International Culinary Challenge to start on September 5

International Culinary Challenge 2016 by Hotel Asia – the largest trade exhibition and culinary competition of its kind in Maldives - is scheduled to begin next Monday.

The event is organized by Maldives Exhibition and Conferences Service (MECS), and will be judged by World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).

Project Director and Chief Judge, Alan Palmer - who is part of the panel of internationally certified judges, international award winning chefs and leading experts in the industry that will be judging the competition – said that approximately 516 chefs would be participating in the event – all of whom work in Maldivian resorts and hotels.

Palmer said that dishes will be prepared in 20 categories.

One of the organizers of the event said that prizes included The Alan Palmer Challenge Trophy and USD 750 to the winner of Best Culinary Establishment, a return ticket to

Singapore and the opportunity to participate in a training program by Chefs Association of Singapore for the Tea Challenge Winner, return ticket and three-night stay at a hotel in Singapore for Most Outstanding Chef, and an all-expense-paid two-night trip to Sri Lanka for the Outstanding Pastry Chef.

He said that the best local chef would be awarded with a return ticket to Malaysia and a two-night stay at a luxury hotel in the country.

This is but a few of the awards.

The exhibition that comes with the culinary challenge will include products related to the field of tourism and hospitality form 17 countries, showcased in 172 stalls by 116 companies.

The International Culinary Challenge will be held at Dharubaaruge from September 5 to 7, from 10 am to 7 pm.

The main sponsor for the event is Bestbuy Maldives, and it is endorsed by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Economic Development and Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This year’s event will also introduce a series of seminars and masterclasses – also to be held in Dharubaaruge.