The Excellent Service Award (EXSA) is Singapore's only nationally recognised service award dedicated to food and beverage, organised by the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS). Now in its 32nd year, it honours the people on the floor who turn a good meal into a great one.
EXSA gives frontline staff a credential worth working towards, and gives operators a meaningful way to recognise, and keep, their best people.
Employers nominate their own staff. Since 2026, every nominee completes a service design workshop developed with Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), and the very best are assessed in person by mystery judges. It is the industry's public thank you for the work guests see, and the work they never notice.
Employers put forward the frontline staff who consistently go beyond the job.
Every nominee completes a four hour workshop on customer centric service design, delivered with NYP.
Nominations are reviewed against the EXSA criteria. Superstar finalists also receive two unannounced visits from mystery judges.
Winners and their employers are honoured together at the annual EXSA ceremony.
Every award is earned on evidence from real guests, and each level asks a little more than the last. One Superstar is crowned each year, with S$2,500 worth of prizes.
Consistent service excellence, the foundation of hospitality. For frontline staff with at least a year in the role and a verified guest review.
Exceptional service backed by strong, consistent guest feedback. The same requirements as Silver, with stronger evidence.
Outstanding service with a clear impact on the guest experience, shown through compelling nominations.
The highest honour. Chosen from recent Star and Gold winners, nominated by their employers and assessed on site by two mystery judges.
For Maria, a memorable meal starts with making guests feel at ease.
Twelve years in hotel and restaurant service, from Saltwater at Village Hotel Changi to the resort dining rooms of Sentosa, have made her a regular EXSA recipient and an FEO Service Champion three years running. At Native Kitchen she is known for how she looks after families: patient with young children and quick to keep orders flowing, so parents can finally relax.
She coaches her team the same way, to read what guests need and to look out for one another. Native Kitchen's recognition as a Kindness Champion outlet in the Singapore Kindness Movement reflects the culture she helps build.
Every company that put its people through EXSA in 2026, with the Silver, Gold and Star awards each team took home. Thank you for investing in service.
More than 1,000 guests filled the Nanyang Polytechnic auditorium on 1 October to cheer on this year's honourees, with SPS Shawn Huang of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Manpower as guest of honour.
Frontline service staff in Singapore's food and beverage businesses, put forward by their employer. Silver asks for at least a year in a frontline role and a verified guest review. Gold and Star ask for stronger evidence.
Register your interest below and the RAS team will send you the nomination pack when the next cycle opens. Nominations are submitted and managed online through the EXSA Training Portal.
Yes. Since 2026, every nominee completes a four hour workshop on customer centric service design, developed and delivered with Nanyang Polytechnic.
Companies nominate one recent Star or Gold winner for each of their brands. RAS shortlists the finalists, each finalist is visited unannounced by two mystery judges, and one Superstar is crowned at the ceremony.
In 2026, Superstar nominations opened in June and the ceremony took place on 1 October. Register your interest and we will send the 2027 dates as soon as they are confirmed.
Jared Chan, Manager, Programmes and Partnerships, at jared.chan@ras.org.sg. He looks after EXSA from nominations to the ceremony.
Tell us about your business and the RAS Secretariat will send you the nomination details as soon as they open.
Leave your details and we will add you to the list for the next cycle.
The criteria, timeline and forms arrive in your inbox the day nominations open.
Bring your team to the ceremony and share the recognition with your guests.
