Dubai, May 4, 2017: It was no surprise to see that this year’s Chaine competition was the event some chefs waited for with great anticipation. It’s gratifying to see that after just 3 years running this competition how popular it has become within the chef community here in the UAE.
13 competitors were competing at this prestigious black box competition at ICCA Dubai. At 12pm the competition briefing started headed by Chef Daniel with all chefs waiting anxiously for the unveiling of the mystery box which Chef Daniel put together.
After 30 minutes menu writing, the competitors started cooking with the ingredients from the mystery box which included chicken quarters, chicken liver, king prawns, Asian seabass , baby leek, tarragon , yams, risoni pasta, golden beetroot, raspberries , mangos, star anise and white chocolate.
Our kitchen judges kept a good eye on the chefs cooking skills as well as product use and wastage together with their hygiene and work flow. After the culinary creations the tasting judges were put to work marking on presentation, flavor and taste.
Following a post-competition debrief with the judges, the moment finally came that everybody was waiting for …. the announcement of the winner. The winner of the 3rd national competition and representing the UAE in the International competition in Frankfurt, Germany in September is Malimage Ishra Chamika Perera from the – Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek. In second place came Aprian Herlambang from Atlantis the Palm and the 3rd spot was won by Ali Salleh from the W Dubai Al Habtoor Hotel.
It was a great competition with a very good standard from all participants who also learnt a great deal during the event.
Thanks to Chef Uwe Micheel, Director of Kitchens- Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek, President of the Emirates Chefs Guild and Conseiller Culinaire of the Chaine in the UAE and Chef Daniel Hiltbrunner Conseiller Culinaire Honoraire from ICCA who organized this fantastic competition for young chefs in the UAE.
A big thank you goes to all the judges who made time to come and give their expertise as well as the sponsors, Barakat Quality Plus which provided us with all the fruit and vegetables for the mystery box and common table. Mitras International Trading for the great seafood, ELFAB CO and Barakat Qualiaty Plus provided the main ingredients and ICCA who gave us the facility and hosted the competition.
Vive la Chaine
Chef Daniel Hiltbrunner CMC
Conseiller Culinaire Honoraire
