All eyes on the finale: A peek into the Elle & Vire Professionnel Cream Cheese Competition in the GCC

Sponsored: The leading French manufacturer of creams and butter, Elle & Vire Professionnel, introduced the inaugural Elle & Vire Professionnel Cream Cheese Competition in 2023, to highlight its professional cream cheese range across the GCC market

The primary goal of this initiative was to actively engage chefs in promoting the varied applications of the range, particularly focusing on nurturing talented young chefs. With its extensive presence in the Middle East, Elle & Vire Professionnel stands out as a major brand offering an extensive array of cream cheese products tailored for professionals.

The competition comprised three rounds held in the UAE, Kuwait, and KSA, featuring top chefs from renowned hotels, restaurant chains, and bakeries. The first round was held at the Salon du Chocolat in Dubai, UAE, featuring a trio of judges. Indeed, the brand’s ambassador Chef Karim Bourgi was joined by chef Bernard Charles and chef Paul Hayward.

Kuwait hosted the second round, which was judged by Elle & Vire Professionnel ambassador chef Ali Dashti, in addition to chef Ziad Hilal and chef Benjamin de Closets. The third round in Riyadh, judged by Elle & Vire Professionnel ambassador chef Farah Hamdane and chefs Charles Azar and Bernard Charles, occurred at the Salon du Chocolat.

THE CHALLENGE

The Elle & Vire Professionnel Cream Cheese Competition in the GCC took place in collaboration with the International Center for Culinary Arts (ICCA, Dubai) on January 26, 2024. The finalists underwent evaluation by a distinguished panel consisting of the brand’s renowned ambassadors: chef Karim Bourgi, chef Francois Daubinet, and chef Sergio Freitas from ICCA.

Brand Ambassadors Chef François Daubinet et Chef Karim Bourgi; and Chef Sergio Freitas.

Masterfully crafted challenges for both tests to ensure that the finalists demonstrated creativity, technical skills, and originality in their two culinary creations. The initial challenge centred around a signature cheesecake, where participants utilised Elle & Vire Professionnel American Cream Cheese.

For the second challenge – a plated cheesecake dessert with specific ingredients stipulated by chef Francois Daubinet – finalists had to include Elle & Vire Professional Soft Style Cream Cheese in their dessert.

Six winners from KSA, Kuwait, and the UAE competed for the grand prize and the coveted title of the best chef. Following a party at the Bastion Restaurant, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, three winners were announced. Kimberly Valeroso from Lafayette Gourmet secured the first prize of USD5,000, Artur Sviatnenko from Zo Bakery claimed the second prize of USD3,500, and Norman Mawili from LPM Riyadh received the third prize of USD1,500.

For more information, visit website and Instagram.