The Address proved its young chefs are full of culinary talent after teams from two of the brand’s Dubai hotels took home medals from the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Black Box Culinary Challenge.
Teams of junior chefs from 15 five-star Dubai hotels went head-to-head in the competition, which was held yesterday at Madinat Jumeirah.
The judges had announced the ‘black box’ of mystery ingredients — including Australian beef and lamb, as well as other items from international and local foodservice companies sponsoring the event — on the previous day (May 31), following which the three-man teams were given one hour to devise a four-course menu and submit their recipe sheets to the judges.
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Then on June 1, the teams returned for the real test: cooking their mystery box menu.
After an intense afternoon judging session, each of the 15 teams had to cook their four-course menu again — this time to serve to 30 people at yesterday evening’s competition finale banquet.
Each team served three tables of hungry guests in the Madinat’s Joharah Ballroom, after which the judges announced the winners.
The Address Downtown Dubai team emerged victorious, thanks to efforts from Daniel Edward, Manoj Chamara, Rikki Zulfikri and Farid on the culinary team, and Vincent Mafaity, Karin Moller, Dinesh Pitigalage and Intiajuddin Mondal on the service side.
Team captain Daniel Edward commented: “We’re extremely happy to have won the 2010 edition of the Black Box Culinary Challenge.
“I’d like to thank my team for their creativity and for putting their passion and dedication to achieve this amazing result. I also would like to thank Meat and Livestock Australia for providing us with this unique opportunity and for encouraging gastronomy innovation.”
The silver medal went to Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, and another Address team in third place — from the brand’s Dubai Marina hotel.
Emirates Academy head chef and senior lecturer Michael Kitts said he was delighted with the student team’s placing.
“To come in second place was totally mind blowing, considering the calibre of the competition,” he observed.
Executive pastry chef Martin Chiffers, from The Address Dubai Marina, added: “The MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge offers young chefs the opportunity to learn and develop their skills, and also encourages talented chefs to match their skills with the industry-best and gain a head start in their career.
“What was achieved by The Address Dubai Marina is a clear testament of the talents and creativity of our team of talented professionals.”
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