Top chefs to compete in Foodex Saudi’s culinary event

Resident chefs and culinary professionals of major hotels and restaurants have started preparing for Saudi Arabia’s first internationally recognized culinary competition. The contest is a major highlight of Foodex Saudi 2014, described as the Kingdom’s top F&B exhibition.
Taking place from Nov. 18-20 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events and organized by Foodex Saudi, Salon Culinaire will pit the creme of the Kingdom’s culinary talent against one another, with final dishes, prowess and creativity to be judged by an international panel of industry professionals.
Endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) and the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association (SARCA), the competition will feature chefs competing in 15 categories that range from five-course menus to novelty cakes, live cooking of signature dishes, carving competitions and the creation of decorative showpieces.
“Saudi Arabia has attracted world-leading chefs and talent for a number of years now, helping to elevate the fine dining establishments across the country. While they create culinary masterpieces daily that reflect their passion and skill, they have not competed against each other directly or publicly until now,” said Rony Haddad, show director, Reed Sunaidi Expo. “Salon Culinaire is FoodEx Saudi’s signature culinary showcase, designed to foster competition and highlight the best of the best within the culinary industry in the Kingdom.”
Chef Thomas Gugler, WACS’ continental director for MEA, said: “FoodEx Saudi provides the perfect platform for chefs to demonstrate their expertise to both their peers and the food industry. Competition is an excellent catalyst for raising benchmarks, and the international recognition of Salon Culinaire in Saudi Arabia encourages excellence in the industry.”
Foodex Saudi 2014 will run from Nov. 17-20 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events.