Dubai World Hospitality Championship Announces Fixture for International Competition

12 International Teams to Compete at the Three-Day Event

Dubai-UAE: 09 November, 2013 – The Dubai World Hospitality Championship organised by Za'abeel Palace Hospitality under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, held a public draw at the Global Village to finalise fixtures for the International Competition.

The opening day of the Championship will witness top chefs from Germany, Russia, Brazil and Canada pitting their culinary skills against one other, while day-two will bring Wales, Hong Kong, South Africa and Slovenia to the competition arena. The third and concluding day will witness Australia, US, Singapore and the UAE contending for the honours.

His Excellency Ahmed bin Hareb Al Falahi, President of Dubai World Hospitality Championship, said: “This event is the first of its kind in the hospitality sector in the region. The prevailing buoyant mood of this sector in Dubai triggered by the corresponding growth in the tourism and real estate sectors call for an event of global magnitude that positions the emirate on the international hospitality map. The DWHC is the first significant step towards showcasing the UAE and its rich and varied culinary traditions.

“Every aspect of the competition has been organised with extreme care to ensure maximum convenience to the participants and ensure they have a memorable time. Our decision to host the draw at Global Village in public view is to reassure the participants and visitors of the transparency and authenticity of the championship.”

As part of the International Competition, participating teams will prepare a five-course gourmet menu for judges and 54 seated guests. The dishes will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of national and international judges following strict guidelines set out by the World Association of Chefs. Apart from the taste and texture of the food, the judges' decision will also be based on the quality of mise-en-place, hygiene and presentation of the food.

The quality of service, although not part of the evaluation process, is an important aspect of the competition. Waiters are expected to be in appropriate uniform and welcome guests as they would in their hotels or places of work. Following each evaluation, judges will hold a debriefing session to explain the rationale behind their decisions regarding each competitor, giving the event a truly global flavour.

All facilities, from air transport and hotel accommodation for the participants to equipment and ingredients for the competition have been arranged in advance by the organisers. The participants will, however, be allowed a dedicated kitchen space at their respective hotels to prepare their mise-en-place, which will then be transported to the venue in refrigerated carriers.    

The inaugural event of the Dubai World Hospitality Championship (DWHC) is set to take place from the 16-18 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The International Competition is one of the key categories of the DWHC that also includes the Emirati and Hospitality Sector Competitions. Over 700 professional and amateur chefs will demonstrate their artistic and aesthetic competencies at the Championship, which will also feature a Heritage and Hospitality Exhibition to welcome the visitors.

The championship committee invites everyone to visit www.dwhc.ae/visit to register for a complimentary badge and entering a raffle draw for a chance to win the Lexus LX 570 SUV luxury car.