IRHA announces the Launch of the Most Comprehensive and Prestigious Awards Program & Gala Ceremony in the Hospitality Industry
To celebrate the world's finest value, moderate and luxury hotels and restaurants committed to the highest standards of quality service and to promote the global appreciation of travel, dining & cultural exploration.
The International Restaurant and Hotel Awards™ is juried by a board of esteemed hospitality industry professionals with extensive experience in each category field. Representatives include food & travel TV and radio personalities from the Food Network, Travel Channel, Fine Living Channel, CBS Radio, BBC Food & UKTV Food including Michael Chiarello, Mark DeCarlo, Frank Bordoni, Tamasin Day-Lewis, Merrill Shindler, Glenn Austin, Alan Coxon,...
The International Restaurant and Hotel Awards™ is juried by a board of esteemed hospitality industry professionals with extensive experience in each category field. Representatives include food & travel TV and radio personalities from the Food Network, Travel Channel, Fine Living Channel, CBS Radio, BBC Food & UKTV Food including Michael Chiarello, Mark DeCarlo, Frank Bordoni, Tamasin Day-Lewis, Merrill Shindler, Glenn Austin, Alan Coxon, Stefan Gates, Eric Lanlard, Sophie Michell, Lannice Snyman, Richard Phillips, Lynne Rossetto Kasper, Carol Selva-Rajah and Noel McMeel. Master Sommeliers, famous wine educators, consultants and merchants from around the world also join the IRHA jury, including Natalie MacLean, Stephen A. Mutkoski, Tom Geniesse, Jacquelyn Buchanan, Pancho Campo, Ronn Wiegand, Adam Leemon, Julie Brosterman, Eric Stumpf & Debbie Zachareas.
Top representatives from the following organizations and publications are also judging submissions: Cool Hotels, Fodor’s Travel Publications, Zagat Survey, Hungry? City Guides, Time Out New York, H2g Travel Guides, Luxury Hotels, US & World Green Building Council, International Association of Culinary Professionals, Cool Restaurants, International Spa Association, National Restaurant Association, Robb Report, Hsyndicate, Design Hotels AG, HSMAI, FCSI, ISHC, AH&LA, American Spa, Hospitality Design, Australian Culinary Federation, Chocolatier, Boutique Design, Beach Hotels, Pool Hotels, Cool Hotels Ecological, World Board of Chefs, Vegnews Magazine, Pastry Art & Design, and Parenting Magazine. Faculty from the best culinary and hospitality management schools including the Cornell University School of Hospitality Management, The Culinary Institute of America, University of Las Vegas Nevada Hotel Management School, SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School, -more- TRINITY International School of Tourism Management, Greece, International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef, Germany, Le Cordon Bleu, COPIA: The American Center for Food, Wine & the Arts, Institute of Culinary Education, School of Hospitality, Tourism & Marketing: Victoria Australia, The Wine Academy of Spain, Institute of Culinary Arts, South Africa, Culinary Academy of New York and more will provide valuable insight. Over ten top hospitality design firms have representatives sitting on the IRHA Advisory Board. A full list of jurors is available at
IRHA stands alone in creating an open and fair awards program for all types of businesses, large or small. Recipients will set the standard of travel establishment excellence for years to come.
- HOTEL CATEGORIES: Best Design, Endless Amenities, Breath-taking Views, Green Award (Eco Building), Best Suite, Family Friendly, Best Water Feature (Pool, Beach or Jacuzzi), Best Spa, Best Lobby, Best New Hotel of the Year, International Hotel of the Year
- RESTAURANT CATEGORIES: Best Design, Best Brunch, Best Views, Best Regional Cuisine*, Best Specialty Item, Best Ethnic Cuisine*, Most Organic & Sustainable, Best Wine List, Best Dessert, Best New Restaurant of the Year, International Restaurant of the Year.
THE IRHA GALA CELEBRATION
A glamorous gala will celebrate the top hotels and restaurants at the Beverly Hills Hilton, home of the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, California. Hotel and restaurant executives, star chefs, leaders of international organizations, major trade publication & travel guide publishers, editors & authors, top critics, industry elite, travel and restaurant enthusiasts and IRHA Recipients from around the world will gather to celebrate this year’s finest restaurants and hotels. In addition to receiving two tickets to the IRHA Gala in Beverly Hills, top honorees will receive the coveted IRHA statue, a certificate of achievement, and maximum exposure to the hospitality industry & the public through the IRHA website, the 2008 Gala, print and online marketing, and the International Restaurant & Hotel Awards Annual Book.
BEST OF SHOW
Each year, two established industry stars will select 30-40 restaurants and hotels from the pools of first, second and third place hotels and restaurants in all subcategories to be exhibited on the Best Of Show page on IRHAwards.com and linked to heavy usage websites in the hospitality industry for maximum exposure.
THE IRHA BOOK
In addition, the first, second, and third place subcategory award recipients and IRHA Grand Award hotels and restaurants will be published in a high-quality, full color, hardcover annual International Restaurant and Hotel Awards Book distributed throughout the International Hospitality Community. The top 30 selections in each subcategory will also receive listing in the IRHA book directory and online.