Thirty-nine finalists have been selected for the 10 public accolades of the 2013 Gourmet Stars Awards, an annual highlight of the UAE capital’s annual culinary festival, Gourmet Abu Dhabi.

The fifth edition of the event will be held across 20 of Abu Dhabi’s leading restaurants from February 5 to 20.

Round two of public voting for the awards is now open until January 14 through the official Gourmet Abu Dhabi website gourmetabudhabi.ae.

Widely recognised as the ‘Oscars of the local Hospitality Industry’, the awards recognise individuals and restaurants that have contributed most to the UAE capital’s expanding hospitality sector.

Following public voting, a three-strong judging panel will spend two weeks touring the shortlisted venues to cast the final vote.

“Generating healthy competition within the industry and stimulating excellence, these awards are one of the most anticipated events in the Gourmet Abu Dhabi programme,” said Noura Al Dhaheri, Leisure Products development manager for Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the festival organiser.

“This year we are seeing an impressive list of nominations from not only industry newcomers, but established favourites on Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene who continue to raise the bar.”

This year’s programme features 12 industry awards – two are not open to public voting – and are segregated into three categories - Chef, Service and Restaurant.

The awards include: ‘Executive Chef of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Chef of the Year’ presented by Acqua Panna & S. Pellegrino, ‘Regional Cuisine Chef of the Year’, ‘Pastry Chef of the Year’, ‘Food & Beverage Manager of the Year’, ‘Regional Cuisine Manager of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Manager of the Year’, ‘Restaurant Host of the Year’, ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Regional Cuisine Restaurant of the Year’.

The two new awards in the festival’s fifth anniversary programme are: ‘Best Use of Local Produce by a Chef’ presented by Abu Dhabi Farmer’s Service Centre (ADFSC) fresh produce brand, Local Harvest; and a ‘Best Sustainability Practice Award’ presented by BBC Good Food magazine, the event’s official exclusive food magazine partner.

These awards will be judged on separate criteria for evaluating and judging, and are aimed at encouraging the Abu Dhabi hospitality industry to increase awareness and use of fresh and organic local produce.

Winners will be announced during the gala dinner on February 20 at the The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. – TradeArabia News Service