Regional buyers ready for gastronomic trade extravaganza

This four-day culinary extravaganza that includes seminars, competitions, and demonstrations for chefs will take place from the 23-26 February 2009.

The event will inspire trade visitors and exhibitors alike with: cookery demonstrations; live cooking competitions; ice carving demonstrations; buffet and banqueting showpieces; pastry and sugar set pieces; and bakery and confectionery innovations.

Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Exhibition and Events, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood, said:

"The Emirates International Salon Culinaire is a key component of the Gulfood exhibition. This year the event will bring together more than 1,000 culinary experts from around the world to compete for top honours in what has become the highlight of our annual event."

Twenty international chefs all of whom are approved by the World Association of Chefs' Societies will form the salon's expert judging panel. They will include some of the world's most distinguished chefs, such as the WACS World President - Chef Gissur Gudmundsson from Iceland, the President-Mentor of the Singapore Chef's Association - Chef Otto Weibel from Switzerland, the WACS Continental Director for Africa and the Middle East - Chef Arnold Tanzer from South Africa and many more.

Showcasing some of the industry's best talent, these exciting competitions will expose aspiring chefs to some of the most cutting edge techniques, whilst giving them the opportunity to win coveted awards which can help launch their promising careers.

"Emirates International Salon Culinaire 2009 is set to be our best and biggest ever, with Emirates Culinary Guild members playing an increasingly active role," said Allen Thong, Coordinator, The Emirates Culinary Guild and Director of the Emirates International Salon Culinaire.

The Emirates Culinary Guild is a member of WACS, the governing body of the 72-nation alliance of chef's associations worldwide.

Gulfood and the Emirates International Salon Culinaire are strictly trade-only events and are open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only, proof of which must be provided at registration. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be allowed into the exhibition.