IKA Culinary Olympics and the World Cup of Chefs.
The Culinary Ambassadors of Egypt are the proud carriers of the Egyptian flag at international competitions and food festivals. With their participation, they put Egypt on the Culinary Map of the World and exchange new ideas and trends on behalf of their country and their colleagues. The Ambassadors have already proudly returned home with many gold, silver and bronze medals from prestigious competitions such as the IKA Culinary Olympics and the World Cup of Chefs.
The Egyptian Chefs Association (ECA) proudly announces that ECA Member, Chef Mustafa Samir, Chef de Partie at the Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski Hotel has won the prestigious Creative Chef Award at the International Tournament of Young Chefs held in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia, from 14 to 18 May, 2024. Chef Mustafa Samir, alongside ECA Board Member Naira El Lamei, represented Egypt with distinction at this esteemed event.
The International Tournament of Young Chefs of Islamic Countries was hosted as part of the Kazan Forum 2024, marking its debut this year. The event, aimed at fostering international cooperation and showcasing the culinary talents of young chefs from Islamic countries, saw participation from over 100 chefs representing 15 nations affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Attendees were treated to a diverse array of national cuisines prepared by young chefs from countries including Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt.
Chef Mustafa Samir’s victory in the Creative Chef category is a testament to his exceptional skill and creativity. His participation, guided by the mentorship of Naira El Lamei, involved the preparation of a set of three dishes—an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert—each incorporating at least one local ingredient that reflects the rich culinary heritage of Egypt. This unique format not only highlights the chefs’ technical abilities but also allows them to present their cultural and culinary traditions on a grand international stage.
What sets this Tournament apart from other culinary competitions is its emphasis on mentorship and collaboration. Each finalist worked closely with a mentor, a renowned chef, to refine their dishes and enhance their presentation.
The Tournament concluded with each finalist, supported by a team of chefs from Kazan’s finest restaurants, preparing their dishes for the Forum guests to taste.
The Egyptian Chefs Association extends its heartfelt congratulations to Chef Mustafa Samir for his outstanding achievement. Special thanks are also due to Chef Hany Hamed Badr for his dedication in training the chef and to Holiday Inn Citystars for generously hosting the training sessions. This victory underscores the ECA’s commitment to nurturing culinary talent and promoting Egypt’s rich gastronomic heritage on the international stage.
The 8th World Food Competition, which ran from 13 to 15 March, 2024 at the Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management in Kolkata, India, became a milestone for the culinary world as it celebrated and appreciated creative talent. Among the most notable nations that participated was Egypt, whose delegation of Young Student chefs led by its Egyptian Chefs Association garnered attention.
Representing Egypt were two young and promising chefs, Chef Belal Saleh and Chef Kirlos Atta, along with their mentor, Chef Hany Hamed, Executive Chef of Holiday Inn Citystars. Chef Belal Saleh, a student at Ras Sadr Hotel Institute and also employed at InterContinental Citystars Hotel, showcased his exceptional culinary skills and was honored with the title of Best Chef for the culinary competition. Chef Kirlos Atta, a student at the Faculty of Tourism, Helwan University, and pastry chef at the Steigenberger El Tahrir Cairo Hotel, exhibited his mastery in cake icing and was awarded the prestigious title of 1st Runner-up in the category.
Over three days, this incredibly engaging activity involved chefs from 40 countries who brought with them 160 participants globally. Each participant reflected the spirit of the competition by emphasizing practicality and ethics in the food industry thereby making a colorful tribute to culinary art.
Led by Hany Hamed, the Egyptian Culinary Ambassador, the Egyptian team showed their expertise in cooking at such a high level. This is an accomplishment that speaks volumes about Egypt’s passion and dedication towards culinary arts with young cooks emerging as next generation talents likely to shape future developments within this sector in their nation.
The Egyptian Chefs Association congratulates Chef Belal Saleh and Chef Kirlos Atta on their remarkable achievements, bringing pride and recognition to Egypt on the international culinary stage. Their victories serve as an inspiration to aspiring chefs across the country, highlighting the potential and talent within Egypt’s culinary community.
As Egypt continues to make its mark in the global culinary arena, the Egyptian Chefs Association reaffirms its commitment to nurturing and supporting young talents, ensuring a bright and flavorful future for Egyptian cuisine on the global stage. Congratulations to Egypt and its young chefs for their outstanding performance in the 8th World Food Competition.