11:00: Good morning Gulfoodies! It's the fourth and final day of the show, and time for Hotelier Middle East to make one lucky reader's day. Yes, it's time to announce the winner of our February competition. 

We received dozens of entries for this month's great giveaway: Spinneys voucher worth AED 2000 (US $545) courtesy of Scottish Development International.

Readers were asked to answer the question: What is the capital of Scotland? The answer, of course, is Edinburgh and the winner is...  Joy Samia, executive secretary, responsible business coordinator at Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah. Congratulations Joy, we hope you enjoy your Spinneys shopping spree. 

Story continues below
Advertisement

11:30: The group ice-carving event at Salon Culinaire has kicked off. It promises to be a tough competition and features the Dusit Thani's gold medal winner from the individual class. Pictures to follow shortly.

1pm: You wouldn't know it's the last day of Gulfood - the Caterer stand is still packed with people signing up for subscriptions to the region's number one magazine for F&B professionals. No sign of slowing down!

1.07pm: SPOTTED - Omar Shihab, manager at Caffe Florian DIFC, at the Caterer stand checking out the design showcase of his restaurant in the February issue.

 2.06pm: James heads off to the food safety conference which runs until 4pm (check back then for breaking news!) while Ryan Godhino, national coordinator of the UAE Barista Championship, calls by the stand to let us know this year the UAE Coffee Festival will also be hosting a heat of the World Latte Art championships.

3.05pm: Aidan Coleman, CEO of Bega Cheese, says that it is good business sense to adhere to food safety standards. "It is about providing your customers with confidence in your products," he says. "People won't return to a restaurant that they don't have confidence in."

4.21pm: Brian Ballinger general manager of Heidi Chef Solutions says the show was so successful this year that they will up its 100sq metre stand by 50% for Gulfood 2013.

5pm: Gulfood has officially closed for 2012. See you next year!