8 Dubai restaurants awarded prestigious Thai government award

The prestigious award recognises the quality of Thai restaurants on several parameters, and is endorsed by various government organisations. The awards ceremony, which was held in Dubai, is a prelude to the four-day long 'Thailand' exhibition scheduled to be in the city, during September 10 to 13.

The Thai Select award has been conferred on Ayotaya, Baitong, Benjarong, Blue Elephant, Lemongrass, Sukhothai, Thai Chi and Thai Kitchen - all Dubai based restaurants. The general managers, executive chefs, and the F&B teams of the eight award winning restaurants were felicitated personally by HE Mr. Karn Chiranond, the Thai Ambassador to the UAE, who also awarded the much coveted certificates to the winners.

According to the ambassador, Thai food evokes a phenomenal response in the UAE, and is steadily continuing to grow in both popularity and success. While Thailand is well known as the 'Kitchen of the World', various government departments are trying to ensure that all visitors to Thai restaurants in the UAE have an enriching and fulfilling experience, he said. He pointed out that there currently are more than 40 Thai restaurants and close to 400 Thai chefs based in Dubai alone, and everyone was constantly trying to better their standards.

According to Wittayakorn Maneenetr, Director of the Thai Trade Center, the awards signify the highest honour for a Thai restaurant as it assesses quality of ingredients, preparation, presentation and other factors in a long evaluation process.

"If you see a Thai Select stamp inside a Thai restaurant, you can be assured that you will savour delicious Thai cuisine, in a pleasant atmosphere, cooked to perfection, and served with a smile. You can be guaranteed a journey into Thai culture," he emphasised, while congratulating the winners. "It is a proud moment for all of us that no less than eight restaurants n Dubai have won this prestigious award in the very first year," he stated.

Maneenetr also said that the awards were a run-up to the keenly awaited Thailand exhibition, which will be held in Dubai during September 10 to 13, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. "These eight restaurants, as well as visiting Thai food manufacturers and retailers will be showcasing their offerings at the exhibition - together with the best of products and services that Thailand has to offer the world," he added. The Thailand exhibition will feature separate visitor timings for trade and public.

Thai Trade Center Dubai is one of 53 overseas offices of The Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government.