ABSOLUTELY FAB-ULOUS

Since their inception in 2011, the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards have represented a critical showcasing and recognition of industry excellence.

At a glittering Gala Evening on 26 June, hosted in style by Ontario International Airport, the class of 2024 more than honoured that heritage.

The judges received nearly 300 entries this year and were deeply heartened by the excellence, the diversity and the passion underpinning them.

From grab-and-go snack to coffee bars to food halls to airport lounges, the awards saluted companies and teams not just for commercial success but for championing values – of diversity, equity and inclusion, of sustainability, of sense of place and of the highest quality in delivery to the consumer.

The judging panel this year included: Nick Inkster, a highly respected consultant who spent 25 years in senior roles with SSP; Kevin Zajax, CEO at Ground Control and former CEO & Managing Director at Emirates Leisure Retail; Sevda Fevzi, President & CEO of Sevly Inc; Nick Goddard-Palmer, Co-Founder of food & beverage to retail experts Hunter Palmer Global Retail Solutions; ServiceQ CEO and Founder Jaquie Scammell; 4QD Strategy Consulting LLC President Peter Gargiulo; Concession Planning International Managing Partner Susan Gray; and ECE Marketplaces Project Director – Leasing Services Jonathan Doughty, plus The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.

Read on for our roll call of superb overall winners, regional winners and Highly Commendeds, plus our special judges’ awards.