REGIONAL FOOD IN FOCUS AT DTCM-PHILIPS TRADITIONAL GULF DISHES COMPETITION

Traditional food from the Gulf Co-operation Council countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait will be in focus on December 19th when the 'Traditional Gulf Dishes Competition' organized by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in conjunction with Philips gets underway at the Heritage Village in Shindagha.

"The Gulf Arabs are well-known for their appetite for delicious food and their rich taste is reflected in the variety of ingredients and special blends of spices that are used to create the dishes," said DTCM Manager Heritage Sites and Events, Awadh Al Seghayer.

He noted that the region's cuisine had a variety of exceptional dishes that are prepared and eaten on different occasions & festivals including marriage banquets and holy feasts.

Louis Hakim, Philips' Regional Marketing Manager (Middle East and Africa) remarked, "We are delighted to once again join hands with the DTCM after the successful Food Surprises and this time it is a unique cooking competition wherein participants will have to cook up a traditional Gulf dish."

He noted that participants would have to register for participating in the competition by calling 04-3353666. "The distinctive aspect of this competition is that the cooks can prepare the dishes within the relaxed confines of their own kitchens and arrive at the Shindagha Heritage Village with the prepared dish which will then be judged by chefs," Mr. Hakim added.

Ten lucky winners will walk away with Philips kitchen appliances on the 19th of December. International chefs will select the winners based on two primary criteria - that it is a traditional Gulf dish & it is presentable and delectable.

The competition is open to participants 20 years and above with only one dish allowed per entrant. The last date for receiving entries is December 16th. Employees of Philips, its distributors, and its advertising agency, along with their families are not eligible to participate in the contest.

"The contestants' entries will be evaluated in a very festive and fun atmosphere even though the contest is competitive, because the contestant focuses on his/her own best efforts in their own kitchen without having to bother about what the other contestants are doing," remarked Mr. Seghayer.

"So strive to create the most satisfying traditional Gulf dish and you will have to make room for a high profile European kitchen appliance in your homes," Mr. Seghayer concluded.