Junior and experienced chefs competed in the event on June 1 and 2, which was organised by Emirates Culinary Guild and the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS). Junior and experienced chefs competed in the event on June 1 and 2, which was organised by Emirates Culinary Guild and the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS).

Chefs gathered at Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah, last week for the fifth International East Coast Salon Culinaire & Cocktail Competition, at which the hosts won 35 trophies.

Junior and experienced chefs - from hotels, restaurants, Emirates Fight Catering and Sharjah Ladies Club - competed in the event on June 1-2, which was organised by Emirates Culinary Guild and the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS).

The competition attracted more than 350 chefs (based in the UAE, Slovenia, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia), twenty F&B suppliers, 32 international and local judges, 40 International and local marshals, and more than 1,500 visitors.

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It has grown from a local to an international event, over the past five years since it was launched by Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort director of culinary Kac Prasadat, who is also vice president of the Culinary Guild of the East Coast.

“It all started by an idea of how to motivate chefs to shake up things in the kitchen, to give them the opportunity to break the monotony of their daily routine jobs, and it ended up by giving the whole east coast this wonderful opportunity,” said Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort area general manager and area development manager Ashraf Helmy. 

Click here to see photos from the event

Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort won 35 trophies, including the coveted Championship Trophy, as well as three gold awards; 14 silver awards; 15 bronze awards; Best Kitchen Artist; and Best Tapas Finger Food & Canapés.

Other regional highlights included Al Jawaher Reception & Convention winning Best Pastry Chef Best Bread Loaves & Showpiece; InterContinental Dubai Marina winning Best Wedding Three Tier Cake; Sharjah Ladies Club winning Best Arabic Chef and Best Three Plates of Desserts Arabic; and Le Meridien Al Aqah being a runner up in the Best Three Course Cheese & Vegetarian Menu category.

“It is really an honour to host such a prestigious venue. I am so proud that Miramar have started such a great event and now watching it grow every year attracting the attention of our colleagues in the industry as well as the media and partners," Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort area general manager and area development manager Ashraf Helmy commented.