Midamar wins 2012 "Best New Halal Food" and "Best New Fast Food Product" at Gulfood Awards in Dubai

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Midamar Corporation based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa  was crowned the winner of the coveted and prestigious international award for "Best New Halal Food" for the second year in a row. Midamar is the first and only American company to win the award. Smoked Peppered Halal Beef Strips were deemed the "Best New Halal Food" by a panel of judges at Gulfood 2012 in Dubai.  Midamar was awarded the 2011 title for the All Natural ABF Air Chilled Halal Whole Chicken.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120221/CG57393)

Midamar also won the equally sought after 2012 international award "Best New Fast Food Product or Innovation" for Halal Hickory Smoked Chopped and Formed Beef Strips. Over 5000 companies were invited to compete for the awards and there were over 120 submissions from 30 countries. The submitted products were judged by a panel of international food experts.

"Midamar is very pleased to be the proud recipient of the prestigious 2012 Gulfood Award for Best New Halal Product.  Winning this award two years running says a great deal for the efforts and contributions by all members of the Midamar team," said Midamar Director Jalel Aossey.

The winners of the third Gulfood Awards, the Middle East's most highly regarded food and beverage accolades, were crowned on Sunday at a spectacular gala event held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on the opening day of Gulfood. The Gulfood Awards are organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Helal Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: "The exceptional caliber of entries received this year highlights the talent and innovation that is emerging from food and beverage industry professionals. As the largest and most influential annual trade exhibition in the world, Gulfood has consistently attracted industry leaders from across the globe, and to see this excellence carried through to the Awards only adds to the exhibition's growing influence."

Midamar has been attending Gulfood since the first show was organized more than 25 years ago and was the first American company to participate in the event.  Midamar has been promoting premium quality, USDA Certified US beef and poultry products in the Middle East and South East Asia for over 35 years.

"Gulfood  has proven to be an excellent event to promote the Midamar brand and to meet  customers, distributors, and industry experts. One core focus we have made over the last several decades is to constantly assess our market and consumer preferences and develop food products around their needs,"  said Aossey  "Midamar's recent launch of our new beef strips line is a testament to our passion to meet the ongoing needs and desires of our global consumer base.  Gulfood is the ideal event to officially launch this line in the GCC. "

The Best New Halal Food winner, Black Pepper Beef Strips line was developed for consumers and chefs looking to upscale the traditional beef strips that Midamar has offered the retail and food service sectors for over 30 years.  The "Black Pepper Beef Strips" is a fantastic product for creating such items as Black Pepper Wrapped Beef Tenderloin and Dressing up Gourmet Burgers.  The winner of the Best Fast Food Product and Innovation Award, "Hickory Smoke Beef Strips" is a product Midamar developed in cooperation with specific international franchise concepts and hotels.  

Aossey added, "The objective was to offer a bacon-like alternative that was suitable for sandwich style dining and an easy bite for burgers, salads, breakfast buffets, and more. We used the same famous white hickory smoked recipe of our original strips in an easily bitable and chewable beef strip.  Our team has and continues to make great strides in developing products in cooperation with our consumers. Winning the Gulfood Awards is a wonderful venue to be recognized for such efforts."

Midamar works closely with US Franchise concepts, offering sourcing, support and direction as they enter the rapidly growing Middle Eastern Hospitality Market.  Directors of Midamar will be speaking in the morning session of the Franchising Workshop at the Gulfood Conference on  February 22, 2012.  Von Kennedy, Midamar Director of Business Development will deliver insights on food supply chain essentials, risk strategies and Halal considerations to investors, restaurant owners, franchisees, and franchisors at the conference.  Kennedy has been assisting international franchise operators in achieving smooth and seamless supply chain operations and ensuring lasting success of new restaurant developments in the region. Midamar owners and directors will be in Booth M 102, the American Pavilion until the show closes on the 22^nd.

About Midamar

Midamar Corporation is the USA pioneer and leader in Halal food services. Midamar provides Halal food production and distribution, export management for USA based companies, and export services to restaurant concepts locating throughout the Middle East, South East Asia, and the Far East. Additionally, Midamar Corporation offers consulting services to US based companies who are expanding their business internationally. Founded in 1974, Midamar is centrally located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States. For more information visit:  www.midamar.com .

SOURCE Midamar Corporation