The Faro Awards are here to stay

On 19 February, the first edition of the Faro Awards for Technological Excellence in Hospitality was held in Madrid, at Espacio ABC. These awards are born from the shared vision between CoverManager and the restaurants and Hospitality companies that, in their love for the sector, strive to achieve the perfect synergy with technology. The result? An unforgettable night and an awards ceremony that will give a lot to talk about.

Why hold them?

Digitalisation and technological innovation are both key tools for optimising operations in Hospitality. At Cover we had the desire and the conviction that it was high time to reward, beyond culinary talent, the effort that kitchen and dining-room professionals and companies make day after day to deliver an extraordinary experience to their guests through the use of technological tools.

That commitment, moreover, is reflected in the fact that other restaurants adopt the models that succeed; they use them as a precedent, or a guiding light, or a lighthouse (faro). That is where the slogan was born “what guides others deserves to be rewarded. And we are going to do it”

The nominees and winners:

Technological excellence in Hospitality can be reflected from various perspectives; hence the emergence of the different categories. The hosts of the gala, journalist Mar Villalobos and actor Antonio Garrido, were explaining them throughout the night.

Below, each of them, their nominees and the winner:

FARO AWARD FOR THE MOST DIGITALISED REGION IN 2023:

Recognition of the region leading in digitalisation through CoverManager: MADRID

FARO AWARD FOR THE MOST DIGITALISED COUNTRY IN 2023:

Recognition of the country leading in digitalisation through CoverManager: MEXICO

FARO AWARD FOR THE LOWEST NO-SHOW RATE

Recognition of impeccable management of tools to prevent empty tables and last-minute cancellations

• Begin Origen (Grupo Begin)
• Botafumeiro (Grupo Moncho’s). 1 solete in the Repsol Guide
• La Maruca Restaurante - Santander (Grupo Cañadío)
• Osaka San Isidro (Pardo y Aliaga, Lima)
• RavioXo (Dabiz Muñoz). 1 sol in the Repsol Guide

FARO AWARD FOR ONLINE GASTRONOMIC BUSINESS

A recognition of those who take their gastronomy beyond their dining room.

• Grupo Dani García
• Restaurante Masterchef
• Pangea
• Restaurante Quique Dacosta. 3 soles in the Repsol Guide
• Ramón Freixa Madrid. 3 soles in the Repsol Guide

FARO AWARD FOR THE BEST GUEST EXPERIENCE:

A recognition of the creation of unique and memorable experiences.

• Filandón (Grupo Pescaderías Coruñesas). Recommended in the Repsol Guide
• Leña (Grupo Dani García). Recommended in the Repsol Guide
• María Trifulca (Grupo Trifulca). Recommended in the Repsol Guide
• Rosi La Loca
• Voltereta

FARO AWARD FOR THE MOST EFFICIENT DINING ROOM:

Recognition of the extraordinary optimisation of spaces and reservations.

• Club Financiero Génova (Grupo Azotea y Familia La Ancha)
• La Gavitella
• La Máquina Jorge Juan
• Roostiq. Recommended in the Repsol Guide
• Restaurante 1881 per Sagardi

FARO AWARD FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION IN INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS:

• Bacira. Recommended in the Repsol Guide
• Bálamo. 1 solete Repsol
• Boragó
• Club Allard. 1 sol in the Repsol Guide
• Fierro. 1 sol in the Repsol Guide
• Ugo Chan. 1 sol in the Repsol Guide

FARO AWARD FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION IN RESTAURANT GROUPS:

• Grupo Arsenio
• Grupo Arzábal
• Grupo Con Fuego
• Grupo El Escondite
• Grupo Larrumba
• Grupo Tragaluz

FARO AWARD FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION IN CHAIN CATERING:

• Grupo Alsea
• Goiko
• Grosso Napoletano
• La Mafia
• Grupo Saona
• Grupo Sibuya

FARO AWARD FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION IN BEACH CLUBS AND NIGHTCLUBS

• Blue Marlin. Recommended in the Repsol Guide
• Lío Ibiza
• Mamzel
• Marina Beach
• Nikki Beach
• Pachá Ibiza

FARO AWARD FOR THE CHEF AT THE DIGITAL VANGUARD

Recognition of the chef who blends technology and gastronomy in a remarkable way.

• Eneko Atxa (Azurmendi). 3 soles in the Repsol Guide
• Ernesto Iacarino (Don Alfonso 1890)
• Jesús Sánchez (Cenador de Amós). 3 soles in the Repsol Guide
• Ricard Camarena (Ricard Camarena Restaurant). 3 soles in the Repsol Guide
• Xanty Elías (Finca Alfoliz). Recommended in the Repsol Guide

FARO AWARD FOR THE CHEF WITH A DIGITAL TRACK RECORD

Tribute to the chef who pioneered the integration of technology with their profession

• Dabiz Muñoz (DiverXo). 3 soles in the Repsol Guide
• Mario Sandoval (Coque). 3 soles in the Repsol Guide
• Mauro Colagreco (Mirazur)
• Paco Morales (Noor Restaurant). 3 soles in the Repsol Guide
• Paco Roncero (Paco Roncero Restaurante). 3 soles in the Repsol Guide

The dinner and the -now classic- CoverParty

The night did not end with the awards ceremony. In fact, it had only just begun. Before the attendees found out who the winners of this first edition were, they were able to enjoy a welcome drink, stop by the photocall and savour some appetisers. After the official ceremony came the dinner catered by Ramón Freixa. And, shortly afterwards, the CoverParty, the most popular after party that takes place during the HIP celebration. Everyone takes the end of a magical night home in their own camera roll. We can only say that, every year, it is more and better.

Not without our partners

The Faro Awards rose to the occasion thanks to the invaluable collaboration of the gala’s partners : Heineken, Grupo Varma, GetNet by Santander, Codorníu, Suntory and Carrasco Ibéricos. In addition to this, the members of the jury were of the highest level: David Basilio (Co-CEO of Hosteleo), Joaquim Boadas (Secretary General of International Nightlife Corporate), Iñaki Echeveste (Director of the Higher School of Hospitality of Seville), Emilio Gallego (Secretary General of Hostelería de España), Raúl Gil (Commercial Director of Supracafe), Dionisio Lara (President of Noche Madrid), Guillermo Lobato (Key Account Director of Rational Iberia), Pepa Muñoz (President of Facyre), Marianela Olivares (General Director of Linkers), Camilo Ospina (President of the Ibero-American Association of Nightlife Industries), Enrique Rivero (Hospitality Relations / Key Accounts in Hospitality at Pascual), Antonella Ruggiero (General Director of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy) and Mario Severiano (Manager of the Repsol Guide).

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