Hilton Worldwide announces F&B Masters finalists

Hilton Worldwide has announced the finalists of its 2013 annual F&B Masters, the annual competition that aims to celebrate culinary creativity and original mixology across the region.

Now in its third year, the event will be hosted at the newly-opened Conrad Dubai on November 13, with food and beverage teams representing Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort and Hilton Durban in South Africa; and mixologists representing Conrad Cairo in Egypt, Hilton Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Hilton Seychelles Northholme Resort & Spa, and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, UAE all competing for the culinary crown.

Their creations will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges led by Knud Bundgaard, culinary director for Hilton Worldwide MEA, before the overall winners are announced at the exclusive evening awards ceremony.

Hilton Worldwide MEA vice president, food & beverage Simon Lazarus said: “For the third year running, we are delighted to bring together our F&B teams to showcase their extraordinary talents and give new audiences an insight into food and beverage creativity at Hilton’s Middle East and Africa hotels.

“Every year, the submissions continue to surpass our expectations and this year we will have a particularly exciting competition with participants representing seven properties and five different countries. Each year the competition gets bigger and better and this year’s competition promises to be the best yet,” he added.

Judged on taste, composition, service practicality, presentation and consistency, competing chefs, service team members and mixologists, will recreate and serve their qualifying dish or beverage during round one of the finals. During round two, each competing team will be presented with a ‘black box’ full of unknown ingredients and using their originality, gastronomic flair and service skills, contestants must use the mystery ingredients to create a masterpiece that will wow the judges and outshine the efforts of their challengers.

Finalists will be invited to reveal their creations in front of an audience of some of Dubai’s best known industry experts and social figures, as well as the all-important judging panel, who will deliberate and crown the 2013 F&B Masters’ winners.