The event was sponsored by Chef Middle East alongside its partners – Europastry and Stockman’s Certified Angus Beef® for the UAE, and Bridor for Qatar.
Chef Middle East hosted the Grand Finale of the Ultimate Sandwich Competition on 27 July 2022 at the International Centre for Culinary Arts – ICCA Dubai in a quest to find the best and most delicious sandwich in the region. The event was sponsored by Chef Middle East alongside its partners – Europastry and Stockman’s Certified Angus Beef® for the UAE, and Bridor for Qatar.
The finale hosted 8 chefs from the UAE and Qatar who demonstrated pure creativity and sensational skill to create the ultimate sandwich and win the ultimate prize of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the USA! It was captivating to watch the chefs compete for the top prize and see a vast array of premium ingredients and awe-inspiring techniques – all showcased in one place.
Each contestant had to prepare one cold, one hot, and one mystery box sandwich using unique and on-trend sandwich recipes by intricately marrying flavours and texture combinations. The 8 chefs were provided with a state-of-the-art kitchen at the ICCA, a full pantry carrying an exquisite range of fresh produce, spices and herbs, and dressings. This, coupled with Chef Middle East’s incomparable range of bakery products from Bridor and Europastry (for Qatar and UAE contestants, respectively) and Stockman’s deli meat, a line of unique and premium Certified Angus Beef® quality, and whole muscle turkey matching the highest global food standards, gave way for the contestants to build some of the most delicious sandwiches with unparalleled flavour, texture, and consistency.
The grand finale hosted a panel of 4 industry professionals and experts who were called on to judge the culinary creations: Chef Sergio Freitas, Chef Instructor at ICCA, Executive Chef Dominique Richard, Chef Georges Chihane, Culinary Development Manager at Chef Middle East, Chef Howard Bender, Beef Products Director at Devanco Foods. Upon consideration, they unanimously agreed and chimed in, “Ultimately, it boils down to three factors: Presentation, Taste, and Creativity.” And so it was with much deliberation that Ali Sayed, Subin Joseph and Oscar Ivan Sanchez Avila bagged the first, second, and third position respectively. Chef Amit Siwach was awarded the Honorary Wild Card Winner for his innovative creation.
The Winners’ Moment
Left to right: Executive Chef Dominique Richard, Second Place Winner: Subin Joseph, First Place Winner: Ali Sayed, Honorary Title Winner: Amit Siwach, Chef Sergio Freitas, Chef Instructor at ICCA, Third Place Winner: Oscar Ivan Sanchez Avila, Chef Georges Chihane, Culinary Development Manager at Chef Middle East, Chef Howard Bender, Beef Products Director at Devanco Foods
Here’s wishing a hearty congratulations to all the winners, and the runners-up of The Ultimate Sandwich Competition as we wait for its next season; packed with flavour and action!
About The Finalists
- Anil Kumar – Chef de Partie, Pullman Hotel, Downtown Dubai
- Ali Sakr – Chef, Almana Qatar
- Ali Sayed – Production Manager, Hot Oven, Sharjah
- Amit Siwach – Sous Chef, Stars and Bars, Abu Dhabi
- Eunice Sunuwar – Demi Chef de Partie, Hilton Salwa Beach Resorts and Villas, Qatar
- Nigel Lobo – Group Executive Chef, Stars and Bars, Dubai
- Oscar Ivan Sanchez Avila – Senior Executive Sous Chef, Le Royal Meridien Beach, Resort and Spa, Dubai
- Subin Joseph – Chef de Partie, Hilton Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
