Standard Chartered Bank is the presenting sponsor of the Qatar Today Restaurant Awards 2005

The Restaurant Awards ceremony will be held in an elaborate and glamorous function this year under the presenting sponsorship of Standard Chartered Bank, Qatar's first bank and the leading international bank in the Middle East. The number of award categories has been increased from nine to 12.

The Qatar Today Restaurant Awards is the ultimate recognition of the best and most popular eateries in town with readers invited to vote for their favourite restaurant. Last year's awards had the best of brands vying for the top honours under nine different categories. After four months of hectic voting, the awards were announced in March 2005 and the winners were presented with a plaque in a glittering awards ceremony held.

"The first Qatar Today Restaurant Awards has been a major milestone for the magazine. The 2005 Awards will be held on a much larger scale, with more categories and more restaurants competing for nomination. This year with the association of an important partner like Standard Chartered, the event promises to be a huge success," said Ravi Raman, Business Manager, Oryx Publishing and Advertising Company, the publishing house of Qatar Today.

"Standard Chartered Bank is pleased to present the Qatar Today Restaurant Awards 2005. These awards will provide the residents of Qatar a unique opportunity to rate and award their favourite restaurants. Standard Chartered Bank places great importance on the voice of the customer and these awards will help Qatar's growing restaurant and hospitality sector hear the voice of their customers, helping them improve their services," said Kris Babicci, Chief Executive Officer Qatar for Standard Chartered Bank.