Ulrich had to create his winning menu live, in front of the international judges and surrounding audience at the Central Galleria of the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. His fantastic success makes it five wins in a row for Burj Al Arab chefs.“Lots of time preparing myself and working out all the different dishes gave me the self-confidence to win, with plenty of ideas for new combinations”, explained Ulrich.
Winning overall first place has landed the young chef the prize of a week in London, based at the Sheraton Hotel Park Lane, meeting celebrity chefs and visiting some of the city's leading restaurants.
Co-chef Siswanto ran a very close second place to his colleague, presenting a dish of lobster medallions and vegetable tian with a grilled artichoke salad before the impressed judges.
Adding to the hotel’s honours, Rober Saloum was crowned Arabic Chef of the Year. Taking a modern approach to local ingredients, Rober encrusted Hallwayo fish with chopped coriander, and cumin and lemon flavoured tomato and onion, and then served this with a spicy, aromatic yellow rice of turmeric, coriander and cinnamon.
With Chef de Partie Moorthy Kanawage exhibiting Burj Al Arab’s impeccable standards of cleanliness to triumph in the Hygiene Award, the event was a great showcase for the hotel’s young culinary talent.
