The Egyptian Chefs Association (ECA) played a prominent role at the 44th International Exhibition for Hotel Supplies and Tourism Establishments, HACE 2024, held from September 2 to 4. One of the event’s main attractions was the ECA-organized live cooking competitions, drawing a large crowd and featuring over 140 chefs. These competitions highlighted Egypt’s culinary talent while celebrating international collaboration in the culinary world.

Prestigious International Judging Panel

A special highlight of this year’s event was the inclusion of a distinguished international judging panel, featuring chefs from countries such as India, Mauritius, Russia, South Africa, the UAE, and the United States. Among the panelists were culinary luminaries like Chef Manjit Gill, the first Asian candidate for Worldchefs president; Chef Stafford DeCambra, former President of the American Culinary Federation (ACF); and Chef Alla Mishina from Russia. The panel also included Chef Hossam Soliman, ECA President, and Chef Tarek Ibrahim, all of whom are part of a team running for the Worldchefs presidency, adding even greater significance to their presence. We were also honored to have Chef Thomas Gugler, President of Worldchefs, as our guest of honor.

Exciting Atmosphere in Live Cooking Competitions

The live cooking competitions were held in state-of-the-art kitchens, with cutting-edge equipment provided by the “Masria Group,” a leading Egyptian kitchen supplier, and International Cool Center. ECA organized seven competitions that attracted hundreds of spectators and saw chefs pushing the limits of culinary creativity.

In total, 71 medals were awarded, including 11 gold, 13 silver, and 45 bronze medals. Notably, female chefs made a strong showing, earning 4 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze medals. Their passion, skills, and teamwork left a lasting impression on the judges, underscoring the growing influence of women in the culinary industry.

Culinary Highlights:

One of the key highlights was the “Best Restaurant” competition, where six restaurants vied for the prestigious “Markus Iten Culinary Trophy 2024.” Brasserie Restaurant took home the gold medal and the trophy, while Osteria Restaurant Cairo finished second with a gold medal as well.

The “Best Chef of the Year” competition saw top chefs competing at a high level, further showcasing the talent and dedication of Egypt’s culinary professionals.

A Success Story

One notable success story from the competition came from Orascom Hotel Management. “Our company encouraged participation in the chef competitions, through Mr. Robert Fellermeier, our Area General Manager, and Under the leadership of Michael Ahdy, our Learning and Development Manager, we organized internal competitions in El Gouna among the hotels chefs to select the best candidates for the Association’s competitions at the HACE exhibition. After selecting six chefs, we began an intensive training process, where they repeatedly prepared their dishes. Each time, we evaluated their performance, identified issues, and worked together with the executive chefs to address and solve them. In Cairo, we provided full support, arranging hotel accommodations and a refrigerated truck for their supplies. When the chefs returned to El Gouna, their success was celebrated by the management, they returned as heroes, and their achievements were celebrated with cash prizes. It was a very rewarding experience, helping to continuously develop our chefs. ”

“The judges were highly professional, and I felt honored to meet them. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the Egyptian Chefs Association for organizing such outstanding competitions,” said Mr. Mina George, Area Director of F& B Operations & Development, at Orascom Hotel Management, El Gouna.

High Praise from the Judges

Chef Dragan Unic, Executive Chef and Production Director of LSG Sky Chefs, lauded the competition’s quality: “The event was outstanding, much better than last year. The competitors were well-prepared, which reflects the value of giving them constructive feedback after each event. I’m pleased to see the significant improvement in Egypt’s chefs.”

The ECA’s live cooking competitions at HACE 2024 served as a platform for chefs to showcase their skills, network, and gain valuable feedback from international culinary leaders. The Association expressed its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, sponsors, volunteers and judges, recognizing their contributions to the event’s success. The ECA’s dedication to advancing the culinary arts in Egypt was evident, as the event fostered talent development and collaboration between chefs, judges, and industry professionals.