Culinary artists from leading hotels aim to take top
spots in the Hospitality Sector Competition
[UAE,
September 20, 2014] – Dubai World Hospitality
Championship 2014 (DWHC), the latest prominent event positioning Dubai as a
leading international destination for hospitality and industry, has started
organizing a series of UAE-wide workshops to promote its Hospitality Sector
Competition, one of the main features of this year’s cycle. These workshops
will increase more awareness on the competition and the Hospitality Sector
category in particular as well as encourage the participation of professional
chefs while providing full details on the guidelines, controls and standards.
The workshop also looks towards answering all queries related to the event and
register chefs wishing to take part in the competition. The workshop sessions
have drawn in an overwhelming response and have seen a wide participation of
chefs coming from both local and international hotels and restaurants.
The road show that was concluded recently
in DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island
Ras Al Khaimah, was attended by several high-level officials, including members
of the DWHC committee, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and
representatives from the Emirates Culinary Guild. The workshop featured a
series of activities and presentations about DWHC’s events and main
competitions, including the Hospitality Sector Competition targeting renowned
chefs, restaurants, hotels, and hospitality facilities.
The agenda also included a detailed
presentation on the 21 categories of the Hospitality Sector Competition which
range from cake decoration to the preparation of Arabic dishes. The workshop
team explained the arbitration criteria, rules and regulations and replied to
audience inquiries on subjects like cooking duration, materials to be used per
category, presentation, quantity of food to be cooked, supplies and equipment
that can be brought in by competitors, and what food can be pre-prepared.
Creativity and Innovation
Majid Al Marri, Operations Director of Hospitality
Sector and International Competition, stated: “Increasing the categories in the
Hospitality Sector Competition from last year’s 14 to 21 has doubled the
challenge for the participating chefs. The contestants will have to qualify
based on various judging criteria and regulations such as taste, method of
preparation, course of time elapsed, quantity of food, presentation, cleanliness,
color, smell and consistency.
“Increasing the categories of the competition was a
deliberate and meticulously studied step. We want the second cycle of the
championship to reflect the status of Dubai as a leading hospitality
destination as well as presenting the talents and abilities of participating
chefs to the audience,” Al Marri added.
“The 21 categories include cake decoration,
preparation of three-layer wedding cakes, display pastries and desserts,
display bakery, chocolate sculpting, fruits and vegetables sculpting,
open presentation, four dishes of Arabic sweets, a dinner menu of five dishes,
a menu of four vegetarian dishes, finger food appetizers and snacks,
petit-fours with chocolate, Arabic wedding banquet, Emirati cuisine, fish and
seafood, meat and cooking, an Arabic main course dish, individual ice
sculpting, and collective ice sculpting,” said Al Marri.
In addition, Jenan Bader AlFassam, Hospitality Sector
& International Competition Coordinator said: “The Hospitality Sector
Competition opens numerous opportunities for qualified chefs and specialist
staff enabling them to achieve individual records and significant milestones.
We are highly optimistic about a strong participation in this cycle compared to
last year's with an approximate of a 1,000 participating chefs. Chefs working
in leading local, regional and international hospitality facilities can be part
of DWHC's platform to elevate their abilities and creativity in various
categories of the competition."
Josephine Cuthbert from the Emirates Culinary Guild
(ECG) showcased an introductory presentation on critical points regarding the
health and food safety standards that are necessary for the chefs to oblige by
in the competitions in order to get the highest ratings.
Farah Al Yasi, Head of Destination Development and Events at the
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “We are
delighted with the overwhelming response that the workshop has received from
leading tourism facilities, restaurants and hotels in Ras al-Khaimah, which
reflects their high confidence in the rapidly growing industry in the emirate.
The workshop falls in line with our commitment to raise the bar on RAK’s
hospitality sector by encouraging local chefs, especially nationals, to
participate in this year’s Dubai World Hospitality Championship to display
their culinary innovative solutions. Their participation will serve as the
starting point to a promising career. We would like to commend the unparalleled
efforts of all supporters, sponsors and organizers of the championship which
aims to promote the local hospitality culture worldwide.”
Wide Participation with Competitive Atmosphere
Majed Al Sabagh, Head Chef - Banquet & Hospitality
at the Sharjah Ladies Club, said: “The overwhelming response from chefs from
all over the world to participate in the hospitality sector workshop is
expected. The availability of the vast global platform will enable them to
display their creative culinary abilities in front of the audience and a
prominent jury. This makes Dubai World Hospitality Championship the perfect
destination for professional chefs and experts.”
On his part, Levent Karahan, Executive Chef at the
Marjan Island Resort, said: “This is my first participation at the championship
and I am eager to excel in the five course category. This is what I always
dreamed of doing; to succeed on a large scale in the hospitality sector.”
Promising Opportunities
“The Hospitality Sector Competition is an important
event as it opens new horizons for the chefs and professionals in the
hospitality sector as a whole. Participants can advance in their career through
distinct achievements in the culinary and hospitality fields. The inaugural
2013 cycle attracted strong participation and gathered prominent chefs from
around the world, which is why we are optimistic that the 2014 show will
attract around 1,000 chefs, with strong presence of local and international
chefs who are looking forward to highlight their talents and creativity in
various categories at the Dubai World Hospitality Championship,” concluded Al
Marri.
Al Marri extended his thanks to Ras Al Khaimah Tourism
Development Authority and DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island
for hosting the workshops. He also applauded the role of public and private
sector entities in supporting national events that aim at positioning the UAE
as a global hub for innovation and excellence. Al Marri invited the workshop
attendees to participate in the second cycle of the DWHC which will feature a
wide array of competitions, interactive workshops, and activities promoting the
heritage and culture of the UAE and GCC. Al Marri added that the registration
for the Hospitality Sector Competition ends on October 15, 2014.
Non-stop Growth
Dubai World Hospitality Championship has seen a change
in its number of categories, with newer additions included to make the
competition more exciting. The 21 categories featured at this year’s
championship includes cake decoration; creation of three-tiered wedding cake;
pastries and desserts display; baked goods display; chocolate sculptures;
fruits and vegetables sculpture; open display; preparation of four dishes of
Arabic sweets; preparation of a five dinner dishes; preparation of a menu of
four vegetarian dishes; appetizers and snacks; creation of petit-fours with
chocolate; preparation of a banquet for Arabic wedding; single sculpture
singles on ice; teamwork sculpture on ice; cooking of traditional Arabic
appetizers; Emirati kitchen; fish and seafood; meat cooking; and preparation of
Arabic main dishes.
A set of standards and guidelines have been adopted in
line with the best practices within the global hospitality sector. The
implementation of these rules are aimed at consolidating the country's position
as an international centre in service, standards & quality and to highlight
UAE hospitality on the world map; providing best experiences and rehabilitating
national human resources for creativity in this industry. Winners of the
Hospitality Sector Competition will be chosen by a selected jury that includes
members of "The Emirates Culinary Guild," and "World Association
of Chefs Societies", while cash prizes have been allocated to the winners
of the first places in each category. The arbitration process to be followed
for competitions in DWCH 2014 is based on several criteria, most notably taste,
method of preparation, time, the amount of food, method of presentation and
cleanliness, color, smell and creativity. Smart electronic devices equipped
with a specially designed application for smart arbitration will be used.
Remarkable Achievements
This cycle of Dubai World Hospitality
Championship will continue the momentum of the initial cycle in 2013, which has
seen tremendous success crowned by the presence of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai;
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; a
number of senior government figures and ministers, during the events and
activities of the Championship. DWHC has seen three record achievements for
Dubai entered into the Guinness Book of World Records, which includes the
setting up of the largest "Achar" in the world (weighing 1579 kg);
the largest amount of Porridge Chicken "Asida" in the world (weighing
2854.45 kg) and the largest Chocolate Truffle in the world in the logo of Expo
2020 (measuring at 404 meters).
Festival of Culture and Heritage
DWHC 2014 has a wide range of activities and events
for our participants and visitors. Activities include the Hospitality
Exhibition; UAE Celebrities Competition; Celebrity Chefs Program; UAE
Innovative Team, Heritage Village; the Majlis and UAE Hospitality; Traditional
Crafts; Folklore Arts; Kids Corner. The tournament will highlight
participants’ technical skills in decorating their food creations and preparing
their home-made local products. The cooking shows featuring professional chefs
will teach guests with new skills to equip them with different ways of
preparing Arabic and International cuisines. The audience is also expected to
enjoy a series of traditional and heritage presentations that are relevant to
the exhibition.
The
activities of the second cycle of Dubai World Championship Hospitality is being
held under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Board, in cooperation
with "World Association of Chefs Societies," "The Emirates
Culinary Guild". The tournament aims to encourage visitors and residents
to take an interest in Emirati hospitality in line with the ambitious objectives of positioning
the UAE as one of the leading international centres of high-level hospitality
services.
