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 hosts from the Food Network, Fine Living Channel, BBC Food & UKTV Food including Michael Chiarello, Frank Bordoni, Tamasin Day-Lewis, Stefen Gates, Eric Lanlard, Sophie Michell and Lynne Rossetto Kasper. Master Sommeliers, famous educators and consultants from around the world also join the IRHA jury, including Natalie MacLean, Stephen A. Mutkoski, Tom Geniesse, Pancho Campo, Ronn Wiegand and Adam Leemon. Top representatives from the following organizations are also judging submissions: Fodor’s Travel Publications, Hungry? City Guides, Robb Report, Time Out New York, HotelDesigns, Hospitality Design, H2g Travel Guides, US & World Green Building Council, International Association of Culinary Professionals, International Spa Association, Design Hotels AG, HSMAI, FCSI, ISHC, American Spa, Vegnews Magazine 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, Institute of Culinary Education, 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 www.IRHAwards.com.

IRHA’s mission is to salute the achievements of the world’s finest hotels and restaurants, to discover new and emerging establishments, and to promote the appreciation of travel and fine dining. 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
*Best Regional Cuisine & Best Ethnic Cuisine will be awarded by regions & countries at the judge's discretion. Judges will also award certificates of honorable mention and recipients in separate regions and countries as they see fit.

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.