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This is an annual award, a collaboration between Mastercard and Vietcetera, honoring the most outstanding names in the Food & Beverage industry for their exceptional contributions to the sector. Through two rounds of voting by the judging panel and the Vietnamese food-loving community, the Banh Mi Awards are a testament to the quality of service, product flavor, and unique experience design of F&B businesses across Vietnam.
From established names to emerging talents, the Banh Mi Awards recognize 10 outstanding individuals and groups in the F&B industry over the past year. Let's meet the winners of the Vietnam Restaurant and Bar Awards 2023.
Young Leader of the Year: Phan Lê Anh Tú
With the spirit of preparing authentic Vietnamese dishes through an Asian-European lens, Anh Tú and the Ngoặm team have created a contemporary Vietnamese-European culinary concept, with meticulous investment in everything from creative food presentation to artistic interior design and the restaurant's social media presence.
Champion:
- Phan Lê Anh Tú - Chef/Co-founder of Ngoặm
The candidates:
- Phan Lê Anh Tú - Chef/Co-founder of Ngoặm
- Vanny Luong - Founder of An's
- Bien Ngoc Vu - Co-founder of Enigma/ASMR
- Mimi Truong - Co-founder of Elgin
The winner of the "Young Leader of the Year" award is Phan Lê Anh Tú - Chef/Co-founder of Ngoặm.
Outstanding F&B marketing campaign: Pizza 4P's
This Japanese-style artisanal pizza brand, with its meticulous attention to detail and dedication in every step of product preparation, improves service quality and implements sustainable communication campaigns such as a zero-waste restaurant concept, using agricultural products processed right at the table, maximizing the use of clean ingredients and recycled packaging.
Champion:
- Pizza 4P's
The candidates:
- Passion Week - Park Hyatt Saigon
- Sustainability Campaign - Pizza 4P's
- Customer-centric service - Haidilao
The standout F&B marketing campaign belongs to Pizza 4P's, the winner.
The most promising "F&B in-hotel" service of the year: Regent Phu Quoc
This special category is dedicated to hotel chains that invest comprehensively in developing the F&B (food and beverage) aspect within their accommodation services. Beyond hotels and resorts, Regent Phu Quoc also focuses on upgrading all other F&B experiences, such as menu design, food preparation, and elegant, high-class restaurant spaces, to provide guests with a perfect experience.
Champion:
- Regent Phu Quoc
The candidates:
- Sofitel Saigon
- Regent Phu Quoc
- Capella Hanoi
- JW Marriott Hanoi
The most promising "F&B in-hotel" service of the year belongs to Regent Phu Quoc.
Design of the Year: CLAY Saigon
With the aesthetic preferences of modern diners, investing in the aesthetic sense and design of a restaurant's "interface" has become an indispensable part of the F&B industry. CLAY Saigon - a riverside cocktail bar - features a design inspired by tropical coastal areas, with visually pleasing green spaces and furniture made of woven bamboo or brown wood, giving diners a true "staycation" feeling right in the heart of the city.
Champion:
- CLAY Saigon
The candidates:
- Enigma
- Clay Saigon
- Rang Rang
CLAY Saigon is the winner of the Design of the Year award.
Bartender of the Year: Vàng Hiếu Trung - DOT Bar
Bartender Vàng Hiếu Trung from DOT Bar was crowned the winner of the Bartender of the Year 2023 award for his outstanding achievements in his work as a bartender. With his passion for mixology, he has continuously created unique cocktail flavors and improved service at DOT Bar.
Champion:
- Vang Hieu Trung
The candidates:
- Kata Simon - Ministry of Men
- Nguyen Huu Phu - Hybrid Saigon
- Nguyen Tuan Anh - Use Bar Hanoi
- Vang Hieu Trung - DOT Bar
- Bien Ngoc Vu - Enigma
Bartender Vàng Hiếu Trung from DOT Bar is the winner of the Bartender of the Year category in 2023 (Lê Ngọc Minh gave the acceptance speech on his behalf).
Chef of the Year: Thuan Tran
The winner of Chef of the Year 2023 is Chef Thuan Tran - the culinary artist behind the kitchen of Esta - a fine-dining restaurant in the heart of District 1. He has contributed to elevating the status of Vietnamese cuisine to a new level with contemporary inspiration in every dish.
Champion:
- Thuan Tran
The candidates:
- Thuan Tran - Restaurant Esta
- Peter Cuong Franklin - AnAn
- Julien Perraudin - Quince
- Hoang Tung - TUNG Dining, Å by TUNG
- Sam Tran - Gia Restaurant, le Goût de Gia
- Quang Dung - Chapter Grill & Dining
- George Bloomfield - Smoke Restaurant
Chef Thuan Tran was crowned the winner of Chef of the Year 2023.
Bar of the Year - Readers' Choice: Leo's - Cocktails & Co
With its gentle and warm ambiance, Leo's Cocktails & Co. offers customers a cozy and intimate experience, perfect for enjoying cocktails and relaxing at night. The quality, from the flavors of the cocktails to the professional and welcoming service, has earned Leo's Cocktails & Co. the trust and affection of diners in Hanoi.
Champion:
- Leo's Cocktails & Co.
The candidates:
Leo's - Cocktails & Co.
- On The Rock Cocktail Bar
- Hybrid Saigon
- DOT Bar
- Gallery Bespoke Cocktail Bar
Readers' Choice Bar of the Year: Leo's - Cocktails & Co.
Bar of the Year 2023 - Judges' Choice: Enigma
Thanks to the overall excellence that Enigma offers its customers: a creative cocktail menu, high-quality bartender service, and a harmonious blend of lighting, music, and aroma for a memorable bar experience. Not only is the bar meticulously designed to provide an immersive experience, but its social media pages are also well-invested in, featuring eye-catching content and visuals with an impressive aesthetic.
Champion:
- Enigma
The candidates:
- MAD Wine Bar
- Nê Cocktail & Bar
- Ministry of Men
- Enigma
- The Halflington
Bar of the Year 2023 as chosen by the jury: Enigma.
Restaurant of the Year - Readers' Choice: Ngoam
Ngoặm is a "rising star," known as a bistro restaurant that elevates Vietnamese cuisine to a new level, both in flavor and presentation. Ngoặm offers a novel contemporary culinary experience by meticulously investing in every step of food preparation, creating an impressive menu with unique names like "Perfect," "Dồi sao?", "Tỉnh táo," or "Mê muội"... and a polished, visually appealing brand image. In addition, Ngoặm is loved for its attentive and friendly service, creating a comfortable atmosphere.
Champion:
- Bite
The candidates:
- Senté - The Flavor of Lotus
- Bite
- Da Vittorio Saigon
- Nous Dine
- Nuboko Sushi & Teppanyaki
Restaurant of the Year - Readers' Choice: Ngoam.
Restaurant of the Year 2023 - Judges' Choice: Ngoam
Ngoặm impressed the judges with its meticulous attention to detail in every dish, its creative menu with witty and interesting names, and its impeccable service. Ngoặm is a shining example of outstanding contributions to the Vietnamese F&B industry this past year. At Ngoặm, diners not only taste a dish but also experience a unique aspect of Vietnamese culture, seen through the aesthetic lens, the research, and the preservation of traditional colors by its dedicated young founders.
Champion:
- Bite
The candidates:
- Quince
- Restaurant Esta
- Anan
- Bite
- Le Comptoir Da Nang
Restaurant of the Year 2023 - Judges' Choice: Ngoam.
