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Doha: The much-anticipated Salon Culinaire competition, a staple attraction at Hospitality Qatar (HQ), returns this year with record number of participants and categories expected to excite culinary professionals and enthusiasts in Doha.
For the fifth consecutive time, Qatar Culinary Professionals (QCP) association is teaming up with IFP Group, organisers of HQ 2019, for the competition which saw a huge success last year. A total of 315 culinary professionals from 50 hotels and restaurants across the country competed in 27 categories last year, but this year is a record-breaking edition according to the organisers.
“As of today, we have reached a record 412 professional competitors compared to previous years, which means the demand is getting higher and higher we can easily claim that this will be one of the best culinary festival days in Qatar,” said Chef Baran Yucel, Chairman of QCP at a recent press conference to announce the fifth edition of HQ.
Salon Culinaire 2019 also marks another breakthrough with an increase in the number of competition categories.
“This year is the first time that we have reached 34 categories which is not easy at all, that to support the categories we have to invite 14 international judges who are all professionals and who will be working with us continuously for three days to judge in the highest level,” said Yucel.
He highlighted that “like in the previous years, we have paid extra attention on Qatari cuisine and local food production. Competitors will cook Qatari dishes and desserts and the jury will select the best and most authentic creation.”
Qatari cuisine will be a focus at the competition with categories like Qatari Feast and Qatari Dessert, in addition to new categories which also highlight cuisines of other cultures including Filipino, Thai and Indian Live Cooking Cuisine Challenges.
Among the other new categories that culinary contestants will compete on this year are Sushi Platter, Live Cooking Signature Dish (Streetfood Sanwich/Wrapped Sandwich), Signature Dish-Best Biryani, Live 3D Novelty Cake, Sugar and Pastry Showpiece.
Supported by World Association of Chefs Societies for African and the Middle East, Salon Culinaire 2019 is set to witness professional chefs, bartenders, and baristas representing leading local and international Hotel/Restaurant/Café (HORECA) brands bring their best skills to the table through a series of competitions across 34 mouthwatering categories including live cooking and showcase pieces.
With the participation of 212 exhibitors from 33 countries, Hospitality Qatar 2019 will run from November 12 to 14 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
