Chefs who excelled working with world class seafood rose to notoriety last week at the live semi-finals of Seafood Scotland’s Chef Poissonnier of the Year UAE competition. Filmed at Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai, the competition saw 4 chefs secure their position as the top 4 Poissonnier chefs in the UAE.
The highly competitive, action-packed semi-final of Seafood Scotland’s first Chef Poissonnier of the Year UAE saw 8 chefs produce some stunning dishes with a selection of world-class Scottish Seafood species, that led to a nail-biting finish. To say it wasn’t nerve-racking would be an understatement, given the multi-award-winning judging panel which consisted of the Chairman of judges – Chef Wayne Tapsfield, Managing Director of Ben’s Farmhouse ME – Chef Ben Tobitt and Michelin star culinary extraordinaire – Executive Chef at CÉ LA VI Dubai Howard Ko. For the battling semi-finalists, it all boiled down to their exceptional poissonnier skills, culinary creativity, innovation, and perfectly plated Seafood dishes.
The intense semi-final round saw the 4 top-scoring chefs produce winning dishes from a range of Scottish seafood species including fresh salmon by MOWI, smoked salmon by Loch Fyne, oysters, langoustines, crab, and scallops by Loch Fyne Seafarms.
See the action here:
The semi-finals were split into 2 rounds, where the contestants were asked to prepare 3 covers for each. In round 1, chefs prepared a seafood starter, being scored on the correct size and proportion of the starter, its taste and texture, presentation and the visually apparent relationship of the dish to a continent of choice. While in round 2, chefs prepared a Scottish seafood main course, this time from a different continent to showcase their versatility. Similar judging criteria was applied that included scores for creativity and innovation, with judges also looking closely at their Poissonnier skills, with the quality of their blocking, scaling, gutting, filleting & knife skills all evaluated. To add to the pressure the Chefs were required to work efficiently and hygienically using ingredients cost-effectively and economically while maintaining the finesse and artistic appeal in finishing and presenting their dish.
The top 4 chefs making it through to the final in May are:
- Nigel Lobo, Group Executive Chef, Stars n’ Bars, UAE
- Jorge Rodriguez, Head Chef of Tortuga and Executive Sous Chef, Mina A’ Salam Hotel – Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
- Saraj Mohamad, Demi Chef de Partie, The Duchess
- Islam Ezzat Masoud, Junior Sous Chef, Caesars Palace, Bluewaters Dubai
For more details on the finalists click here: https://www.sfschefcompetition.com/finalists/
The Winner Takes All
Congratulations to our finalists! The live finals in May 2022 will be filmed and published across UAE media for all to witness the crowning of the ‘Chef Poissonnier of the Year UAE’, who will win a once in a lifetime all-expenses-paid educational trip to the beautiful remote Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Here they will get a fantastic opportunity to perfect their fish skills with the masters of seafood and the world’s greatest fishermen, have a personal tour of the fisheries and a traditional Scottish smokehouse, and receive a premium personalised Bragard Chefs Jacket.
Keep up to date with the news and updates from the competition at https://www.sfschefcompetition.com/media/
For more coverage of the competition and to keep up to date, please visit www.sfsseafoodcompetition.com
