THE BEST BITS OF THE WORLDCHEFS CONGRESS 2022

Over 800 chefs competed in the 25th International Emirates Salon Culinaire at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), while more than 5,000 visitors attended the Expoculinaire and 1,723 international chefs and delegates were present at The Worldchefs Congress 2022.

This year’s edition paid tribute to the late Nouhad Dammous, a pioneer and respected figure in the world of hospitality. His daughter Randa Dammous Pharaon accepted the World Association of Chefs Societies President's Medal 2022 in his honor.

The Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG) celebrated the return of the Emirates Salon Culinaire (ESC), from May 20 until June 2, 2022. Held during Expoculinaire 2022 and the 39th Worldchefs Congress 2022, Purple Kitchen Events organized the event, which took place in an in-person format.

An international team of judges, led by ECG'S long-time head judge Otto Weibel, was invited to oversee the competitions. Other guests included former president of ECG Mike Lee and previous vice president Heinz Zuchelli, as well as the guild's president Uwe Micheel.

ADNEC was enhanced digitally with a live stream that broadcast the event globally. The competition welcomed over 500 chefs from the UAE, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In total, 33 competitions were held across all disciplines of the culinary arts, from practical cookery, static displays and Emirati cuisine to cake decorating and showpiece categories.

The award for Best Effort by an Individual Establishment went to Beach Palace Abu Dhabi, while Best Effort by a Corporation was awarded to EKFC Group. Chef Manoj Lasantha De Soysa of Shangri-la Hotel Abu Dhabi won the award for Best Pastry Chef and K.H.P. Madushanka was named Best Artist. Chef Mohamed Sheik Imran from At.mosphere Burj Khalifa was crowned Best Cuisinier.

The ESC is one of the largest culinary competitions in Africa and the Middle East region, and is also endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies. worldchefs.org