The world’s largest annual single entry chef competition, the 23^nd Emirates International Salon Culinaire, will return from 3^rd -5^th March at Expo Centre Sharjah.  His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) will inaugurate the event at 11am on3^rd March.

The Emirates International Salon Culinaire is an annual event endorsed by Worldchefs and has strong support from many sponsors including Nestle and IFFCO for the 30 different categories (increased from 29 last year) which are judged and awarded according to the global standards of experienced master chefs.  Competitors are awarded with Gold, Silver or Bronze accreditation after detailed judging and feedback.

HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said: “Expo Culinaire is being hosted at Expo Centre Sharjah for the second year in a row; which reflects the great confidence that organizers have in the services that we offer. We are very keen to provide all facilities that would retain the status of this exhibition, which is a qualitative addition to the events hosted and organized by the centre”.

“This comes in line with the centre’s efforts being made to host different types of events and continue its upward trend to further advance the emirate’s growth and development, stimulate economic activities and enhance Sharjah’s positon as  a regional and international hub for leading exhibitions,” Al Midfa added.

He stressed the importance Expo Culinaire 2020, which will witness a wide range of training and educational activities and showcase all equipment and services related to the food supply sector. It would be an ideal opportunity for businessmen and investors to view the latest developments, conclude partnerships and contracts in the field of food and beverages, Al Midfa further said.

Abdelaziz Mohamed Shattaf, Assistant Director General for Members Services Sector at SCCI, Director of Sharjah Exports Development Center (SEDC), said: “This year’s edition, the SCCI will provide greater support for the success of this event as part of the Chamber’s keenness to support all efforts in the hospitality industry, which is one of Sharjah’s main qualities as a perfect destination for investment in this vital sector. To that end, the SCCI will further highlight the importance of this event and enhance its status by providing all forms of support to the participating and organized bodies.”

This would help boost the commercial movement, promote economic development in the Emirate of Sharjah, and strengthen its position on the map of the regional and global exhibition industry.

He shed light on the success of the previous edition of the ExpoCulinaire 2019 through hosting the world’s largest cooking competition “Emirates Salon Culinaire” for the first time in the Emirate of Sharjah.

“Once again, the Expo Centre Sharjah is hosting this mega event for the second consecutive year, something which underlines the Expo Centre’s status and eminent role in getting the public acquainted with cooking arts and upgrading quality standards in the hospitality and food industry, which is a dynamic sector in the UAE, ” he concluded.

Fresh off the plane from Stuttgart Germany, Chef Uwe Micheel, President of Emirates Culinary Guild, Assistant Vice President of Worldchefs and Director of Kitchens at Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek has just returned from the Culinary Olympics where the  UAE Team impressively won 21 Gold, 16 Silver, 8 Bronze medals and 1 Diploma. “The UAE has shown that our talents can challenge the best in the culinary world.  The Olympics runs every 4 years and this was the 100th anniversary of this incredible gathering.  To lead such a young team and be rewarded with so much recognition from the international culinary community, is very rewarding personally and professionally, I have dreamed of this moment for many years as President of the Guild for the past 20 years.  It was with pride to fly the UAE flag high” said Chef Uwe.  “Now we turn to ensuring that global benchmarks continue to be passed on to our own Emirates International Salon Culinaire competitors in ExpoCulinaire 2020.  This helps to underpin the strength and variety of talent in the UAE HoReCa and Hospitality sectors” he continued.

“The team has made us proud as a country and Culinary association for showing the quality the Emirates can do” said Guild Chairman Andy Cuthbert General Manager Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and Madinat Conference Centre, when asked about how he felt the competition contributed to the emirates Hospitality landscape. “The young chefs can be very proud of their achievement in Germany” he added.

The tourism and hospitality industry has established itself as a major amplifier of economic diversity in the UAE. It has been projected that the travel and tourism industry and according to government projections will contribute approximately AED312.4 billion to the UAE’s GDP by 2027.

A reflection of the above is the incredible 70% growth in size and company participation on only its 2^nd year.  “Sharjah continues to support the HoReCa sector and this year we welcome a pavilion powered by the SSCI.  The Chamber and Expo Centre Sharjah clearly want to see businesses grow and these active steps mean that Sharjah based companies will be sure to benefit directly” commented Joanne Cook, CEO of Purple Kitchen Events and Organizer of ExpoCulinare.  “All things kitchen – competition, art, education, demonstrations, products and services under one roof is the combination our attendees want to experience. ExpoCulinaire is already proving itself as the first choice for companies who want to meet their end users” she added.

Education and Training will also expand, reflecting the country’s commitment to creating and developing the field of gastronomy.  Free certificated Training and Education sessions will run again with even more classes on offer than 2019 and the expansion to 5 official education partners (Chef International Centre, Dubai College of Tourism, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, International Centre for Culinary Arts and Richmonte Masterbaker) will be accompanied by 3 other culinary schools so that a widest ever range of available courses can be explored by visitors.

Another new development is the Philippines pavilion organizer Filfood brining their specialized event alongside ExpoCulinaire.  The third Annual Filipino Food Industry Conference will focus on the theme “Grow Exponentially” in the run up to the Dubai Expo 2020, and attracts F&B operators and restaurant owners as they explore the exciting opportunities presented by the Greatest Show on Earth this October.

Breaking News! Hygiene Partner and advisor to several government health departments around the world – Ecolab-  have arranged to fly in an international expert to join a panel conference to discuss Hospitality Hygiene Protocols during a Health Crisis: safety with continuity for guests and businesses in the hospitality sector during virus outbreaks (using Covid-19 as a case study) on Wednesday 4^th March.  This will be a senior level gathering with Expert Presentation, Panel Session plus Q&A.

Updates on the full programme to follow shortly via Conference Media Partner Hospitality.com.

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hayley.mcgovern@purple-kitchen.com