USA Rice Federation Announces Winners

2nd USA Rice Cooking Competition concludes in Dubai

USA Rice Federation today announced the two winners of the 2nd USA Rice Cooking Competition. Six finalists were selected from over thirty recipes submitted by some of the leading chefs in the UAE, who attended the final cook off at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek.

The USA Rice Competition required entrants to submit their leading recipes which included any American rice brand as a component of the dish. Competing Chefs had the opportunity to submit two healthy recipes that included American rice in two categories - hot and cold dish.

Mr Hartwig Schmidt, Regional Director, USA Rice Federation, explains, “USA Rice Federation is delighted to organize this cooking competition for the 2nd time in Dubai.  We are committed to support the development of talented chefs in the region and are excited to explore together the many creative ways of using high quality American Rice in different international cuisines. We have been truly amazed by the standard of cooking at the competition today and appreciate everyone’s efforts in making the event so successful. We have received tremendous support from Chef Uwe Micheel, President of the Emirates Culinary Guild, and thank him for helping to make this event so rewarding for all involved.   A special thank you to our sponsor: Wüsthof: Knife Makers to the World Since 1814; who presented each of the finalists which high value Wüsthof knife sets.”

A panel of seven judges including Chef Martino D’Souza, Chef Michel Miraton, Chef Lionel Boyce, Chef Anil Kumar, Chef Bien Chavez, Chef Zain Sidhu and Chef Jamal Al- Zuabi evaluated the finalist dishes paying particular attention to skills and working methods, hygiene, taste and presentation and creativity.

The winners of the 2nd USA Rice Cooking Competition, Chef S.T. Muragan of Hilton Jumeirah and Chef Antonio De Dominicis of Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek were presented with a cash prize of US$3000 each as recognition for their unique recipes roasted quail with scallions, coriander and raisin rice and coconut curry sauce for hot dish and coconut & rock melon tiramisu for cold dish. Chef Murugan and Chef Antonio, added, “We would like to thank the USA Rice Federation for this recognition. It has been a great pleasure to compete with our peers and we look forward to further initiatives in the future which help to raise culinary standards in the region.”

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