KUALA LUMPUR, 16TH APRIL 2014 – SOULed Out (Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur) edged out almost 200 top F&B establishments to take home the most coveted “Outlet of the Year” Award, as well as the “Best Resto-Bar” Award at the HAPA-GAB Excellence Awards 2013-2014.
Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB), in collaboration with Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA), hosted one of Malaysia’s most prestigious hospitality awards to recognise and reward the crème de la crème of the hospitality industry.
“To be in the same league as all the big names of the industry, which have been in the business for so many years, it’s really a surprise for us to have won the Outlet of the Year Award”, shared Fred Choo, Owner of WIP/SOULed Out Group KL.“ The Malaysian hospitality industry today is not far from other developed countries. With strong competition coming in, service is constantly improving. The HAPA-GAB Excellence Awards is a wonderful way to be inspired and to set a benchmark for the industry.”
The Black & Gold themed, glamorous black tie affair showcased the importance of hospitality excellence in today’s industry, rewarding GAB trade partners who have demonstrated excellence in various categories to ensure the perfect customer experience is delivered to end consumers.
The 5 key quality attributes that were judged comprised of Product Quality, Service Quality, F&B Innovation, General Operations and Ambience. Outlets were categorised into Restaurants, Bars, Resto-Bars and Clubs, where key quality attributes were judged according to their category.
The panel of judges, a confidential group of experts and influential tastemakers selected by HAPA, visited the nominated outlets anonymously within a five-month period as part of the stringent judging process.
“GAB values our trade partners, and such, we want to support them by equipping them with stringent product and service quality training, as well as innovative techniques in delivering the perfect customer experience anytime and anywhere throughout Malaysia.”
“It is extremely important for F&B establishments today to deliver quality and to be innovative in every way possible to ensure they are ahead of the game, as customers today are more discerning and have higher expectations,” said Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of GAB during his opening speech.
Malones Irish Bar, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur won the “Service Excellence Award, while, The Bierhaus, Taman Sentosa Johor won the “Most Innovative Guest Experience” Award, as well as the “Best Restaurant” Award.
Never Mine, Kuala Lumpur won “Best Bar”, while Aruku The Walk, Johor won “Best Club”.
The Brazzo Restaurant & Lounge, Johor topped the “Best Product Quality” Award, where the sub-category awards were crowned to D Legends Bar, Kuala Lumpur (Perfect Serve Tiger), Palate Palette Restaurant & Bar, Kuala Lumpur (Perfect Serve Guinness), Basic Pub & Bistro, Johor (Perfect Serve Heineken) and Foos Steak House, Ipoh (Perfect Serve Kilkenny).
