The inaugural Masala! Lifestyle Awards were held on Friday, December 5, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai.

This was the first-ever awards ceremony of its kind celebrating the success of Asians in the United Arab Emirates. More than 600 especially-invited guests attended the awards ceremony.

Seven eminent men and women formed the independent jury panel which nominated, researched, discussed and then voted in a secret ballot.

The judges included Padma Coram, Managing Partner of The Talent Brokers; Mahesh Tourani, Director of Indigo Properties; Sabina Khandwani, Head of PR and Marketing of BurJuman; Shamira Mitha, Director, Special Projects of Spatality; Amit Radia, Managing Director of Atlas Printing Press; Sheeraz Hasan, founder of Hollywood.TV and Dubai.TV; and Anil Bhoyrul, Editorial Director of ITP Executive.

Their decision was final in all categories, except the Popular Choice Awards, which were voted online at www.masala.com.

Indian television and film celebrity Aman Verma and local radio and television star Tia Singh hosted the awards ceremony.

Interspersed by Bollywood-style entertainment and a special performance by Dubai-based Bollywood performer Sukhbir, the evening honoured some of the UAE’s best known – and most respected – men and women.

Following is the list of winners:

CATEGORY: ENTREPRENEUR

Young Achiever In Business – Male: Nilesh Ved

Young Achiever In Business – Female: Jayshree Gupta

Businessman Of The Year: Micky Jagtiani

Businesswoman Of The Year: Renuka Jagtiani

Asian-Owned Business With Most Global Impact: Sunny Varkey

Special Recognition Award: Ram Baxani

CATEGORY: FASHION & JEWELLERY

Best Asian Designer (Clothes): Ayesha Depala

Best Asian Designer (Jewellery): Leena Suri

Best Asian Store (Clothes): Samsaara

Best Asian Store (Fabric): Bareeze

Best Asian Store (Jewellery): Joy Alukkas and Al Liali (tie)

CATEGORY: HUMANITARIAN

Best Charity Organisation: Valley Of Love

Best Charity Initiative (Corporate): Apparel Group (Autism awareness)

Best Charity Initiative (Individual/Group): Matthew Vargehese

CATEGORY: RESTAURANT

Best Asian Restaurant: Iz

Best Asian Restaurant: Kabab Factory

Best Asian Restaurant: Bombay Chowpatty

Best Asian Restaurant (Décor): INDEGO

Best Chef: Sanjeev Kapoor (Options)

CATEGORY: LIFESTYLE

Best Asian-Owned Salon: Sasha’s

Artist Of The Year: Preeti Pawani

Best Asian Event Organiser: Jyoti Karmali

Face Of The Year: Sukhbir

CATEGORY: POPULAR CHOICE

Best TV Presenter: Nadia Khan for Nadia Khan Show (GEO)

Best Radio Channel: 101.6

Best TV Channel: NDTV

Best Radio Jockey: Krittika (101.6)

Best Asian Concert: A.R. Rahman

Best Asian Club night: Kandy Club (Tribe @ Crowne Plaza Hotel)

Box Office Star 2008 (Male): Aamir Khan

Box Office Star 2008 (Female): Katrina Kaif

UAE Box Office Favourite 2008: Taare Zameen Par