As a first for Australia the team are moving towards the launching of the Halal Food Awards for 2024!
The diversity of the Australian Community ensures that the types of foods available to consumers reflects the wonderful cultures and tastes yet to be explored.
Many Restaurants, Cafes, Food Vans and Caters have been meeting the challenges of 2020 and 2021 with true "Aussie Spirit". With so many managing the challenges of flaring hot spots, lockdowns and more it becomes a daily issue to stay open long enough to break even.
The successful manner in which Australia has isolated and shown a resolve to push through these challenges has seen a number of New Outlets open throughout Australia. Pushing through the hurdles and committing to making a success out of the ashes - a true Phoenix approach.
Noone likes to see the social hubs of our communities take such a hit and sadly we now some venues have closed their doors to never open again. Yet those that remain stand tirelessly at the counter to serve us with the quality of food that we have treated ourselves with. We hear of legendary tips being made to not just the waiter but to the Restaurant and delight in sharing that story in the hope that it will give some light to the end of the tunnel.
That is why the Team at Halal Foods felt it was important, now, more than ever to be a leader in the market place. We wanted to step into the void and simply support those Outlets that have borne the brunt of forced changes...the reduction of access to the Tourism Dollars, the irregular and stessed local market, the growing cost of products all adding to the challenges.
From that desire was borne the need to introduce the Australian Halal Food Awards.
With 20+ exciting categories we cover a lot of regions, cuisines and styles.
Our aim is to give recognition to those participating Members by the Australian Consumer. A gesture of appreciation and an acknowledgement of the quality delivered and enjoyed with every mouthful.
Often asked and always hard to answer were questions such as "Where is the Best Briyani!" or "Where is the Best Fine Dining?". We wanted to tear down those question marks with an emphatic and positive answer. Those outlets that are Nominated will be issued a Certificate of Recognition , from that pool of Nominees our State Panels will get involved and assess the shortlist for the State Winner of that Category. To which recognition as State Winner will be given by way of Trophy. There can only be ONE! Was once a catch cry for a famous movie (or infamous) and true to that there can only be one National Winner. Each State winner will be assessed against key criteria by our Panel with the Winner being given the ultimate recognition of National Winner.... then they can really stand tall and say "We have Australia's best Briyani!"
So that gives a good outline on how we are going to manage these awards.
We have been active in approaching some of Australia's best to participate on each regional Panel and the feedback has been exciting. We will give announcements as we approach the Awards Night but for now we want the Panel to remain out of sight as they will need to visit and assess those Venues nominated to dine as a Mystery Diner...I am sure you understand.
(We will add information on each Panel Member at a later date and by all means if you feel that you have the right experiences to add value to a Panel then feel free to contact our team with an outline on why you should be a part of the Panel. Someone will get in touch to discuss more about it - but I distract myself! This was really all about giving people an outline on what we are doing.)
So whilst I work tirelessly at delivering a wonderful Awards experience it is fortunate that I am a part of a team that is just as excited as I am to drive such a Positive Change of recognition into the Australian Marketplace.
Mai