East Coast Culinary Competition goes international

Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort, in association with the Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG) and the World Association of Chefs, will be hosting the third annual East Coast Culinary & Cocktail Competition on June 9 2014. For the first time, the event will accept global participants.

The hotel executive chef and ECG East Coast vice president K.A.C. Prasad said the event will be the third biggest culinary event in the UAE after Gulfood and Sial.

He told Caterer Middle East: “We’re very excited and working hard for our first international event.” The competition has grown since its inception in September 2012 with just five East Coast hotels and 80 participants. Last year, it played host to eight hotels with more than 150 participants.

He revealed this year’s competition expects to see around 500 participants, more than 100 senior chefs and 2000 visitors, along with more than 50 suppliers from the region. It comprises a total of 14 categories – more than in any previous year – including static displays, live cooking, pastry, artistic, bar & cocktail.

Prasad said these events are important for the industry to share culinary passion and knowledge, to learn from each other, to network with peers, and also provide an opportunity for vendors to promote their products under one roof and understand chefs’ needs.

He also dished out advice for the competitors: “You win or lose in any game; if you know you did your best you should be satisfied. Read the rules and regulations according to the class, do some ground work from previous competitions, and talk to your seniors.”