The Egyptian Chefs Association (ECA) has just returned from another successful edition of the Host Sharm Salon Culinaire'10. The show took place in conjunction with the popular Host Sharm Exhibition, held from 10 to 13 May at the Savoy Hotel.

In total, 79 chefs participated, the majority coming from various hotels located in Sinai, but also some chefs coming from as far away as Alexandria and Hurghada. Among them 49 chefs took part in the Salon Culinaire categories, while 30 talents participated in the live cooking events. Also at this year's show, the talented Culinary Ambassadors of Egypt dazzled attendants with their skillfully-crafted dishes and showpieces.

The ECA awarded in total four gold, six silver and 17 bronze medals at the Host Sharm Salon Culinaire'10, which was hosted by the Egyptian Group for Marketing and sponsored by Unilever Foodsolutions and Juhayna Food Industries. Whereas in past years the kitchen artists stole the show and most medals were awarded in the showpiece category, this year, many medals were also awarded to chefs participating in the plated desserts, plated starters and main course categories. Only missing this year were entrees in the tapas and petit fours category, due perhaps to the high level of skills and time they require. The ECA hopes to see more talents in those categories next year.

Alongside the Salon Culinaire, the Association organized, for the second year running, an expanded series of live cooking competitions which were well attended. They included: the popular Hot Pasta Dish Competition, sponsored by Hana Food Company; the Chicken Dish Competition, sponsored by Rowad Company for Food Industries; the Asian Cuisine Competition, sponsored by Watania for Trading & Distributing; and the Fruit & Vegetable Carving Competition, sponsored this year by Al-Qaswaa Co. for Trade and Supplies.

The Host Sharm exhibition was once again a great opportunity for the Association to meet its loyal members from the Sinai region and to update everyone in the hospitality industry on new developments. What better place than Sharm El Sheikh, then, to start spreading the word about the new International Chef's Apprenticeship, which will start off with first student enrollments by mid-September this year. While the program provides international certification, and therefore international recognition for student chefs, it also offers a means to improve, upgrade and certify the existing workforce though part-time study.

Finally, to help prepare participants for the upcoming National Salon Culinaire, the ECA will offer the Competition Training workshop in Cairo from 14 to 16 June as a gear-up to the Salon. The workshop will focus on the main components of food presentation from conceptual design to plate development including how to create a balance in color, shape, height and texture of the foods presented, as well as layout, serviceability and flow of the foods served; plate arrangement and decoration; functional and non-functional garnishes. Also techniques for glazing and slicing will be covered as well as a complete review of the WACS guidelines and rules and regulations of culinary competitions.

Medal Winner Host Sharm Salon Culinaire'10.
Congratulations!

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Gold Medal

Winners ECA Live Cooking Competitions at Host Sharm'10. Congratulations!

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Thank You Judges

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Thank You Sponsors & Contributors

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