Renowned Chef Willment Leong, the founder and chairman of the Thailand Culinary Academy, held a special culinary masterclass in Hulhule Island Hotel on Saturday.
Hosted jointly by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Service (MECS) and Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), the masterclass took place with over 145 participants from 60 resorts across the archipelago.
Chef Leong demonstrated four hot main courses as well as some of the latest culinary techniques in the masterclass. The special session also included a discussion regarding International Culinary Competitions. Furthermore, Chef Leong introduced the “Dalee Duck Range” after the class, while local chefs Ahmed Fatheen and Ismail Naseer, who bagged silver medals at the HOFEX 2017, gave special demonstrations to the participants.
Alan Palmer, the project director and chief judge of the Hotel Asia Exhibitions’ famous International Culinary Challenge, stressed the importance of holding such masterclasses for the benefit of local chefs. He also expressed interest in holding similar classes to demonstrate useful techniques, trends and information for Maldivian chefs.
Regarding the event, BBM’s CEO Mohamed Mazloom declared that BBM aims to provide opportunities for chefs working in the Maldives to hone their skills and gain experience with exeprts.
“At BBM we believe in infusing knowledge to the hospitality industry, especially in F&B. Therefore, we time-to-time conduct training programmes on diversified sectors in F&B in the Maldives or host chefs to travel abroad for training. Such programs as this would enhance the industry to be in line with the best in the world.”
MECS’ General Manager Husnie Rauf also shed light on the upcoming Hotel Asia Exhibition.
“This year with over 600 entries we have created history at Hotel Asia with a record number of participants,” he announced.
He stated that the expo has been sold out with 175 stalls that are represented by over 2,000 brands from more than 35 countries. He added that MECS is mulling the possibility of extending the Culinary Challenge to five days next year.
Hotel Asia Exhibition’s International Culinary Challenge will be conducted in 22 categories. The main awards in the contest are Most Outstanding Chef, Most Outstanding Pastry Chef, Top Maldivian Chef, Best Culinary Establishment and the “Alan Palmer Challenger Trophy” in addition to Judges’ Special Awards.
The International Culinary Challenge will be held from September 17 – 20 while the Hotel Asia Exhibition is scheduled to officially commence on September 18 until 20 at Dharubaaruge convention centre in capital Male City.
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