Karachi celebrates first-ever restaurant awards

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

History of sorts was made on December 9 when the All Pakistan Restaurant Association (APRA), the only authorized body of restaurants and caterers in the country, hosted the first-ever restaurant awards ceremony at Hotel Marriott, Karachi. 

After innumerable showbiz and business awards, there finally took place a restaurant awards highlighting Karachi’s finest eateries in a befitting manner. 

The objective behind holding the award was to recognize and acknowledge special features of restaurants, including food and service excellence, outstanding dining and delivery experiences. 

There were a total of 17 customer choice awards and the voting continued for a month from August 10 to September 10 and the APRA duly fulfilled its commitment by organizing a grand ceremony on December 9 which had all the colorful ingredients of a memorable event. 

The jury for the APRA awards consisted of Chef Saadat, Chef Abdul Hadi, Sumera Hussain and Dr Sadia Safdar. 

“After receiving numerous applications for nominees, our experienced jury members had a thorough selection process in which five to seven restaurants for each award were carefully selected," the APRA Chairperson, Waqas Azeem, was quoted as saying. 

“Since we are a nation of food lovers, it is indeed the perfect time to bring in an all-inclusive body that supports and represents the many restaurants and caterers we have in Pakistan. The food industry is flourishing at an all-time high hence we believe this initiative will greatly encourage the restaurants, existing and new entrants to offer the best of the best food quality and service to their consumers,” he added. 

The APRA, registered with the Directorate General Trade Organisation (DGTO), Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, is incorporated as company with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) besides being a member of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). 

Following were the winners of the various awards: 

Cuisine 

Best Burger House of the Year: Burger O Clock 

Best Pakistani Restaurant of the Year: Lal Qila 

Best Pan Asian Restaurant of the Year: Chop Chop Wok 

Best Chinese Restaurant of the Year: Ginsoy 

Best Coffee Place of the Year: Coffe Wagera 

Best Chai Place of the Year: Chotu Chaiwala 

Best Pizza House of the Year: Broadway 

Best Biryani Restaurant of the Year: Student Biryani 

Serving 

Best Buffet Restaurant of the Year: Lal Qila 

Best Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year: Del Frio 

Special 

Food Legend of the Year: Ginsoy 

Best Pocket Friendly Restaurant of the Year: Kaybees 

New Entrant of the Year: Yoshi’s 

Best Innovation Dish award of the Year: Meat the Cheese 

Best Restaurant for Ambiance of the Year: Thyme 

Delivery on Time award of the Year: McDonalds 

Restaurant of the Year-Karachi: McDonalds 

Best Fine Dining of the Year: Okra 

Food Veteran Award: Bar B Q Tonight 

Best Customer Experience of the Year: Kolachi 

Best Brand Turnaround of the Year: KFC 

Best Industry Facilitator of the Year: Pepsi

Lifetime Achievement Award: Zubaida Apa