Foodex Saudi to host its first Salon Culinaire

Foodex Saudi 2014 will host the show’s first international culinary competition, Salon Culinaire.

Endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) and the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association (SARCA), the competition will feature chefs competing in 15 categories that range from five-course menus to novelty cakes, live cooking of signature dishes, carving competitions and the creation of decorative showpieces.

“Saudi Arabia has attracted world-leading chefs and talent for a number of years now, helping to elevate our fine dining establishments across the country. While they create culinary masterpieces daily that reflect their passion and skill, they have not competed against each other directly or publicly until now,” said Rony Haddad, show director, Reed Sunaidi Expo.

The judging panel comprises 10 internationally renowned chefs mandated by WACS to judge culinary events around the world. These include: Thomas Gugler, Germany; Yasser Jad, Saudi Arabia; Domenico Maggi, Italy; Maher Nadaf, Syria; Zeki Acikoz, Turkey; Adrian Meyer, Switzerland; Thomas Haller, Switzerland; Alessandro Sandrolini, Italy; Bernd Uber, Australia; and, Nicholas Froneman, South Africa.

Gugler, who is the WACS continental director for Africa & Middle East, said: “FoodEx Saudi provides the perfect platform for chefs to demonstrate their expertise to both their peers and the food industry. The competition is an excellent catalyst for raising benchmarks, and the international recognition of Salon Culinaire in Saudi Arabia encourages excellence in the industry.”