A total of 13 top Dubai five-star hotels have confirmed participation in the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Black Box Culinary Challenge to be held under the patronage of Dubai Tourism and Commercial Marketing Department (DTCM) at Madinat Jumeirah from May 31st to June 1st, 2010.
The list of participating hotels features the emirate’s hospitality heavy-weights Madinat Jumeirah, Atlantis – The Palm, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Coral Deira Hotel, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort (RAK), Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek, The Address Dubai Marina, Media Rotana Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Raffles Dubai and The Address Downtown Dubai. The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management will also participate in the competition.
“The strong participation of Dubai’s luxurious hotels reflects the importance of the prestigious Black Box Culinary Challenge for the hospitality sector in the emirate as a platform for raising gastronomic standards and enshrining its position as a major destination for tourism and culinary diversity. Australian meat industry is proud to be the leading supplier of high quality beef and lamb products to the Dubai foodservice sector and appreciates the long term support afforded us by many local chefs and hoteliers over many years, Australian Beef and Lamb hold a special place on many menu’s through the emirates” said Mr. Lachlan Bowtell, Regional Manager, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) – Middle East and North Africa.
According to the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge competition rules, the teams will be given one hour to create a four-course menu based on a “black box” of mystery ingredients which will be revealed on the morning of May 31. The ingredients will include Australian beef and lamb, and a selection of other ingredients from international and local foodservice companies sponsoring this event.
On June 1, the teams will display their creative skill in preparing their menu to be served to the judging team and subsequently at a gala dinner for invited guests representing all sectors of Dubai’s hospitality sector.
The challenge will not only expose Dubai chefs and industry to the first-class quality and variety of Australia’s red meat products, but will also create an opportunity to seek out excellence and innovation in their culinary craft using quality produce.
