Traditions of taste

With all eyes peeled and ears pricked for the World Expo bid announcement at the end of this month, Dubai is gearing up to host its first significant showcase for Emirati cuisine with the inaugural Dubai World Hospitality Championship (DWHC), held from Saturday to Monday.

A series of competitions will run over the three-day public affair at the Dubai World Trade Centre organised by Zaabeel Palace Hospitality, the World Association of Chefs Societies and the Emirates Culinary Guild, under the directive of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Due to the UAE’s primarily expatriate population and small proportion of Emiratis, the country’s cuisine, which so far has been mostly home-based and restricted to a handful of dedicated restaurants, is sadly often neglected in favour of the more popular and much-marketed Levantine cooking. Yet we need dishes other than slow-roasted lamb ouzi – such as fragrant chicken muchboos and delectable luqaimat doughnuts dipped in date syrup – to share the limelight.

Time to shine

So why this particular event for Emirati cuisine right now?

“Sheikh Mohammed suggested hosting the first such hospitality championship in the world,” explains Ahmed bin Hareb Al Falahi, the president of DWHC.

“Under his directive, the championship committee aims to introduce Emirati culture in a way never showcased before.

“We have held many workshops with local women’s associations to ensure their participation at the event.”

Up first is the Emirati competition, where 112 teams of UAE nationals, both professional chefs and home cooks, will be tasked to create authentic homemade local fare from a preselected menu of 96 dishes. Local food experts will judge for true representation, flavour and the use of all supplied ingredients.

Secondly, 12 country-specific teams from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, the UAE, the US and Wales will cook a five-course gourmet menu of traditional dishes for 50 guests, while vying for top honours from the judging committee.

Finally, a hospitality industry competition will see 700 chefs from 100 hotels and restaurants in the UAE battle it out.

New take on cuisine

The event will introduce a modern take on traditional Emirati dishes, says Al Falahi. “We think this championship will not only introduce our culture and heritage to the world, but also help Emiratis to modernise their own standards of preparing indigenous dishes. By collaborating with food experts and professional chefs from other nations, Emirati participants will expand their repertoire with new cooking methods and ­ingredients.”

Special guest judges for the international and industry competitions include chefs and instructors in the culinary arts, flying in from the US, Australia and the UK. Monetary prizes, in addition to certificates, medals and trophies, are up for grabs in all categories.

More to expect

Entrance to the event is free to the public, who can watch the competitions and taste the dishes, while the celebrity chefs Gary Rhodes, Osama Al Sayed and Khulood Atiq will also entertain visitors with cooking demonstrations. A heritage village will showcase local folk art, hospitality traditions and Emirati cooking ­techniques.

It is hoped the championship, which is expected to become an annual event, will finally draw Emirati cuisine out of hiding while making its mark on the international culinary map.

• The Dubai World Hospitality Championship runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre from Saturday to Monday. Entrance is free to the public. Visit www.dwhc.ae

Samantha Wood is the founder of the impartial restaurant review blog www.foodiva.net

artslife@thenational.ae