Devina Divecha talks to some of the judges at the Salon Culinaire competition at Gulfood, and finds out about their expectations from the participants

One of the most anticipated cooking competitions in the region — The Emirates Culinary Guild Salon Culinaire — plays host to more than thousands of chefs every year at Gulfood. Not just participants, but eager colleagues are at hand to witness the series of practical and display-based culinary competitions, entry to which is open to professional chefs, pastry chefs, cooks and bakers in the country.

For those who have not attended before: some of the competitions are designed for entry by a single competitor, while others are designed as team events. Each competition is called a class.

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Each class of the various competitions is intended to test the differing skills of entrants whilst also celebrating the preparation and presentation of food and its accoutrements in attractive and pleasing forms.

The team events are designed to test co-operative, gastronomic, and artistic skills. The practical cookery events test gastronomic and timing skills. Artistic and timing skills are required for the practical artistic events.

Competitors are judged by a panel of international judges, each one of whom is an approved international judge of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and certificates are awarded. In addition to the medal awards, there are special trophies awarded to individuals who have attained excellence at the competition in their particular field.

The competition is always a sight to behold — ice carvings live on the show floor, practical cooking demonstrations, pastry and chocolate creations that look visually stunning, and an endless series of beautifully plated food.

The competition has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception, where the first Salon Culinaire reportedly had only 70 participants. Compare that to now, when we see at least 1300 contestants… the culinary scene has exploded.

Last year, we spoke to the competitors in the ring. This year, we take a walk towards the other side of the fence, and have a chat with some of the judges, who tell us what they think about the five-day culinary extravaganza.

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