EAHM scoops high tea title

The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management team (EAHM) has been proclaimed winner of the first Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge held in the UAE.

Judges reviewed more than 120 tea-inspired, high tea dishes plus 75 cups and glasses of tea, tea cocktails and 'mocktails' over the two-day challenge.

Having secured the title of ‘Dubai winner’ in the qualifying rounds earlier this month, the EAHM team comprising Michael Kitts and Haresh Mohinani battled it out against Abu Dhabi’s heat finalist St Regis Saadiyat Island to claim the coveted title.

Those competing were required to understand the terroir of tea from different regions, demonstrate their understanding of brewing and research and analyse tea pairing with food.

The teams were also asked to use tea as an ingredient in their high tea presentations, while judges rewarded those elements deemed original and insightful.

World Association of Chefs’ Societies judges Bernd Uber and Uwe Micheel and tea judge Dilhan C. Fernando –  son of the founder and director of Dilmah, Merrill J Fernando – chose the winner at the event.

The global competition, endorsed by World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) and supported by Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG), the UAE’s association of professional chefs, aims to put the focus of the high tea tradition back on tea.

The Middle East winners will go through and compete in a global final held next year.

“The Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge goes beyond a brand and beyond a high tea event as it aims to craft appeal for tea. My family’s quest is to share our love for tea and encourage a new generation to celebrate tea, whilst benefiting from its natural goodness,” said Dilhan Fernando.