45 of the world’s top young chefs to compete in SIAL’s inaugural Golden Coffee Pot contest

Rising stars of the food industry are set to shine on the international culinary circuit thanks to the hotly anticipated new Alen Thong Golden Coffee Pot Young Chef Challenge hosted at SIAL Middle East from 5-7 December 2016 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

SIAL is adding yet another gem to its crown with the new competition, which will see nine teams of five professional young chefs compete for the coveted accolade.

“We look forward to welcoming the first edition of the Alen Thong Golden Coffee Pot Young Chef Challenge at SIAL 2016,” said Thamer Al Qasemi, chairman of the organising committee of SIAL Middle East 2016. “The awards have attracted nine prestigious teams from around the world and we look forward to seeing them compete for the top title.”

The competition will welcome entrants from China, Germany, Hong Kong, Lesotho, Namibia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden and the UAE.

Three teams will go head-to-head each day, creating a mouthwatering menu of internationally-themed dishes including a cold salad, appetizer, plated hot main course and dessert buffet for forty people. The food will be assessed by nine respected World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS) international culinary judges who will collaborate to appoint the winning team.

The Alen Thong Golden Coffee Pot Young Chef Challenge, organised by the Abu Dhabi chapter of the Emirates Culinary Guild in collaboration with the World Association of Chefs' Societies, will form an important part of La Cuisine at SIAL, a popular show feature that is a top meeting place for foodservice professionals from around the world. The awards are in memory of John Alen Thong, a founding father of the Emirates Culinary Guild, who passed away in 2015.

The 7th edition of SIAL, the Middle East’s fastest-growing professional trade exhibition for the food, beverage and hospitality industries, will feature more than 900 exhibitors, 500 VIP hosted buyers, and attract 22,000 food, beverage and hospitality attendees. Attendees will enjoy three days of business, networking and knowledge sharing, with access to niche conferences and innovative show floor events.

SIAL is organised in cooperation with Strategic Partner, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and supported by Abu Dhabi Chamber as Host Sponsor and in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Food Festival. Al Dahra Agriculture is headline sponsor with Jenaan Investments the Diamond Sponsor and Emirates Food Industries Gold Sponsor. Emirates International Group for Food and Agriculture and Al Rawabi are Silver Sponsors; Mawasim are Bronze Sponsors; LuLu is the official Retail Partner; Etihad Airways is the Official Airline; and Emirates Culinary Guild and World Association of Chefs are Culinary Partners.