Lauding the FAB-ulous frontline and back of house superstars

Other winners were commended for their small, quiet actions which have made a difference. SSP Eastern Europe and the Middle East HSE & Sustainability Manager Edabelle ‘Belle’ Ragay Veloso was named Front of House Star for the Middle East and Africa for her “crucial” efforts at Abu Dhabi and Dubai international airports training staff in allergy awareness. Over the course of her five-year tenure at these airports, Veloso has played a pivotal role in implementing positive changes for the company and for the safety of travellers.

For the Asia Pacific region, SSP Operations Manager at Hobart Airport Kate Chessells won over the judges. The Front of House Star’s commitment to excellence, her always-positive attitude and passion for delivering an authentic local experience for travellers was described by both bosses and colleagues as “inspiring”, not least after less than two years in the job.

Other team members were also recognised with individual Back of House Star awards. Paradies Lagardère Regional Director of Dining Operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Wael el Tabach impressed judges with his simple, common-sense sustainability initiative to use kegs instead of bottles to serve gallons of fizzy prosecco and ease up on recycling. He had a great idea, saw it through and made it happen – his initiative is now being rolled out elsewhere in the company.

In the APAC region, the Back of House individual winner was HMSHost International’s “unflappable” Project Manager of Operations Arianna Brezigar. Hardworking, dedicated and an indispensable part of the team with seamless management skills, Brezigar was also described as “quiet and laser-focused”, proving that introverts can shine in the workplace.

Another Back of House Star winner, who had huge support from colleagues, was SSP Europe Food & Beverage Director Jim Norris. The much-admired chef looks after the company’s enormous food portfolio in the UK and Ireland and excels at working with exciting new franchise partners while updating existing menus for travellers and keeping up with trends.

Yet another food expert to win plaudits from fellow staff was SSP Eastern Europe and the Middle East Senior Cook Habibur Rahman Skarkar. Colleagues described the pastry chef as a good listener and a great mentor, with a talent for coming up with delicious pastries and lower-sugar treats that he generously and proudly shares with colleagues and stakeholders. Several teams stood out for their devotion to quality service in restaurants where customers want to eat quickly or grab and go. The staff at SSP’s Burger King at Stansted Airport were noted for outstripping all previous sales records while always offering customers a warm welcome.

The Emirates Leisure Retail Costa Coffee team at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 secured a Front of House award for the Middle East and Africa region thanks to their “warm hospitality and exceptional service to everyone from airport staff and utility workers to pilots and VIPs”. Described as “customer obsessed”, they were the top performing branch across the UAE in the first quarter of 2023.

The Areas Worldwide Challenge received the Americas Front of House Team award for championing excellence in the workplace with its annual global initiative, which encourages employees from all over the world to demonstrate team spirit. This tight-knit group was noted for its positive attitude, fostered by Head of Guest Relations Kim Condon, who was singled out for her “love of people” and “natural teaching ability”.

Back of House teams were not forgotten. HMSHost at Toronto Pearson International Airport picked up an Americas Back of House Team award for its commitment to exceeding expectations across the board, including staff members’ much-lauded respect for each other.

Staff were praised for organising incredible charity initiatives and awareness days for staff, as well as a sizeable student mentorship programme to get young people excited about the industry and aspire to work in it.

Giraffe at Dubai International Airport was recognised with the Africa and Middle East Back of House Team award. The wonderful staff were noted for taking the brand’s philosophy of ‘Feel Good Food’ to the next level with their warm customer service and attention to detail. The proudly diverse team was described as a family, helping each other out when it gets hectic and supporting and praising each other’s success, at work and beyond.

It wasn’t only on-site F&B teams working at airports that walked away with accolades. Autogrill’s Product Innovation, Concept Development and Training Team picked up the Europe region Back of House Team award. The team was recognised for the level of research it carries out when developing products as well as its live broadcasts of innovative online cookery demos and talks.

Each entry was nominated by managers or colleagues then assessed by our judges. These included MasterChef Australia 2017 winner Diana Chan; hospitality expert and owner of Ann Elliott Hospitality Consultancy Ann Elliott; much-respected industry veteran and consultant Nick Inkster; Ground Control CEO Kevin Zajax; Hunter Palmer – Global Retail Solutions Co-Founder Nick Goddard-Palmer; and veteran US airport commercial revenues expert and Senior Aviation Commercial Planner for ICF Alan Gluck, as well as The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.