Week-long contest culminates as 2008 Middle East Junior Chef of the Year crowned

The mall, a member of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group, hosted the week-long event as part of the attractions during Dubai Summer Surprises 2008.

Xavier, from India, bagged gold medals in three categories - the Five Course Gourmet Menu, Live Cooking (Fish), and Live Cooking (Beef or Lamb) - to seal the contest. The Junior Chef Awards is organized by the Emirates Culinary Guild that plays an important role in gathering chefs from all over the GCC for an exciting culinary extravaganza.

When asked how he felt winning the coveted honour, Xavier replied, "The number of participating chefs is by itself an indication of the popularity and esteem the event has across the GCC and to win in this culinary exhibition is always a dream for every chef coming here."

"Every participant in this contest has a mentor and for me, that mentor is certainly Chef Juraj Kalna, Executive Chef at The Edge. Over the past year, I've learnt immensely from him and without his guidance it would have been almost impossible to win this event," he added.

Ice-carving duo does it again

After having bagged gold in last year's Team Ice-carving contest, Wanchalerm Sukseekao, a Kitchen Artist at the Jumeirah, Emirates Towers, repeated his wining this year as he struck gold again in the extremely popular ice-carving event. Along with his team mate Chamila Jayasingha of Fairmont Dubai, Wanchalerm displayed his expertise at carving sculptures over six-feet high from blocks of ice.
The prize ceremony also saw the jury, comprising of master chefs, give away the Best Chef Award in select classes. The 2008 Junior Chef Awards witnessed the participation of around 700 chefs from around the region.