Cooking is one of the most versatile forms of art, which evokes the five senses in a creative canvas that knows no boundaries.
Saudi chefs and culinary artists were given the opportunity to showcase their talents at the first Saudi live-cooking contest in Jeddah during the FoodEx Forum.
The three-day cooking contest was organized by Rayan Alayesh, culinary advisor and Basma El Khereiji, chef and owner of BMKK for catering, with the aim of encouraging culinary art in the Kingdom.
“My partner and I organized this competition to promote culinary art and to remove the stigma of cooking in Saudi Arabia. I am very pro healthy eating, so as a judge in this contest I’m giving extra points for healthy ingredients and those going out of their way to cook hearty and presentable dishes,” El Khereiji said.
She said the response to the contest was positive, with more than 50 applicants competing in the contest. The applicants were all amateur and non-professional cooks- a condition the organizers had placed for the competition.
The co-organizer aslo stressed her eagerness for Saudi women to enter the culinary domain and her desire to hire women in her company.
Meanwhile, Alayesh said he wanted to be more active in reducing the rates of obesity in the Kingdom by encouraging healthier eating styles.
“I’m trying to spread awareness and information about the culinary industry, as there is a misconception here that it does not constitute a profession, while in reality there are many undeveloped opportunities in this domain within the Kingdom,” he said adding, “During Ramadan we hosted a YouTube program that teaches Saudi families how to make different dishes from whatever ingredients they have in their kitchens.”
Alayesh revealed that he dreams of establishing a culinary college in the Kingdom and opening a restaurant.
“With this cooking contest we are trying to encourage local talents and working on introducing a new concept, as this is the first time we are having such a live cooking contest in Saudi Arabia. Through this competition we are trying to encourage people to participate and come out of their shells, as some of the participants possess a lot of talent but its hidden because there are no outlets for them to shine,” he explained.
Bashir Madni, one of the contestants, told Arab news that it was her first time to participate in such a contest, pointing out that she loves to cook but has never had the opportunity to share her passion.
Ahmed Al Rashdi, another contestant, told Arab News that the contest was an excellent opportunity for people like him who are not professional cooks but possess a passion for cooking to come forward and showcase their talent.
The three-day contest involved preparing an appetizer, main course and dessert and was open for the public.
Winners of the contest were announced on the last day of the competition and received SR5,000 as a reward.
For the entrée round, Raid Batterjee seized the first place with his creamy spinach dish, stuffed in large pasta shells and drizzled with sweet tomato and cream cheese.
Mai Al Harbi received the first place award for her pumpkin soup and delicious arugula salad with crispy almonds and balsamic reduction.
In the other categories, Mohammed Al Hanahi, won the title “Most ideal chef”, while Arwa Abdulrahman Al-Moghrabi was winner of the dessert round with her Tunisian biscuit flavoured with coconut and tangerine.
Aseed Al Shami won the title of “Most creative take on a traditional dish”, for transforming the European carrot cake to delicious Arabian cupcakes featuring dates as the main ingredients and also went the extra mile to pair it with a perfectly balanced Arabic coffee.
Sameera bin Mahfooz was named winner of the most beautiful looking crème brulee, showing off her artistic skills in decorating the plate with sugar.