In the cookoff hosted by the USA Cheese Guild in partnership with the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai, the cohort of 11 highly talented Chefs and USA Cheese Specialists from the industry had a tall order in front of them. The challenge before them was to produce a fine-dining menu that incorporated at least two varieties of USA Cheese in both a starter and main course in the most impeccable way.
The inaugural USA Cheese Specialist™ Competition's eminent jury panel was proof of this challenge's prestige and quality. The four stalwarts of the UAE's culinary scene, Chef Uwe Micheel, President of the Emirates Culinary Guild; Chef Sebastian Nohse, Senior Culinary Director for Hilton Hotels, Europe Middle East and Asia; Chef Andreas Krampl, Senior Director of Culinary, Middle East & Africa, Marriot International; and Chef Antonio El Khoury, Director of Culinary Programs MENA for the USA Cheese Guild and Instructor of the USA Cheese Specialist™ Certification Program at ICCA; were joined by Amy Foor, Vice President, Global Foodservice Programs at the USA Cheese Guild and Yousra Zaki, Editor, Caterer Middle East.
Chef Andreas stated about the level of the competition, "The level of the competitors and the dishes were very good. We loved the combinations, creations, and cooking techniques. Overall it was a well-executed competition.
Chef Sebastian highlighted how it was important for competitors to realize that it was not just about winning but also about having fun. He said, "While the competition was incredible, I would urge all the competitors not to focus on winning alone but on having fun learning and its application.
The 11 competitors that participated in the competition are certified USA Cheese Specialists with advanced knowledge of Cheese. While the competition was gruelling and tested their mettle and knowledge of USA cheeses, it also proved to be a great platform to showcase the application, creativity, and presentation skills they garnered during the USA Cheese Specialist™ Certification Program. Maxmillian Monyancha Omae, A USA Cheese Specialist and one of the competitors, said, "The competition was challenging, but it was such a great learning experience right from putting together the recipes and executing it. We could utilize the exposure and experience we gained during the program at this cookoff. A big thank you to ICCA Dubai and the USA Cheese Guild for this great opportunity."
The competitors got to live the high life at Dubai's iconic Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, savour gourmet meals at top-tier restaurants and experience the adrenaline-pumping thrill of Skydive Dubai in a culinary competition like no other.
Alleta Ruvimbo Ziwachi, one of the competitors, said, "What an experience it was! From staying at an opulent hotel and dining at some exclusive restaurants to the adrenaline-packed skydive, I cannot pick one favourite moment from the entire experience of a lifetime!"
ICCA's strategic partnership with the United States Dairy Export Council (USDEC) to jointly develop and deliver the USA Cheese Specialist Certification Program began in 2018. To date, this program has trained over 500 chefs and food service professionals in the industry in the UAE. This program, conceived and birthed in ICCA Dubai, is now being offered by the USDEC, in eight other countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, and China, with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Chile being among the most recent to join.
"It has been an incredible journey for ICCA and USDEC. The 2022 USA Cheese Specialist™ competition is a unique initiative to build higher levels of engagement and provide a platform, an opportunity, experience, and recognition that the talent in the industry truly deserves..." Concluded Sunjeh Raja, CEO & Director, ICCA Dubai.
In the cookoff hosted by the USA Cheese Guild in partnership with the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai, the cohort of 11 highly talented Chefs and USA Cheese Specialists from the industry had a tall order in front of them. The challenge before them was to produce a fine-dining menu that incorporated at least two varieties of USA Cheese in both a starter and main course in the most impeccable way.
The inaugural USA Cheese Specialist™ Competition's eminent jury panel was proof of this challenge's prestige and quality. The four stalwarts of the UAE's culinary scene, Chef Uwe Micheel, President of the Emirates Culinary Guild; Chef Sebastian Nohse, Senior Culinary Director for Hilton Hotels, Europe Middle East and Asia; Chef Andreas Krampl, Senior Director of Culinary, Middle East & Africa, Marriot International; and Chef Antonio El Khoury, Director of Culinary Programs MENA for the USA Cheese Guild and Instructor of the USA Cheese Specialist™ Certification Program at ICCA; were joined by Amy Foor, Vice President, Global Foodservice Programs at the USA Cheese Guild and Yousra Zaki, Editor, Caterer Middle East.
Chef Andreas stated about the level of the competition, "The level of the competitors and the dishes were very good. We loved the combinations, creations, and cooking techniques. Overall it was a well-executed competition.
Chef Sebastian highlighted how it was important for competitors to realize that it was not just about winning but also about having fun. He said, "While the competition was incredible, I would urge all the competitors not to focus on winning alone but on having fun learning and its application.
The 11 competitors that participated in the competition are certified USA Cheese Specialists with advanced knowledge of Cheese. While the competition was gruelling and tested their mettle and knowledge of USA cheeses, it also proved to be a great platform to showcase the application, creativity, and presentation skills they garnered during the USA Cheese Specialist™ Certification Program. Maxmillian Monyancha Omae, A USA Cheese Specialist and one of the competitors, said, "The competition was challenging, but it was such a great learning experience right from putting together the recipes and executing it. We could utilize the exposure and experience we gained during the program at this cookoff. A big thank you to ICCA Dubai and the USA Cheese Guild for this great opportunity."
The competitors got to live the high life at Dubai's iconic Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, savour gourmet meals at top-tier restaurants and experience the adrenaline-pumping thrill of Skydive Dubai in a culinary competition like no other.
Alleta Ruvimbo Ziwachi, one of the competitors, said, "What an experience it was! From staying at an opulent hotel and dining at some exclusive restaurants to the adrenaline-packed skydive, I cannot pick one favourite moment from the entire experience of a lifetime!"
ICCA's strategic partnership with the United States Dairy Export Council (USDEC) to jointly develop and deliver the USA Cheese Specialist Certification Program began in 2018. To date, this program has trained over 500 chefs and food service professionals in the industry in the UAE. This program, conceived and birthed in ICCA Dubai, is now being offered by the USDEC, in eight other countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, and China, with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Chile being among the most recent to join.
"It has been an incredible journey for ICCA and USDEC. The 2022 USA Cheese Specialist™ competition is a unique initiative to build higher levels of engagement and provide a platform, an opportunity, experience, and recognition that the talent in the industry truly deserves..." Concluded Sunjeh Raja, CEO & Director, ICCA Dubai.