The Egyptian Chefs Association (ECA) celebrated a momentous occasion during the 43rd International Exhibition for Hotel Supplies and Tourism Establishments, HACE 2023, held from November 13 to 15 at the Cairo International Conference Center. The Association was honored by the visit of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Issa, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, marking the conclusion of this prestigious event.

Minister Ahmed Issa visited the ECA booth at the exhibition, highlighting the live cooking competitions that captivated the audience. His Excellency took the opportunity to distribute prizes and medals to the talented chefs who demonstrated their culinary prowess during the competitions. Accompanying the Minister were Ms. Ghada Shalaby, Deputy Minister for Tourism and Antiquities Affairs, and Mr. Adel Al-Masry, Head of the Chamber of Tourism Establishments.

The ECA live cooking competitions were very popular, with more than 170 chefs participating. During the Exhibition, the Egyptian Chefs Association organized ten culinary competitions; The competitions unfolded in live cooking kitchens equipped with state-of-the-art tools and appliances provided by “Masria Engineering & Contracting S.A.E.”, a leading company in Egypt for kitchen equipment, supplies, and installation.

A notable addition to this year’s event was the participation of Chef Domenico Maggi, the WorldChefs Academy advisor, who served as the head judge for the live cooking competitions and graced the occasion as an honored guest and judge.

Talented Young Chefs took center stage at the trade show impressing the jury members with their passion, team spirit, and culinary skills. The “Best Restaurant” competition, in which the competitors compete for the “Markus Iten Culinary Trophy 2023”, was as competitive as always with 6 restaurants participating. TLT Concepts “The Lemon Tree” emerged as the proud winner, clinching the trophy with a silver medal. The “Umami” restaurant secured second place with a silver medal, while “Khufu’s Restaurant” claimed the third spot, also earning a silver medal. The “Young Chef of the Year” witnessed a remarkable turnout of young chefs, as about 18 contestants participated in it, in addition to a large number of waiting list. This competition witnessed the emergence of an outstanding level for some young chefs, who managed to show their aspiring culinary skills. 

The live cooking competitions of vegan and Egyptian cuisine at HACE 2023 proved to be captivating showcases of culinary expertise. In these specialized contests, a remarkable display of skill and creativity was evident, as highly talented chefs competed to present innovative and delicious dishes. The vegan category highlighted the growing trend and artistry in plant-based cooking, with chefs demonstrating their ability to craft flavorful and visually appealing dishes without animal products. Simultaneously, the Egyptian Cuisine competition celebrated the rich culinary heritage of Egypt, with chefs showcasing their mastery of traditional flavors and techniques. The high level of proficiency demonstrated in both competitions underscored the diversity and talent within the culinary community, contributing to the overall success of the event. 

The annual ECA ‘live cooking’ show has solidified its reputation as a platform for chefs to network and compete in a professional and inspiring environment, fostering the growth of culinary experiences, skills, and abilities among young culinarians.

The Egyptian Chefs Association extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the winners, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the Egyptian Group for Marketing in hosting ECA events and the Masria Engineering & Contracting S.A.E. for their expert provisioning of the live cooking kitchens. The Association also expresses deep appreciation for the dedication of chef volunteers, the expertise of jury members, and the generosity of sponsoring companies, all of whom made invaluable contributions to the resounding success of HACE 2023.

Highlights of this Year’s Competition:

• The presence of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to hand over medals to the winners
• The participation of Chef Domenico Maggi, the WorldChefs Academy advisor, who served as the head judge of competitions
• 10 cooking competitions were organized
• More than 170 chefs participated in competitions with their assistants
• 12-panel discussion sessions organized at the “HACE Food HUB” forum