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The Egyptian Chefs Association (ECA) once again took center stage at the 45th International Exhibition for Hotel Supplies and Tourism Establishments—HACE 2025, held from 7–9 October.
This year’s edition was nothing short of spectacular, with live cooking competitions and interactive culinary demos that drew chefs, industry professionals, and food enthusiasts from across Egypt and beyond.
Over the three-day event, the ECA organized ten live cooking competitions, featuring more than 180 chefs who showcased their creativity and technical mastery. The competitions were hosted in state-of-the-art kitchens equipped with premium tools and appliances from Ozti and International Cool Center, ensuring a professional stage worthy of the country’s finest culinary talent.
The results spoke for themselves:
78 medals awarded — including 6 gold, 29 silver, and 43 bronze — recognizing the remarkable achievements of Egypt’s vibrant chef community.
Adding prestige to the event, an international panel of judges joined from Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Egypt, alongside Chef Thomas A. Gugler, the Outgoing President of Worldchefs and one of the world’s most respected culinary authorities, who attended as Guest of Honour.
The ECA extends its heartfelt appreciation to the generous sponsors of the live cooking competitions—Almera, Al Safy Foods, Dixie Mills, Emkay Foods, Juhayna, Maxim Foods, Rehana, and US Meat—for their invaluable contributions and continued support of Egypt’s culinary community.
Notably, Al Safy Foods and Juhayna each sponsored two competitions, underscoring their ongoing commitment to culinary excellence and professional development in the industry.
Two competitions captured particular attention:
Best Young Chef of the Year
A celebration of Egypt’s rising culinary stars, this competition saw over 20 young chefs (with assistants, totaling 40 participants) compete passionately for the top honors. The event not only highlighted raw talent but also reaffirmed ECA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of chefs. 12 medals were awarded in total.
As Sherif Ehab, Marketing Manager of Green Meadows Food Industries Group – Mainz, the sponsor of the competition, noted:
“These competitions help us engage with young chefs, who are the future. It’s a checkpoint for us—to see how our products perform in real kitchens and to identify challenges we can solve. It’s a cornerstone for us.”
Plated Dessert Competition
Sweet artistry took center stage as pastry chefs competed to craft visually stunning and technically refined desserts. Nine medals were awarded, with the top three winners earning silver and bronze distinctions. The creativity and precision displayed reinforced Egypt’s growing reputation for world-class pastry craftsmanship.
Seven restaurants joined this year’s Restaurant Competition, with Osteria Restaurant emerging as the overall winner, earning a silver medal and the coveted trophy. Pier 88 followed closely with second place and another silver medal.
Chef Ahmed Ramadan, Executive Chef of Osteria, shared his pride:
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire Egyptian Chefs Association — its president, team, and everyone working behind the scenes, many of whom I may not even know personally. I truly appreciate their efforts in bringing the competitions to such a high level.
“This year’s competition was organized to perfection. Everything was clear, professional, and fair. I’m especially proud of my young junior chef team—they proved their talent and potential. The ECA keeps raising the bar, year after year.”
Chef Amir Osama, gold medalist in the Pasta Competition, praised the experience:
“This year’s competitions were on another level. The organization, kitchens, and materials were top-notch. What stood out most was how the ECA empowered young chefs to take part in organizing—it was a great learning experience.”
Chef Omar Tarek, gold medalist in the Best Steak Competition, shared his story:
“I was initially on the waiting list, then got accepted just ten days before. HACE always helps me improve, discover new trends, and meet great chefs. This year’s cooking demos were a highlight.”
The Culinary Demos Zone made a powerful comeback at HACE 2025, featuring 11 live demonstrations over three days. Supported by KraftHeinz, Juhayna, Hero, and Al Monairy Holding, with equipment from Contrade Center and CookKing, the stage became a dynamic hub for creativity and collaboration.
Renowned local and international chefs, including Heyam Abdelhadi, Martin Rodriguez, Corentin Royer, Artem Vasylevych, Farah El Charkawy, Karim Abdelrahman, Salma Saleh, Perihan Saleh, Said Ben Amor, Sherif Afifi, and Mostafa Seif, showcased innovative dishes that blended global inspiration with Egyptian flair.
The demo stage truly became the heart of HACE 2025—a space where professionals, students, and food enthusiasts came together to exchange ideas, explore trends, and celebrate the art of modern gastronomy.
Mariam Ibrahim, Brand Manager of Kraft Heinz, praised the Egyptian Chefs Association as a key partner in Heinz’s success at HACE 2025:
“Firstly, the Egyptian Chefs Association is a key partner in Heinz’s success. They truly connect us with young chefs and give us the opportunity to support the next generation of culinary talent. Through our sponsorship of the Culinary Demo Zone, we were also able to engage with many senior chefs, such as Chef Mostafa Seif, Chef Sherif Afifi, and others. This exposure is extremely valuable for us at Heinz, as it allows our brand to stand alongside some of the most respected names in the HORECA sector.
The organization of the event was exceptional. The entire ECA team was highly supportive and attentive, always ready to assist us whenever needed. I have great respect for the Egyptian Chefs Association—their ability to connect everyone in the industry is remarkable. They create an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and excellence, helping all of us deliver our best work. I would like to sincerely thank the Association for their tremendous efforts and wish them continued success in everything they do.
The ECA’s participation at HACE 2025 was more than a showcase—it was a celebration of community, mentorship, and progress. The Association extended heartfelt thanks to all participants, sponsors, judges, and volunteers, whose dedication made the event an overwhelming success.
With international collaboration, youthful energy, and unmatched organization, ECA reaffirmed its mission: to elevate Egypt’s culinary standards and empower chefs to shine on the global stage.
The Egyptian Chefs Association extends its sincere gratitude to all competition sponsors—Almera, Al Safy Foods, Dixie Mills, Emkay Foods, Juhayna, Maxim Foods, Rehana, and US Meat—for their generous support, partnership, and belief in Egypt’s culinary future.
Vice President Culinary at CATRION former Saudi Arabian Airlines Catering SACC
WorldChefs Certified Continental Judge
WorldChefs Certified Continental Pastry Judge
