Dubai World Hospitality Championship opens at DWTC

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum yesterday inaugurated the pilot edition of the Dubai World Hospitality Championship (DWHC) at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The show is now set to run until November 18, with the DWHC designed to promote the UAE as a strategic destination for hospitality and fine food. Over the three day event, more than 700 international and regional culinary professionals and connoisseurs will vie for the ultimate honours at the prestigious championship that offers an aggregate of AED 6 million (US $1.63 million) as prize money.

The opening ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Ahmed bin Hareb Al Falahi, president of DWHC, and His Excellency Juma Al Majid, the chairman of Juma Al-Majid Group.

His Excellency Ahmed bin Hareb Al Falahi, president of DWHC, said: “It is with great pride and honour that I welcome you on behalf of Za'abeel Palace Hospitality to this inaugural edition of the Dubai World Hospitality Championship, a mega culinary event unlike any the region has yet witnessed. Over the next 84 hours, you will not only encounter some of the finest moments in global culinary history, but also experience the timeless magic of true Emirati hospitality in all its myriad hues.”

“The DWHC is the actualization of the unique vision of an exceptional visionary, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. It was His Highness who envisaged an event that would embody the spirit of the UAE as the emerging global hospitality hub - an event that would be uncompromisingly cosmopolitan in its outlook while rooted firmly in our rich culture – the Emirati culture which is as enduring as the desert sands,” he added.

Organised by Za’abeel Palace Hospitality under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the first-of-its-kind competition comprises three separate categories including the International Competition, the Hospitality Sector Competition and the Emirati Competition.

The Emirati segment represents the core element of DWHC, offering visitors kaleidoscopic snapshots of Emirati hospitality at the Culture and Heritage Village that greets them at the venue.

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His Excellency Ahmed bin Hareb Al Falahi’s speech was followed by a presentation that told the story of Dubai’s transition over the decades by the girl students of Latifah Bi Nad Al Shiba School, Dubai.

Shabad Al Watan Group from Ajman livened up the occasion with ‘Yola’, a regional folk dance, which was followed by a ‘Tuminah’ – a ritual where children dressed in traditional Emirati attire recited verses from the Holy Qur’an.

Guests were also given a glimpse of a traditional Emirati wedding by Shamel Association for Folk Arts and Culture.

Following the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took a tour of the venue, interacting with the guests and participants.

Ahead of the competitions, 12 teams of renowned culinary experts from around the world have converged in Dubai to compete in the International Competition and prepare a pre-planned five-course buffet menu.

The opening day of the Championship will witness top chefs from Germany, Russia, Brazil and Canada pitting their culinary skills against one another, while day two will bring Wales, Hong Kong, South Africa and Slovenia to the competition arena. The third and concluding day will witness Australia, US, Singapore and the UAE contending for top honours.