SOME OF Dubai’s top chefs competed last night to create the winning menu from a selection of Irish ingredients. The Taste of Ireland event was organised by the Irish Business Network in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to promote Irish produce.
The 12 finalists were presented with a “green box” of Irish ingredients including beef, seafood, oils, honey, chocolate and dairy products. They were asked to create and cook a meal using the products. All ingredients are either available or have been approved for sale in the UAE.
While 50 hotels and restaurants from across the emirates were invited, all 12 finalists were from Dubai. These included the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, The Palm and the Jumeirah Emirates Towers. The winner was the team from Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, led by executive chef Kjell Kollin.
Irish Ambassador to the emirates Ciarán Madden said Ireland’s agri-food industry was a key component of our modern economy “and it is very important that we promote our extensive range of food products to the UAE”.
The competition would become an annual event because it was so well received, organisers said.
