated to an exquisite trip to Pommery later this year – you will be able to follow all the action on @TasteofHilton.