Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year 2023
Qatar Duty Free captures the ultimate award
Qatar Duty Free at Hamad International Airport captured the hearts and minds of judges to be named Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year.
A triumphant Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh holds aloft the Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year award
Qatar Duty Free at Hamad International Airport (HIA) was singled out for its “delicious food delivered in spectacular style with creativity galore” by the judges, who praised it for “variety and excellence on every single level”.
Picking up the most-coveted trophy in travel F&B, Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh was visibly moved, saying: “This is what happens when everybody comes together with one vision and one dream.”
He went on to thank The Moodie Davitt team for restarting the awards post-pandemic, saying: “Food & beverage in airports is so underrated but plays such an important part in the customer’s journey. Let’s all get behind it.”
The blended approach
With its world-first Louis Vuitton lounge in association with three-star Michelin Chef Yannick Alléno, VIP guests at Hamad International (HIA) can order from a menu that includes lobster sandwiches, French pastries and four types of caviar served with a thick dollop of Normandy cream.
Fendi Caffe serves coffees with milk froth emblazoned with the Italian fashion house’s logo. There is also an Emporio Armani Caffe, a Ralph Lauren Ralph’s Coffee, a Harrods Tea Room with gold-plated cups and the only airport Oreo Café in the world.
The vast F&B estate has no shortage of luxurious or Instagrammable offerings, but the judges were not simply swayed by glamour. Qatar Duty Free was chosen as the winner thanks to its commitment to offering something for all passengers across a range of price points and cuisines.
Its diversity of staff, strong commitment to sustainability and focus on a nuanced mix of international and local flavours also earned plaudits.
Qatar Duty Free oversees all F&B outlets, helping to ensure innovation, quality and consistency whether you are dining in a Burger King or a Michelin-star level restaurant. Menu prices range from Chapati & Karak’s US$2 hot karak (sweet, strong chai tea) to the Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno’s US$130 caviar.
A world-first, the ‘lounge within a lounge’ from Louis Vuitton
VIP diners can choose between classic French savouries and hand-crafted patisseries
With 12 Michelin stars, Chef Yannick Alléno brings world-class standards to the menu and offer
With teal seating upholstered in Josef Frank, the setting is Scandi-meets-opulence
Diversity
The airport’s F&B team comprises over 69 nationalities, speaking 47 different languages, a key factor in delivering a seamless customer experience for travellers from all backgrounds.
Equally, the airport serves an exceptionally diverse passenger profile as the hub of Qatar Airways, which flies to more than 150 destinations worldwide.
At Chapati & Karak, pide-style flatbreads and chapatis offer excellent value for money
The Qatari Karak – a spiced tea made with ginger, cardamom, milk and sugar
“Hospitality, generosity and a relentless focus on quality guide the service offer and customer experience here,” noted the judges.
“There are magnificent chef-led partnerships, and pioneering world firsts. From the US$2 proposition up to offerings costing hundreds of dollars, it all adds up to one of the most diverse airport F&B propositions in the world. And the cherry on top is exceptional sales performance and hugely positive customer feedback.”
F&B revenue at HIA has doubled since 2019, with the average transaction value increasing by +29% and sales per passenger up by a remarkable +70%.
Introducing the finest F&B offering in travel – Qatar Duty Free
Sustainability
Qatar Duty Free has committed to progressing its sustainable practices throughout HIA. The new F&B offering has been designed with LEED certification, the most widely used green building rating system for eco credentials. This means materials are sourced from sustainable suppliers and the use of 'smart' LED lighting that automatically dims to save energy.
From a menu perspective, ingredients are sourced locally to reduce QDF’s carbon footprint, while all packaging and cutlery are either recyclable or have been sustainably made. HIA passenger traffic has doubled year-on-year, with 35.7 million passengers served in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup. The Qatar Duty Free team delivered an extraordinary F&B expansion in under six months, creating a world-class offering while keeping the planet front of mind. Next year, phase B of the expansion project will be completed, which will include the extension of Concourse D and E, adding another 18 gates and new brands to the F&B offer.
It was a busy table – Qatar Duty Free celebrates another win
Proudly making his way to the stage, Thabet Musleh prepares to accept the biggest award in airport food & beverage
Influencer Anas Abouqamer, aka @triplefqatar (left), records the moment
An emotional Musleh accepts the award from The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt
Qatar Duty Free triumphed time and again throughout the night, taking home six global awards and multiple regional and Highly Commended accolades.
FAB eZine
January 2024
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