The participants, families and judges who attended the event were treated to a scrumptious lunch buffet at the hotel’s Silk Route Restaurant
Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of the ancient cultural district of Dubai, recently hosted the 6th Annual Biryani Muqabala, a live cooking competition sponsored by award winning Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant. Pushpa Adnani bagged the first prize for her entry of Fish Stick Biryani while Kavita Khanwani won the second prize for her Pahadi Mutton Biryani and Joyce Miranda received the third prize for her Prawns Biryani entry.
The amateur cooking competition received a total of 40 entrants but only 10 finalists, who are mostly wives of expatriates from various states of India, have been shortlisted. The finalists were each given two hours to prepare the ingredients, cook the dish and present the meal on the table. A distinguished panel of judges headed by Rakesh Puri, renowned food critic and writer Sarah Walten, CEO of Table Talk, monitored the cooking, sampled the dishes and selected the top three winners. The recipes were judged based on hygiene, cooking style and method, ingredients, taste and presentation.
Habib Khan, General Manager, Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, said: “We are very pleased to host the annual Biryani cooking competition for amateur chefs who take pride in cooking for their loved ones. The objective of organizing this contest is to promote culinary talent among Indian ladies in the UAE. Biryani is a hugely popular and classic Indian dish loved by families the world over. Whether it’s a classic family recipe passed down through generations or one that is perfected with a secret formula, the Biryani dish will always be part of Indian festivities and celebratory occasions. The judges are really impressed with this year’s entries and we congratulate the winners and the finalists for their effort.”
The winning Biryani recipe will be featured as a Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant special and diners will have a chance to taste the delectable dish. The first prize winner received a Diwan Jewellers pearl necklace, shoes from Adaa Lounge Shoe and meal and spa vouchers from Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa. The second and third prize winners also received gift vouchers from Diwan Jewellers, shoes and meal and spa vouchers.
The participants, families and judges who attended the event were treated to a scrumptious lunch buffet at the hotel’s Silk Route Restaurant.
