The 2019 Spirited Awards nomination process saw a record number of submissions across categories. The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is thrilled by the hospitality industry’s participation in recognizing the incredible hard work and achievements of all involved and is proud to announce the Regional Top 10 honorees, broken into regions in the United States (East, Central and West) and Internationally (Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, The Americas (Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada).
Charlotte Voisey, Spirited Awards Chairperson said, “This year, I am delighted to see more nominations from more people in every region of the world, recognizing local talent and achievement. We want to continue this trend and encourage judges and individuals to raise the profile of their communities by nominating even more bars, individuals and teams.”
The following categories are announced within their respective regions:
Best Hotel Bar
Best Restaurant Bar
Best New Cocktail Bar
Best Bar Team
Best High Volume Cocktail Bar
About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
The Foundation is a non-profit organization which is the global leader in spirits education and a platform to tackle issues facing the industry. The pillars of the Foundation are to Educate, Advance, and Support the hospitality industry through programs that benefit individuals and organizations in the community and to make lasting impact in communities that host our events.
Founded in 2002, Tales of the Cocktail® has grown from an annual walking tour of historic New Orleans cocktail bars, into the world’s premier cocktail festival. In addition, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation also produces Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour; supports the Cocktail Apprentice Program, an exclusive mentorship program for up-and-coming bartenders; manages the Tales 365 membership program; distributes industry focused grants; curates programming which addresses the serious issues our industry faces on a regular basis within its initiative Beyond the Bar; celebrates the The Dame Hall of Fame®, a collection of women who have made unique and lasting contributions to the global hospitality industry; and publishes bartender-focused educational content year-round on TalesoftheCocktail.org.
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (MEA)
The number of nominations continues to increase annually but remains an emerging scene for cocktail culture.
Best High Volume Cocktail Bar – MEA
Buddha-Bar – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Central Station Boutique Bar – Beirut, Lebanon
Front/Back – Accra, Ghana
Iris – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Miss Lily’s at the Sheraton Grand Hotel – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Mr. Miyagis – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Royale – Randburg, South Africa
Soho Garden – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Weslodge Saloon at the JW Marriott Marquis – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector.
Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC).
She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book.
She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter.
Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler.
It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
