Judges Announced for Inaugural F&B@Sea Awards
Taking place on the 11 April during F&B@Sea, a one-of-a-kind cruise F&B experience, the inaugural F&B@Sea Awards aim to recognise leadership and innovation within the global food and beverage cruise community. Open to both cruise lines and suppliers and sponsored by Campari Group, the awards are comprised of eight different categories, ranging from Most Sustainable Product & Wellness Pioneer to F&B Maverick of the Year.
This year’s judges include:
- Kimberly Brock Brown, CEPC, CCA, AAC, American Culinary Federation, Board of Directors member and immediate past National President
- Margie Jones, Collins College of Hospitality Management, Interim Dean, “The Wine Professor”
- Rudi Scholdis, Kenoz Caviar Development Center, Casa de Amalia & Amandine Bistró, Culinary Director, Maitre Cuisinier
- Bret Thorn, Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, Senior Food & Beverage Editor
- Rick Welch, RMW Global Consulting, President
- Katherine Wojcik, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Luxury & Lifestyle, Director of Beverage Programs + Partnerships, Certified Sommelier
- David Yeskel, Several trade and consumer publications, Travel Journalist, “The Cruise Guru”
Ken Taylor, Senior Vice President, MarkeTeam and Holly Payne, Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Seatrade Cruise Review will be presenting the awards on 11 April 2024. More information on the judges can be found here.
This year’s awards are sponsored by Campari Group, a major player in the beverage industry with a portfolio of 50+ premium and super premium brands, including Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey, and Grand Marnier.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We are thrilled and honored to be a sponsor of the F&B@Sea 2024 awards. At Campari, we believe in celebrating excellence, innovation, and the passion that drives the food and beverage industry. ‘The F&B@Sea awards are a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection within the industry, and Campari is proud to support and acknowledge these exceptional talents.”
The annual F&B@Sea event takes place April 10-11 at Miami’s Mana Wynwood Convention Center. This two-day event connects cruise lines with suppliers across cruise drinking and dining in a vibrant, immersive marketplace. Plus, attendees will sample goods, witness live demos, and become fluent in F&B trends. F&B@Sea runs in tandem with Seatrade Cruise Global from April 8-11 at Miami Beach Convention Center, with a shuttle bus running between the two venues.
F&B@Sea, now in its second year, was developed in close consultation with cruise lines, food and beverage stakeholders, and culinary leaders with support from Cruise Lines International Association, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and industry consulting leader MarkeTeam.
For more information on F&B@Sea or the awards, visit: www.seatradecruiseevents.com/fnbsea.
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