On September 15, 13 chefs from five-star hotels competed at St. Regis The Palm in Dubai in the first edition of the “Best Afternoon Tea Time in the UAE” award, organized by Candia Professional, Veliche, and Masterbaker, and hosted by Nicole Mrad.

The jury, composed of François Galtier (Bronze Winner of the World Pastry Cup), Steve Thiery (Executive Pastry Chef of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab), Ilhame Guerrah (Former Executive Pastry Chef of various 5-star hotels internationally), Tom Thomas (Senior Bakery Chef of Richemont Masterbaker School), and a member of the public, decided to award the first prize to Inara Hassanaly (Four Seasons Dubai), who will travel to France and Belgium to visit the Veliche and Candia Professional factories and receive a private masterclass in Paris. “Thank you so much for this experience, it was amazing. Everyone supported me, my family even from far were with me, it truly was incredible. I really loved to use Candia products because we already use in Four Seasons Jumeirah, Veliche was new to me but I really enjoy also”, she has told us.

Nayindra Chetry (Antara Palm Dubai), who came in second, says “It was a really great honor to participate to this event which is first in Dubai, it is the first time I used Candia & Veliche products but quality is amazing, taste, texture – there were no issues.” And Ravi Raj Singh Gour (Five Palm Dubai), who achieved third place, feels “happy today! Very good experience and very good products!”

For five hours, the contestants had to demonstrate their skills and talent by creating an afternoon tea set consisting of three sweet items, one gluten-free item, one local flavor item, and one sweet & savory item. The requirement was that all pieces must use one product from Candia Professional Signature Range (Gourmet Cream 40%, Whipping Cream 35% or Gourmet Butter) and from Veliche (Milk, Dark, White Chocolate, or Caramel).