Dubai World Hospitality Championship (DWHC) said it has chosen 2,588 qualified participants including 532 from the UAE - who will compete in the ‘Emirati Competition.’

They were chosen out of the original 3,385 would-be participaants who applied for registration in June, said a statement.

The event will run from October 30 to November 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, it said.

As many as 12 teams from the GCC and Arab countries will take part in the ‘International Competition,’ with representation from UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.

Meanwhile, 308 will participate in the "Gulf Products Competition", which will feature 50 participants from the GCC and 10 participants each from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. It will showcase the participants skill in the Oud and Perfumes category and homemade category.

DWHC’s ‘Gulf Exhibition’ will throw the spotlight on household products made by 304 participants who will take part in the food creations category and in the kits and utensils hospitality category.

Ahmed bin Hareb, president of DWHC, has launched a photography competition that will run during the three-day championship.  

The photography contest, which is being held in co-operation with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards (HIPA), will choose six winning photos—three under the ‘Diyafatouna’ (Our Hospitality) category; which demonstrate the aesthetic side of the Emirati hospitality, and another three under the ‘Tourathuna’ (Our Legacy) category; which demonstrate the most beautiful imagery that express the ancient Emirati legacy. The photography competition will complement the excitement and interest generated by the coming tournament.

Bin Hareb pointed out that this year’s championship will witness strong competition among the participants, who have all demonstrated high levels of creativity and skill during the evaluation and selection phase.

The participants of the "Emirati Competition", particularly the female competitors, are expected to showcase their talents across the competition’s four divisions, said the statement.

It is aimed at promoting local products across a global level, as well as promote Emirati creative talent in the culinary arts and showcase traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation.

“The "International competition" will showcase the participation of international, Arab and GCC teams composed of renowned chefs and culinary professionals. During the championship, they will prepare best-in-class food creations before an international audience and a panel of top-notch judges,” said Bin Hareb.

“The UAE team, which will be headed by Chef Musabbeh Al Kaabi and Chef Ali Salem, will compete head to head with 11 international teams and 77 participants in this category.”

Ahmed Sharif, vice president, DWHC, said: “We are looking forward in particular to reviewing the skills of the Emirati chefs who have the potential and the qualifications to compete on an international level. The public will also have opportunity to witness and experience a wide range of flavours from the dishes to be prepared by the local and regional chefs. The DWHC has become one of the major international events that specialise in the local and international hospitality industry.”

DWHC will be giving awards to all winners of the four competitions – International Competition, Gulf Products Competition, Emirati Competition and Hospitality Sector Competition.

The participant selection was announced at a press conference, which also witnessed a MoU signing on the establishment of an incubator between ‘Dubai World Hospitality Championship’ and ‘Hamdan Innovation Incubator’ one of the initiatives of The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Developments to enhance embracing Emirati talent, as well as supporting excellence and innovation to youth projects. - TradeArabia News Service