Celebrating the Winners of Nestlé Golden Chefs Hat Awards Season 7

Nestle Golden Chefs Hat Awards Winner Season 7

The live competition for young chefs held at the ICCA Dubai saw the duo from Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek clinch the coveted trophy.

Chef Mohammed Fayis and Chef Aruna Praba Dias have won the Golden Chef’s Hat Award UAE Season 9. Both winners took home a complete professional photography kit and an iPhone 13 Pro. The two chefs representing Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek competed against 9 formidable teams from across the UAE in a nail-biting finish at the ICCA Dubai.

The top 10 teams competing in the live cook-off were shortlisted from over 20 teams that were selected and profiled along with their recipes in Gulf Gourmet magazine last year. The first and second runners-up were Chef Ramy Mohammad Eldesouky and Chef Dinesh Kumar of Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, and Chef Nurangi Madhubashini and Chef Islam Ezzat Mohamed Masoud of Caesars Palace Bluewaters respectively.

Ayça Koç, Food Business Manager, Nestlé Professional – MENA, says, “At Nestlé Professional we are thrilled to have been on this journey supporting young chefs. Since 2013, the brightest UAE-based young chefs from around the world, have showcased their skills through this competition. To see the innovative use of Nestle Professional ingredients by 40 chefs in Gulf Gourmet magazine followed by a live cook-off by the top 10 teams at the ICCA Dubai, has been a marvelous experience.”

Nestlé Professional ingredients used by the competitors included Buitoni® Tomato Coulis, the entire Maggi® Professional range, CHEF® Demi-Glace, KitKat® Mix-in, and Docello®’s range of Panna Cotta, Chocolate Mousse and Crème Brûlée powders.

The judging panel was made up of Chef Elie Lteif from Nestlé Professional, Chef Daniel Shepherd, Chef Atim Suyatim, Chef Wayne Gebhardt, Chef Vivek Huria, Chef Manzoor Hassan Bhalgari, Chef Shan Pussella, Chef Mohamed Ali Jasem, and Chef Truong Vinh Co.

Taking about judging, Chef Elie Lteif said, “The level of the dishes presented to us were truly exceptional. We had a tough task marking dishes on various parameters ranging from taste to wastage and from use of ingredients to the composition of each dish, and of course, the way each dish was presented.”

Chef Mohammed’s winning dish was a beef roulade with balsamic glaze and braised beef cheek with roast potato, pumpkin puree, Maggi® potato croquettes and beetroot flavoured Sago crackers. His teammate Aruna created a Docello® Trio Chocolate Mousse with Lemon Creme Brulé and Raspberry Docello® Panna Cotta with Cocoa Crumble and Berry Compote.

Recent Articles

  • When Ramadan Meets Winter article

    When Ramadan Meets Winter: A Chef's Moment

    Winter Ramadan changes everything.

    The sun disappears early. The air bites. Your guests arrive at iftar hungry from fasting and cold to the bone. They need warmth and nourishment working together.

    This season gives chefs a special opportunity. You get to create iftar experiences that truly restore people. Dates and water break the fast, then your food takes over. What you serve next can transform how people feel.

  • BANNER

    BRING AUTHENTIC FLAVORS TO YOUR IFTAR TABLE WITH MAGGI® PROFESSIONAL KHALEEJI SEASONING

    The holy month of Ramadan is a time when families gather, traditions are honored, and the flavors of home take center stage. As the sun sets and the call to prayer echoes, the iftar table becomes a celebration of our rich culinary heritage. This year, let MAGGI® Professional Khaleeji Seasoning be your secret ingredient in creating memorable iftar experiences.

  • BANNER

    MASTERING THE IFTAR RUSH: DELIVER EXCELLENCE WHEN EVERY MINUTE COUNTS

    Sunset during Ramadan brings the ultimate kitchen challenge: hundreds of guests breaking their fast at exactly the same moment. Every dish from aromatic soups to traditional main courses must be perfect, hot, and precisely timed. In these intense minutes, there's no room for compromise.

  • BANNER

    Treat Your Diners’ Post-Holiday Blues with A Colorful Treat

    As the festive season fades, many diners find themselves grappling with the post-holiday blues. As culinary professionals, we have a unique opportunity to help guests beat these blues and extend the spirit of celebration well into the new year. How? By crafting a dessert that’s not only delicious but also a visual feast of color and whimsy.

  • BANNER

    4 Ways Nestlé Professional Can Help You Start 2025 Strong

    In today's fast-paced culinary landscape, diners’ demands are emerging and evolving at lightning speed, primarily driven by social media's influential reach. The New York Times has aptly dubbed 2025 the year of "Taking Chances." Let’s explore how you can embrace this theme with Nestlé Professional.

  • BANNER

    4 Game-Changing Food Trends That Will Define 2025

    The food scene is evolving faster than ever, and your diners are hungry for more than just a meal in 2025 – they want adventure, innovation, and excitement on their plates. Let's dive into how you can transform these challenges into opportunities with Nestlé Professional as your culinary partner.