Meat & Livestock Australia Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 Honours Culinary Talent In Dubai

Culinary excellence in Dubai was honoured recently during the prestigious and exciting Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner of the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 which brought together 60 chefs from 15 top hotels and resorts as well as the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, who toiled in their kitchens for honors in one of the world’s top culinary competitions.

Organized under the auspices of Dubai Tourism and Commercial Marketing Department, by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), representing the Australian Meat industry, the main supplier of quality halal beef and lamb products to the local and regional catering markets, the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 was held at Madinat Jumeirah and was overseen by no less than nine international culinary judges, representatives from the World’s Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), the Emirates Culinary Guild, Dubai hospitality industry and journalists from local and international F&B, social and lifestyle media.

Lachlan Bowtell, Regional Manager of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Middle East and North Africa, said: “Obviously, the Black Box Culinary Challenge has become an ideal platform for the hospitality industry in Dubai to challenge its gastronomic creativity and boost the already high standards in Dubai’s culinary sector, as one of the world’s most prestigious and sophisticated dining destinations. Contesting chefs showcased their talents in handling the best quality Australian beef and lamb products, which have become essential ingredients on menus in the UAE. On this occasion, we’d like to congratulate all winners of the Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 and particularly, overall winner, The Address Downtown Dubai, as well as the first runner up, the Emirates Academy and second runner up, The Address Marina.

The list of participating hotels featured the emirate’s hospitality heavy-weights Madinat Jumeirah, Atlantis – The Palm, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Coral Deira Hotel, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort (RAK), Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek, The Address Dubai Marina, Media Rotana Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Raffles Dubai The Address Downtown Dubai and Park Hyatt Dubai Hotel. The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management has also participated in the competition.

According to the Black Box Challenge’s procedures, Chefs have to gather one day before in the Black Box unveiling ceremony. Every team is assigned an identical black box that contains a wide variety of ingredients including Australian beef and lamb, from which chefs are able to unleash their creativity and creativity. Once teams’ ingredients are registered by the Challenge Coordinator, they have one hour to extricate their innovative nerve and produce four courses: appetizer, soup, main course and dessert. The judges mark every entry and the team obtaining the highest total mark is announced the Overall Winner.

After detailed deliberations between the Challenge’s judges, The Address Downtown Hotel was announced overall Winner of the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010, followed by The Address Marina and Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, consecutively. For the Best Table Display Award, however, Grand Habtoor & Spa distinguished its table with a fine blend of creative design and simplicity to snatch the Award. Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s table came second and Atlantis – Palm Jumeirah’s third.

The Best Main Course Award went to Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management whereas The Address Downtown received the Best Appetizer Award and the Best Dessert Award. Atlantis – Palm Jumeirah was also honoured with the Best Soup Award.

Rejoicing in winning the 2010 edition of the Black Box Culinary Challenge, the Address Downtown Chef, Daniel......., said: “We’re extremely happy with the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 title, and I’d like to thank my team for their creative edge and also to thank Meat & Livestock Australia for providing the Dubai culinary industry with this unique opportunity that contributes to culinary best practice and encourage gastronomic innovation and excellence among prestigious caterers in Dubai.”
 

Olivier Award Winning Actress Leanne Jones To Work With Young Dubai Talent In Spotlight Academy @ DUCTAC’s Production Of Hairspray

Olivier award winning actress LEANNE JONES has joined Spotlight Academy @ DUCTAC’s forthcoming production of Hairspray and will reprise her critically acclaimed role of Tracy Turnblad in the Tony and Olivier Award winning show.

Leanne, who won the prestigious Olivier Award in 2008 for Best Actress in a Musical for Hairspray, also received the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Newcomer and Theatregoers’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical as a member of the show’s Original London Cast at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End.

As part of the Spotlight Academy @ DUCTAC team, she will work each day to help local Dubai students learn, prepare, rehearse and perform in Spotlight Academy @ DUCTAC’s first production.

She is joined by fellow Hairspray Original London Cast member TEREL NUGENT who will reprise his role of Seaweed J Stubbs, STEPHEN McGLYNN (Burt in Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia!) who will play Wilbur Turnblad and ANTONY STUART-HICKS (Wizard of Oz) who will play Edna Turnblad.

Hairspray is the first production from SPOTLIGHT ACADEMY @ DUCTAC, which gives the very best local talent the chance to work, rehearse and perform alongside some of the UK’s leading theatrical stars. Auditions took place in May with the successful performers taking part in two weeks of intensive theatre workshops and rehearsals with some of the UK’s top creative talent, culminating in SEVEN performances of Hairspray in DUCTAC’s magnificent Centrepoint Theatre.

The show is produced on behalf of DUCTAC by JC Theatre Productions and The Shakespeare 4 Kidz Theatre Company. Producer and Director Julian Chenery, who has brought his acclaimed Shakespeare 4 Kidz shows to Dubai for the past 4 years, is delighted that Leanne has found time to squeeze the Spotlight Academy @ DUCTAC into her busy schedule.

“Leanne was a sensation when she burst onto the West End stage as Tracy Turnblad. She is one of the most talented musical theatre stars in the world and tremendous fun. I know that everyone who is lucky enough to be part of this exciting production will love her and learn so much from working with her.”

Leanne arrives in Dubai directly from the London production of Jonathan Larsson’s Tick, Tick, Boom! and prior to a UK tour of Dave Simpson’s play The Naked Truth.

Packed with great songs, amazing dance routines and bags of humour, Hairspray is a fun, feel good night out for all the family. So don’t miss your chance to see Leanne performing live on stage in Dubai alongside the stars of the future - book your tickets now at the DUCTAC box office (04 341 4777) or through www.timeouttickets.com or www.boxofficeme.com

Performances run from Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 July at the Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates.

See www.hairspraydubai.com or www.ductac.org for further details
 

Dubai Talent Signs Up At Wafi

Hundreds of aspiring models, actors, promoters and entertainers attended the Babel Event and Model Management Open Day for a day of beauty and fashion fun at Wafi Mall.

Beauty, hair and photography professionals gave tips and advice to members of the public and performed mini-makeovers throughout the day while model bookers signed up new talent from all cultures and age groups to the Babel talent books.

Professionals from Cleopatra’s Spa and make-up artists from Make Up Forever gave free treatments, mini makeovers and advice on summer trends. Photo Solutions Middle East was also onsite with its mobile studio performing portfolio shots for aspiring talent. All who visited the stand were given an insight into how models should look, pose and succeed in the industry.

Candice Little, Babel event manager and model booker, says: “The day’s been a huge success and we’ve seen hundreds of people who will certainly get some great jobs with our clients. We’re particularly pleased to have signed up a large number of Arab women and men during this event as there is a shortage of supply and huge demand, particularly in the commercial industry. It was great to meet so many enthusiastic people that did not necessarily realise this was a path open to them and they in fact have loads of talent to offer the industry. It was also fantastic to spot fresh, fashionable and unique faces, who will be perfect for editorial shoots.”

Ladies and gentlemen from all nationalities and cultures came dressed to impress for the day of fun and enquired about roles ranging from cast, editorial and catwalk models, hostesses and promoters through to professional singers and dancers.

Aser Al Baseer, Wafi’s PR adds: “The mall is buzzing with the launch of the Dubai Summer Surprises sales so, with the extra turnout at the Babel area, it’s been an amazing day. Wafi Mall is particularly popular with Emirati and Arab shoppers, so the agency has certainly benefited with much sought-after talent from these nationalities. Today’s open day was a success for all involved and we’re certainly open to any similar events, where we can strengthen the association between our retail offerings and our customers.”

Having launched in early 2010, Babel Event and Model Management’s books already include some of the cream of the UAE’s talent pool, from top catwalk and editorial models through to DJs and television personalities.

UAE Online Art Archive Is Launched Alongside A Nation Wide Competition Showcasing The UAE’s Talent

The art community of the UAE is in for a lavish helping of the Emirates’ most comprehensive online database as the Office for the UAE Pavilion at the Venice Biennale launches the UAE Art Archive, www.uaeartarchive.org. The UAE Art Archive has been developed specifically to offer a platform for people interested in the art scene across the UAE to have a better understanding of art and the cultural infrastructure of the country and to showcase artists’ work.

Its launch is complemented by an image design contest that will enable anyone who is resident in the UAE to submit their design for the homepage banner of the art archive, which can be found at www.uaeartarchive.org. Supported by Emirates Airline, who is providing two economy class tickets to Venice, the competition encourages everyone with artistic flair to submit their work.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Lamees Hamdan, Commissioner of the UAE Pavilion, said:
“The UAE Art Archive provides a unique platform, for the first time, in the contemporary art community where we can all come together and share this vehicle across all seven Emirates. This is a collective space for artists practicing in the UAE to show their work, whereby profiles can be uploaded with a biography, reference to online websites and gallery affiliation can be made and exhibition histories and artwork can be created. The archive is published online and is open to everyone all over the world.

This is also an opportunity for UAE residents to participate in an exclusive competition and to be a part of an online community that is really working from a grass roots level for the art and cultural scene across the UAE. This competition, I believe, is one of the most effective paths in which we can engage people’s interests and encourage them to support our own pool of creative contemporary talent.”

Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations – Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates Airline said:
"Emirates is delighted to be a part of this exciting initiative. I hope that the people of the UAE can take inspiration from the majestic beauty of this great country when developing their submissions. The UAE Pavilion has worked hard to encourage UAE residents to embrace and express their creativity and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them for many years to come."

Commencing from July 23nd, the competition will be judged by the Ambassadors to the UAE Pavilion: Sultan Al Qassemi, Alanood Al Warshaw, Jack Persekian, Paula Askari, Hannan Sayed, Nadine Kanso, Rashid Shabib, Ahmed Shabib, Sunny Rahbar and Maliha Tabari. The contest will close on September 2nd and an announcement of the winner will be made on September 16th at a Suhoor during Ramadan to reveal who will be awarded two economy flight tickets to Venice with a three-day stay at a four-star hotel in Venice and two tickets to visit the 53rd Venice Biennale, courtesy of Emirates Airline.

“As an Ambassador to the UAE Pavilion and one of the judges of this competition, I am enthusiastic to see the first glimpse of how the UAE’s art scene has evolved and what our local creative minds have in store. This contest is an innovative way to examine the developments which are currently taking place across the UAE’s art agenda,” Sultan Al Qassemi commented.

The announcement comes in the midst of an ongoing international art exhibition in Venice, Italy, the 2009 Venice Biennale, of which the UAE has sent its official contribution to play an integral part. Breaking ground as the first Arabian Gulf state ever to participate since the event began in 1895, the UAE Pavilion was established in recognition of the nation’s emergence as a cultural hub worthy of attracting global attention and was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Universally recognised as the world’s most prestigious contemporary art event, the Venice Biennale currently presents its 53rd International Art Exhibition, which began on June 7 and will be staged through November 22, 2009.